The newly elected chair of UJIA has said that he has “never felt more committed to the unity of the Jewish people and to the importance of standing shoulder to shoulder with our Israeli brothers and sisters”.

Zvi Noé, who will be taking up the role next April, was speaking after visiting Israel to see the work UJIA and its partner organisations were doing with survivors of the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7. He said: “Meeting people who have lost family members, parents of hostages and evacuated children will stay with me forever. UJIA will be there not just for the physical rebuilding but in addressing the mental scars.”

Noé, who will be taking over from current chair Louise Jacobs, was appointed a UJIA trustee in 2022, contributing to its policy and strategic development. He said: “Our focus right now is with the families grieving loved ones and waiting for news of those still held captive. But we also remain committed to our long-term goals of providing unparalleled opportunities for our community’s young people to strengthen their connection to Israel and the Jewish people.” 

As well as his new role, Noé is a trustee of the London School of Jewish Studies, the Rachel Charitable Trust and a trustee and founder of One Great Day, which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and other children’s health charities.

The father of five, who works in real estate, paid tribute to Jacobs’ “exceptional service”, adding: “I look forward to working closely with UJIA’s chief executive Mandie Winston and her excellent team.”

Jacobs said that after completing a full six-year term as chair, it had “been a privilege to serve UJIA and connect our community and young people with Israel. In handing over to Zvi, I know that I am leaving UJIA in brilliant hands. He shares the same passion for communal unity, Zionism, active inclusion and our young people’s connection to Israel across all religious denominations that drives everything we do at UJIA.”

UJIA chief executive Mandie Winston said: “Louise’s contribution to UJIA, to Israel and to the British Jewish community has been immense and we will carry on working for the goals she is so passionate about - supporting vulnerable communities in Israel and young people in the UK Jewish community.

She added: “I am very much looking forward to working closely with Zvi as UJIA and our community goes from strength to strength.”