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It’s time that we turned our intentions into actions

A conference on March 28 will give you the tools to get involved in Jewish activism

March 21, 2024 09:09
No To Terror rally in London (Photo: Gaby Wine)
Turning intentions into actions: Rally-goers at the No To Terror rally in London (Photo: Gaby Wine)
2 min read

In my role as vice-chair of the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), the last five months, as for us all, have been intense; a time filled with pain, anguish and challenge. I fear that these feelings are here to stay, at least for now. And yet, through this, I carry a sense of pride and hope which I like to think of as a silver lining during the darkness. Let me explain.

There is an extraordinary amount of invigorating, energising activism wherever I look. One powerful example of this was Shine the Light, an event organised by Daniel Turgel, Benjamin Peters and Joshua Kanter, which saw more than 300 Jewish professionals come together for an evening of solidarity and conversation at a time when people needed it most. I also look at the organised visits to Israel as means of support and bearing witness, and my ability to be part of a recent UJIA visit will remain a life-informing experience. Then there is 7/10 Human Chain, organisers of rallies and installations that have occurred over the last few months. There are many more examples of grassroots initiatives that have excelled in raising awareness and support for the community.

Throughout the events I have attended, a common theme continues to emerge: people want to help, be involved and give back. Our community is blessed to have a not-for-profit sector that spans welfare, education, security, Jewish life, culture and more. It is an ever-evolving, innovative space that is always looking to enhance its impact. This is where the people I’ve met and you, reading, come in. This is a time for our desires and our growing connections to deepen by going beyond conversation or thought. We need to harness intention into action. Our collective and individual energy and desire to play a part are vital components for the future of our communal organisations and grassroots initiatives.

That is why the JLC and Lead, in partnership with the Jewish Volunteering Network, are delighted to be hosting our Jewish Community Trustees’ Conference on 28 March in London (there will also be one in Manchester on 9 May).