By Marcus Dysch
1 min read
The new leadership team at the Union of Jewish Students will include a prominent political activist when it starts work later this year.
Liron Velleman will take on the role of campaigns officer, often seen as one of the most challenging and significant positions at UJS.
Mr Velleman, who is due to graduate from Leeds with a politics degree, was last week hailed as a “bright, young rising star” for his efforts as the student officer in the Jewish Labour Movement.
He said he hoped to see UJS run more events for students, including regional initiatives bringing together Jewish students from different campuses.
Last Friday the union revealed the names of the activists who have been appointed to lead the organisation in the 2016/17 academic year.
Zachary Confino will become a JSoc Officer at the union. He was last month involved in discussions between students and officials at York University following complaints about efforts to tackle antisemitism on campus.
Joining him as JSoc Officers will be Louise Cohen, who is currently studying geography at Nottingham University; Annabel Helman, a Lancaster University student who wants to increase UJS’s efforts to work with graduates; and Leanne Mitchell, a fashion design student interested in making UJS events more inclusive.
The new communications officer will be Hannah Sharron, who is currently studying English at Birmingham.
A number of figures will continue their roles working with UJS, including Josh Nagli as campaigns director, Emanuele Boccia as Israel Engagement Officer, and Stacey Abendstern as the representative of MASA UK, the group which works to connect young British Jews with Israel.
The team will be led by Josh Seitler, who was elected to be president in a nationwide poll of students in January.
Mr Seitler said: “I am extremely happy with the diversity of talent within the team and excited that we will have four JSoc officers keen to get onto campus and help support and encourage Jewish students to get involved.”
Leaving the union after two years in their roles will be Russell Langer, the current campaigns director, and Natasha Woolf, currently the communications officer.
