www.reformjudaism.org.uk

Reform Movement Celebrates Youth Achievements

Friday, 23 January 2009

Over 250 young people, their adult helpers and supporters, representatives and rabbis from twenty synagogues gathered for the Movement for Reform Judaism's first 'Community Youth Awards' reception.

The event, held at Finchley Reform Synagogue on Sunday 14th December 2008 , was for young Reform Jews from across the country.  Executive Director, Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, said about the event, "Young people are such a key priority for our community so we are thrilled to be able to recognise and celebrate their achievements at what will now become an annual event."

See the photographs from the 'Community Youth Awards' reception.

Jack Petchey Award winners were presented with their achievement medallions and winners of the Massuot-Community Youth Awards were announced. The Jack Petchey Scheme runs in London and Essex and allows each winner to spend £300 on youth or youth activities for their synagogue. Over 100 winners have been nominated for an Award through the Reform Movement. Each synagogue also nominated one Adult leader who was granted £1000 by the Jack Petchey Foundation to spend on youth programming. Janet Brand, Youth Chair of Edgware and District Reform Synagogue, speaking at the event, expressed deep thanks to the Foundation for enabling young people to be recognised for their achievements and explained how the money enabled their youth provision to develop and expand.

Massuot means 'Beacons' and is based around the concept of Tikkun Olam, 'Repairing the World', around which RSY-Netzer, the Zionist youth movement of the Reform Movement, runs its programmes. The scheme was launched nationally by the Reform Movement in July this year. There were six Massuot youth award winners, three for contribution to Reform Jewish youth and an overall synagogue youth provision prize, won by Wimbledon and District Synagogue. Each winner received a certificate and gold medallion. All those nominated received a certificate and those shortlisted received an 'Honourable Mention' certificate. Arieh Miller, Youth Worker at Sinai Synagogue in Leeds and winner of the Massuot-Outstanding Youth Leader Award, said "The atmosphere was electric and really enjoyable. These days young people get a lot of negative press, so it was great to have so many communities together celebrating young people. Many of our youths are really involved in helping in their community and synagogue, and this contribution is being recognised by the Movement for Reform Judaism through the Jack Petchey scheme and Massuot Awards".

Look out for the Massuot - Community Youth Awards 5769/2009 - who will you nominate?

Community Youth Awards Recipients

Massuot Award Winners and Honourable Mentions

Jack Petchey Award Winners

Finchley Reform Synagogue: Amanda Weiss, Leah Kravitz, Samantha Brunner, Adam Driscoll, Mark Ablett, Sam Hallowell, Jacob Brunner, Hannah Chapman, Charlie Sassienie, Julius Judah.

Edgware and District Reform Synagogue: Daniel Harrod, Emma Berg, Natasha Adley, Sean Landes, Hannah Mendoza Wolfson, Francesca Considine, Daniella Cudner, Aimée Lyons, Ben Braverman, Samuel Koch.

North Western Reform Synagogue: Lucy Kessler, Harrison Galgut, Deborah Blausten, Tamara Ledermann, Jemma Woyda, Michael Franklin,

Hendon Reform Synagogue: Michael Slavinsky, Jonathan Weitman, Mariel Stringer-Fehlow, Sophie Lassman, Michael Rose, Lissy Rose.

West London Synagogue: Joshua Heath, Jonathan Stone, Ayla Estreich, Sami Greenbury, Danny Estreich, Gabriel Pogrund, Rachel Singer, Hannah Adler, Rosie Moed, Nick Cohen.

Middlesex New Synagogue: Simon McKinnon Brahams, Daniel Highfield, Rebecca Miller, Jemma Gower.

Kol Chai: Sarah Robinson, Emily Adler, Jacob Hilton, David Lewy, Hannah Grant, Joshua Martin, Andrew Munk, David Grant, Richard Mendoza.

SWESRS: Hannah Turner, Samantha Preston, Greg Bracken, Chelsey Jay, Josie Diamond,  Daniel Murphy, Elliot Diamond, Jocelyn Levy, Adam Lind.

Bromley: Joanna Alexander, Jay Houlden, Nicci Shall, Orlando de Lange, Noami Lask, Sophie Shall.

Sukkat Shalom: Hannah Pedro, Eliot Curtis, Jodie Tiller, Georgina Cohen, David Pedro.

Wimbledon: Michael Hetherington, Shoshana Ish Horowicz, Joseph Mason.

Southend: James Fairman, Hannah Kinn.

Southgate and District Reform Synagogue: Jade Lee, David Masters, Hannah Minsky.

Adult Leaders Award: Ben Konyn, EDRS; Val Fineberg, MNS; Gill Yentis, FRS; Nikki Olins, HRS; Susie Fraser, Kol Chai; Judith Ish-Horowicz, Wimbledon; Richard Woolf, Southgate; Nigel Diamond, SWESRS, Elka Carr, Bromley; Sarah Stewart, WLS; Jocelyn Shepherd, Sukkat Shalom; Danielle Black, NWRS; David Sears, Southend; Nathan Servi for RSY-Netzer.