National Council Meeting Report – 11th November 2024

National Council Meeting Report – 11th November 2024

Meeting Agenda, 11^th November 2024

We began our meeting by discussing our work towards achieving each of our three objectives this year, which are:

We discussed the need for an online feedback form to encourage more contact between Jewish students and National Council. We then turned to our plans for a session at UJS Convention, which will provide those interested in running for National Council 25/26 with the information they need. We are keen to ensure that our work to revamp National Council this year is continued next year, so if you have any questions about applying for the role, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

We then fed back views to Sami from our series of conversations with Jewish students in recent weeks:

• The UJS Leadership Fellowship opening seminar received very positive feedback.
• Concerns have been raised over UJS’s AJAX Parade delegation, which Sami assured us is now sorted.
• Some students feel far more involved in JSoc life than in UJS, and we discussed how to bridge that disconnect.
• There is a great deal of excitement about the upcoming football and netball tournaments.
• UJS’s response to the violence in Amsterdam was raised (discussed in the next section).
• The speed of reimbursement was again raised, and Sami explained the process in detail.

Recent and Future UJS Activity

Then followed an update from Sami on UJS’s recent and future activity.

• The Leadership Fellowship started strongly, with the next two seminars now planned.
• The Sixth Form Fellowship is about to start, with a healthy number of applicants.
• Interfaith week is underway, with Bring a Friend to FND resources created, including an explanatory guide to FND customs.
• Mitzvah Day planning is underway, with most JSocs (and Nottsball) doing something for charity. JSocs should contact Sami or their Sabb so UJS can offer support.
• UJS Convention sign-ups continue to roll in, and preparation is well underway.
• Sami has met with Deputy PM Angela Rayner alongside other Jewish and Muslim women.
• Sami ran a meeting with three Kehillahs to discuss their concerns about UJS.
• After the violence in Amsterdam, UJS reshared the Dutch Jewish Students’ Union statement and reposted the UJS welfare hotline. National Council discussed with Sami how decisions are taken on whether or not to release statements after incidents.
• The sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence will begin next week. Plans include a podcast with JWA, Krav Maga training, period products provided to Hillel Houses and JSoc spaces, and a big social media campaign.

Q&A Session

Then, time was allocated for Q&A. A number of questions about current UJS policy were asked first:

• The decision was taken not to release a statement following the rise in tuition fees, in accordance with motion ‘CAMPAIGNS 12: UJS to lobby the government to lower student tuition fees’. This is due to the multiple other priorities regarding engagement with the government.
• Given Sami and team are focussing on IRGC proscription and more support for Jewish students and universities taking more concrete action, meetings with the government have not been used for the sorts of campaigns encouraged in ‘CAMPAIGNS 1: UJS urges the Israeli government to ensure that Palestinian civilians in Gaza have access to basic provisions needed for their survival’.  
• Following events at last year’s UJS convention, care is being taken to ensure this year’s event is more accessible for all students. An early coach from London is being offered to ensure there is no risk of traffic delaying arrival until after Shabbat comes in. All youth movements have been invited, and at least RSY and Noam will be in attendance and can support Progressive and Masorti students with services, etc.
• UJS’s relationship with Israel Societies was clarified: Though JSocs are the only direct affiliate organisations with UJS, students in Israel Socs will still be supported as Jewish students. Programming will still align with UJS’s core value of Israel Engagement.
• Clarification as to the funding of sports events was sought, particularly in light of the upcoming tournaments. Reassurance was provided as to the UJS backing for these events.

Next meeting: Sunday 18^th December

Please contact one of the five members of the National Council if you have any matters you wish to see discussed at the next meeting!