The head of an organisation which fuses modern Orthodox Judaism with religious Zionism has said that there has been a huge increase in demand for its resources since October 7.

Rabbi Andrew Shaw, CEO of Mizrachi UK, which runs educational programmes and community initiatives which connect Anglo-Jewry to Israel, told the JC that the charity “fills a crucial gap” and that it is “a constant presence in the life of the UK Jewish community, often without people even realising it”.

Among its achievements since its relaunch a decade ago, the organisation has trained eight rabbinic couples on its Mizrachi Fellowships programme. 

“These couples are steeped in both a love of Israel and for the modern Orthodox world,” said Rabbi Shaw. Most of the couples now work in United Synagogue settings.

This year, to mark the first yahrzeit of October 7, Mizrachi UK launched the Simchat Torah Project connecting over 500 communities worldwide with Torah covers embroidered with the names of the people who were murdered during Hamas’ terrorist attack and since then in the war or in captivity.

In 2021, Mizrachi UK launched its youth leadership programme, Yehudi , to create a continuous informal education pathway from primary school to university.

Working in close partnership with other organisations, it also runs Sunday morning learning sessions for young secondary school students with LSJS and Thursday night programmes for older secondary school and university students, together with Bnei Akiva and the United Synagogue.

Additional programming since October 7 has included You Are Not Alone, a unique audio-visual evening of reflection and remembrance, Eishet Chayal (“chayal” means soldier), for which people could sponsor a Shabbat meal for a family where the husband or father was serving in the IDF, as well as a number of solidarity missions to Israel.

Rabbi Shaw told the JC: “The last year has proven that Jews, wherever they are, are connected to Israel, and it has never been more important to tune into that connection. We must educate our young Jews on what it means to have a love for, and to support, Israel and her people.”

The organisation has become well known for its annual Weekend of Inspiration, which featuring top Israeli religious Zionist rabbis, rabbaniot and educators, attracting thousands of people in communities across the country. The next one will be held in May.

Mizrachi UK is part of the global Mizrachi. An acronym for “Merkaz Ruchani”or “spiritual centre”, Mizrachi was founded in 1902 in Vilna at a world conference of religious Zionists called by Rabbi Yitzchak Yaacov Reines.

Mizrachi believes that the Torah should be at a central tenet of Zionism and that Jewish nationalism is a tool for achieving religious objectives.

Speaking on the eve of a match-funding campaign to raise £600,000 to secure Mizrachi’s future and to mark the tenth year since its relaunch, Rabbi Shaw said: “Over the last 10 years, Mizrachi UK has strengthened our community's ties to Israel, Judaism and the Jewish people. Mizrachi UK fills a crucial gap in the UK Jewish community, providing positive Jewish experiences led by inspiring role models. We are asking for the community’s support to ensure that we can continue to make Jewish life richer and more meaningful for years to come.”

To find out more about Mizrachi UK’s match-funding campaign on December 15 and 16, or to contribute, click here