One of Anglo-Jewry’s most prominent leaders has said that the Jewish community has to “rebuild [its] ecosystem” to guarantee its long-term future following October 7 and the surge in antisemitism.
Keith Black, chair of the Jewish Leadership Council told a room of Jewish charity leaders: “There are lots of voices out there who are nervous about a Jewish future, how we’re going to deal with antisemitism and the problems that we see.
“We’re going to do that by looking after ourselves. We’re not going to expect anybody else to come to our help – we live in a liberal democracy, so we don’t have to feel threatened – but fundamentally, it is the work that we do around this table with [Jewish charities and organisations], as a community, building ourselves up, strengthening our organisations, bringing in the next generation – that will enable us to see well into the future for many, many decades ahead.”
In March, the JLC unveiled the Forge the Future initiative, an unprecedented strategy to safeguard the future of British Jewry. Its four-pronged approach aims to channel support to the community’s young, win allies and friends in wider society, strive for fairer media coverage and to coordinate legal action to protect Jewish rights.
Addressing the guests at the Jewish Volunteering Network’s (JVN) annual awards, which saw a record-breaking 105 nominations from 53 charities, Black said that since October 7, we had witnessed “activity, energy and commitment at a level we had never really experienced before. The amount of calls, the opening of doors and the support that this community has given to itself in a time of great challenge …As communal members, we’ve come together in an extraordinarily strong way”.
JVN award nominees (Emma Ziff Photography)
The JLC is the umbrella body for 37 communal charities and Black said the Jewish community was “particularly good” at stepping up.
xThe recent Community Life Survey, produced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, found that 47 per cent of Jewish adults were likely to volunteer monthly, significantly above the national average of 33 per cent.
He said: “The concept of volunteering is what makes us human. It is the fundamental difference between us and other life forms. That ability to commit oneself to help people who are less fortunate and people who need assistance…it defines who we are.”
With a 50 per cent increase since 2023 in the number of charities participating in the awards, the occasion also marked 18 years since the founding of the JVN, which matches volunteers with opportunities in Jewish and non-Jewish charities.
The awards, decided by an independent judging panel, headed by Dame Mary Marsh, recognised exceptional contributions across four categories: Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year, Young Adult Volunteer of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Volunteer of the Year Award went to Shirley Lane, who has been volunteering at JLGB for over 60 years, leading camps, mentoring young leaders and creating a team of older volunteers.
Outstanding Lifetime award winner Shirley Lane (Emma Ziff Photography)
Neil Martin OBE, JLGB Chief Executive, said: “Shirley Lane is the very definition of a living legend. For over 60 years, she has been at the heart of JLGB, shaping generations with her kindness, creativity, and unwavering passion.
On receiving her award, which was donated by the Citron, Sefton and Sivan families, Shirley said: “JLGB has given me so much – self-esteem and leadership skills - and I met my husband, Lewis, there when we were both warrant officers [with JLGB]. I’m just a drop in the bucket of what JLGB does for the youth of today to be leaders of tomorrow.”
The Wohl Legacy Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award went to Dalia Rudolph, who is a ‘big sister’ with Camp Simcha, supporting a sibling of young person with a serious illness.
Dalia Rudolph (Emma Ziff Photography)
Dalia told guests: “I am really humbled and honoured. I have been volunteering for almost 13 years as a Camp Simcha ‘big sister”, but we’ve been together for so long now, that she feels like a sister to me.”
Daniel Gillis, CEO of the Camp Simcha said: “We are thrilled to celebrate Dalia as the JVN Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, recognising her extraordinary commitment to the family she supports. The meaningful relationship she has built is a true lifeline for them, and her devotion, dedication, and kindness over many, many years inspire immense pride in all of us at Camp Simcha.”
Taking home Outstanding Volunteer Team of the Year Award was the House of Life Team from Willesden Cemetery.
Outstanding volunteer team (Emma Ziff Photography)
The team of 60 volunteers lead tours of the cemetery, which was opened in 1873, educates local schoolchildren and repairs headstones.
One of the team told the audience: “You might not think of a cemetery as a place to volunteer, but it’s a brilliant place, a most surprising hidden gem.”
Michael Goldstein, President of the United Synagogue, which oversees the cemetery, said: “We are thrilled that the volunteering team at Willesden Jewish Cemetery have won the JVN Outstanding Volunteering Team of the Year Award for their extraordinary efforts telling the story of our 150-year-old cemetery and the remarkable individuals buried there.”
The final award for Outstanding Young Adult Volunteer of the Year, donated by the Edwards family, went to went to Ruth Klajman for her work at GIFT.
Speaking via a video message from Israel, Ruth, who visits a care home and has brought friends on board to volunteer too, said that volunteering for GIFT had made her “a different person”, adding: “When I go to a care home, they always thank me, but I always say: ‘Thank you’ to them because of what they have given me”.
Michelle Barnett MBE, GIFT Founding Director said: “We were delighted that Ruth Klajman was chosen by your panel to win the JVN Outstanding Young Adult Volunteer of the Year Award. She truly is an outstanding young lady. She cares so deeply about the people she visits and befriends and goes above and beyond, inspiring her friends to volunteer too.”
Nicky Goldman JVN’s chief executive, said afterwards: “It was heartwarming and inspiring to celebrate the incredible contributions of volunteers at the JVN Awards. As we mark JVN’s 18th year, it’s amazing to reflect on how far we’ve come since Judy Citron z”l and Susan Winton first envisioned JVN around Judy’s kitchen table.
“Our community is leading the way in giving back. We encourage everyone to inspire one friend or family member to try volunteering in 2025 and help grow this remarkable movement. Thank you to the charities and volunteers who make this all possible—your dedication to volunteering is the true heart of JVN.”
Speakers at the event at the Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire included JVN Chairman Daniel Levy, who shared personal letters congratulating JVN from the King’s private secretary and President of Israel Isaac Herzog, alongside JVN co-founder Susan Winton. It was compered by Nigel Rothband.
