Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has praised JW3 as “a unique and essential” force in British life during a visit to the Jewish community centre on Wednesday, arranged by the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC).
Nandy, who took over the Culture, Media and Sport brief following Labour’s general election win, toured the Finchley Road hub with JW3 CEO Raymond Simonson before joining a closed-door roundtable with leaders from major Jewish charities.
“Arts and culture are vital in telling our national and local stories, bringing people together, and promoting understanding across communities,” she said. “Organisations like JW3 play a unique and essential role – not only as a hub for Jewish life, learning and celebration, but also as a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds.”
The visit, the first by a new Labour Cabinet minister to a major Jewish institution, brought together representatives from Mitzvah Day, Maccabi GB, the Jewish Museum London, Jewish Volunteering Network, Board of Deputies and the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester.
Lisa Nandy joins Jewish charity leaders for a roundtable discussion at JW3. Photo: Jewish Leadership Council
JW3 chief Simonson said it was “an honour” to welcome the new Secretary of State, calling the visit a chance to show how Jewish culture strengthens both community and wider society.
“Our mission to create open and welcoming Jewish spaces fits squarely with Lisa Nandy’s government remit,” he said. “It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the breadth of our work.”
Claudia Mendoza, CEO of the JLC, said the event was part of its effort to “amplify the voices of our member organisations” and brief ministers on “both our impact and the challenges we’re facing”.
The roundtable was chaired by Marc Levy, the JLC’s External Affairs Manager. It marked a significant early engagement between Labour ministers and the Jewish charitable sector after more than a decade of opposition.
