About this talk

In this session, Clive Lawton, CEO of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, will examine the contemporary realities of the Commonwealth of Nations, the world's second-largest international organization. This network spans continents and includes a wide range of Jewish communities, from larger and more established ones in countries like Canada and the UK, to smaller and less-known communities in places such as Sri Lanka and Lesotho.

Does the Commonwealth still hold significance today? What are the strengths, challenges, and unique characteristics of the roughly 40 Jewish communities spread across Oceania, the Americas, Europe, and Africa?

In the second part of the talk, we will look at specific examples from different regions of the Commonwealth. Jewish communities in Cyprus, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and the Cayman Islands will be discussed, with a focus on their histories, distinguishing features, and their place within the broader Commonwealth framework.

Join us as we navigate the fascinating diversity and commonalities of these Jewish communities, and ask the bigger question: what role does the Commonwealth play in shaping and sustaining these varied Jewish identities?

About Clive

Clive Lawton OBE is the CEO of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, a Presiding Justice, and a Tribunal Chair for health funding issues. Honoured with an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016, Clive has led a distinguished career across education, healthcare, diversity, interfaith relations, and policing.

As the co-founder of Limmud, Clive transformed Jewish learning worldwide and helped establish Holocaust education for school-aged children. He has also held senior roles, including Head of a high school, A-Level Chief Examiner, and municipal Director of Education.

In healthcare, Clive chaired a hospital board and led NHS leadership training in London. His work in diversity included advising the UK government on race equality and refugee resettlement. He also served as a governor for London's Metropolitan Police, focusing on Public Order and Community Engagement.