Posted on: 26th July 2026

We are writing to you having been honoured and proud to be taking on the roles of Co-Chairs of the Council of Christians and Jews Leeds branch.

The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) is the leading nationwide forum for Christian-Jewish engagement.

Both of us have been active in the fabric of local and national interfaith initiatives for many years. Simon was most recently Director of Interfaith for the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, member and past Chair of Concord Interfaith Fellowship, Board member and past Vice-Chair of Leeds Faiths Forum, a member of Leeds City Council's Strategic Faith Leaders and Religion or Belief Hub, as well as being involved in collaborative work around faith responses to climate change and violence against women and girls. 

Helen is Director of Parcevall Hall, the Retreat House of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, set in the Yorkshire Dales. It is a peaceful place for people of all faiths and no religious faith to come for rest and renewal. She has been involved with Leeds CCJ for over a decade, starting with encouragement from Tim Friedman when they worked on initiatives to raise awareness among Christians about the Holocaust. Helen has contributed to CCJ Scriptural Reasoning and worked on the CCJ initiative on Racial Justice. She values CCJ's engagement with the arts and commitment to justice and peace.

As Co-Chairs, we are keen to continue the regular branch events that bring Christians, Jews and other faiths together, such as the Annual Public Lecture and Winter Concert involving local schools, but also explore new ways to promote the work of CCJ and its vital role in building strong communities that live in dignity, understanding and fellowship. 

With your permission, we would like to add your churches to our e-mail distribution list for events and initiatives, and would welcome ideas from you all on future events and initiatives - all suggestions will be considered in the spirit of dialogue and reflection. Please contact interfaithleeds@outlook.com

With best wishes and prayers for a peaceful world that we can build together.

Dr Helen Reid

Simon Phillips

(Co-Chairs)