Read all about UJS Student Awards 2024!
Last Wednesday (27th March) UJS hosted its 16th Annual Student Awards to recognise the exceptional work of Jewish students across the UK and Ireland over the past year.
This year, nearly 250 students attended the event in central London to celebrate Jewish student life on campus and acknowledge the achievements of Jewish students this year.
It was amazing to see such a turn out on what is really a crucial and staple UJS event. UJS received over 200 hundred nominations for the 15 award categories, with a total of 80 nominations shortlisted.
The winning students received a certificate, trophy, and a copy of Rabbi Sacks’ z”l Haggadah. All shortlisted students also received certificates.
A fantastic night of celebrating the achievements of Jewish students across the country was wrapped up with an incredible silent disco.
Once again, a huge congratulations and Mazal Tov to all the winners:
- Tel Aviv Takes London - Israel Engagement Initiative of the Year (supported by UJIA)
- Huddersfield JSoc - The Jewish Enrichment Award
- Rebecca Myers, Bristol JSoc - Volunteer of the Year
- Cork JSoc - Social Action Project of the Year
- Adam Rose - The Sir Victor Blank Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Jewish Community
- Emma Levy, Leeds JSoc - Campaigner of the Year (supported by CST)
- Saul Sutcliffe, Edinburgh JSoc - Interfaith Initiative of the Year
- Ofrrie Haddi, Edinburgh JSoc - Inclusion Champion of the Year
- Sylvie Green, Bristol JSoc - The UJS Social Media Award 2024
- Jenna Morris, Nottingham JSoc - Sports Person/Team of the Year
- Elie Glaser, Edinburgh JSoc and Harry Isaacs, Bristol JSoc - The Maurice Helfgott Award for Leadership
- Nottingham JSoc FND - Event of the Year
- Emma Sherrard, Central School of Speech and Drama JSoc - The Alan Senitt z"l Award for Outstanding Contribution to Campus Life
- University of the Arts London (UAL) JSoc - New JSoc of the Year
- Warwick JSoc - JSoc of the Year
Sarah Wilks, UJS Head of Programming said:
“It was amazing to see so many Jewish students come together to celebrate their hard work and dedication over the last year - and to have fun doing it! It’s been a privilege to support Jewish students throughout the last year in facilitating and enriching Jewish life on campus like we’ve seen in the brilliant examples celebrated at the UJS Student Awards tonight. These are just a snapshot of what’s been taking place across the country.”
UJS President 2023-24 Edward Isaacs, commenting on the night said:
“In the face of the worst antisemitism seen on campus in a generation, Jewish students have responded with resilience and leadership, and the 2024 UJS Student Awards gave recognition to this work across the UK and Ireland. Jewish students have led campaigns for the hostages, rebuilt interfaith relations, begun new JSocs and so much more. As the next generation of community leaders, our future is certainly bright.”
Below you can find more information on the individual winners:
Tel Aviv Takes London - Israel Engagement Initiative of the Year (supported by UJIA)
UCL and Queen Mary JSocs teamed up to put on an incredible TLV takes LDN event selling over 200 tickets and providing an incredibly fun night for everyone, celebrating the best of Israeli music and culture. From a photobooth to magnets to a free shot - they provided an incredible night for all. They also donated some of the profits from the sell-out event to Magen David Adom to help on the ground in Israel in the backdrop of October 7th.
Huddersfield JSoc - The Jewish Enrichment Award
Huddersfield JSoc members came together for Friday Night Dinner in what was a very difficult time. Everyone had great fun building mini sukkot for a competition, learning about Jewish culture and traditions as well as a sukkot themed quiz.
Rebecca Myers, Bristol JSoc - Volunteer of the Year
This year the role of Bristol Hillel house warden was created. There could have been no better person to step up to this role voluntarily than Rebecca. Rebecca has been an invaluable point of contact between UJS and the Bristol students. Bristol JSOC are immensely grateful for all the hard work and time she has put in to ensure that Jewish students at Bristol have been able to enjoy a lovely space to celebrate being Jewish on campus.
Cork JSoc - Social Action Project of the Year
For Mitzvah Day, UCC JSoc joined other societies for a day of social action initiatives. This included a neighbourhood clean-up, winter clothing collection and swap, and litter sorting project.
Adam Rose - The Sir Victor Blank Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Jewish Community
Adam is someone who has spent their entire life dedicated to doing all he can for the Jewish community. As a former National Secretary of UJS, Adam continued his truly exceptional contribution to the Jewish community and it’s advancement. More recently as a partner at the leading law firm Mishcon de Raya, Adam has supported countless fights against antisemitism on behalf of the Jewish community, playing key roles in the EHRC submission with the Jewish Labour Movement, advising UJS on legal cases regarding campus, and supporting Jewish students in need of legal support and guidance. Adam has proudly found time to chair the Jewish community’s organisation standing up for Racial Equality, and recently led a significant merger with their American and international counterpart. He has given countless hours of advice and guidance to UJS Presidents, staff, leaders and students. And recently he has represented a number of the families of the hostages in Gaza, all pro-bono.
Emma Levy, Leeds JSoc - Campaigner of the Year (supported by CST)
Emma's Bring Them Home campaign showcases her dedication to bridging the gap between Israel and UK campuses. Following her visit to the Bring Them Home HQ, Emma joined with UJS to engage Jewish students in the UK with the pressing hostage’s crisis in Israel. The success of the initiative was further amplified by the sale of Bring Them Home dog tags, generating funds for the forum. This initiative not only brings attention to a critical issue but also demonstrates her ability to rally support and foster unity within the Jewish community.
Saul Sutcliffe, Edinburgh JSoc - Interfaith Initiative of the Year
As interfaith officer of Edinburgh Jsoc, Saul has achieved everything we could have hoped for and more! Despite a tense interfaith atmosphere in Edinburgh following the Israel-Hamas war, Saul did not let any challenges or antisemitism stand in his way. On 8th November, Saul partnered with the Catholic Students Union for an incredibly successful ‘Quiz and Meal’ event to promote interfaith dialogue, social action and education on campus. In addition to this interfaith event, Saul has also arranged for the Catholic Students Union to have an educational tour of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation (the modern orthodox Synagogue in Edinburgh). This event is evidence of his initiative and creativity in educating non-Jewish students about our religion, culture and history. He is currently working on an interfaith festival with the Hindu Society and the Catholic Students Union, whereby leaders of each community give a speech about their faiths and cultures, and traditional foods from each heritage is shared amongst the group.
Ofrrie Haddi, Edinburgh JSoc - Inclusion Champion of the Year
Ofrrie is the LGBTQ+ officer at Edinburgh and makes huge efforts to make sure there are safe spaces on campus for Jewish queer members to have discussions, chat, and share experiences. Since taking on the full role of LGBT+ Officer, Ofrrie has consistently gone above and beyond to advocate for the rights and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals. Through her proactive initiatives and innovative programming, she has created safe spaces where members of our society can express themselves authentically without fear of judgment or discrimination and feel seen within our Jsoc.
Sylvie Green, Bristol JSoc - The UJS Social Media Award 2024
Bristol JSoc's social media presence has been exceptional. Constantly engaging Instagram stories alongside regular posts have helped engage members in all activities. They have also added some humour and fun into posts to connect more with their members. We pride ourselves in our Jewish Student following and produce unique and interactive advertising posters almost every week. Our graphic designer, Matan Michaels, helps manifest a unique storyline or idea which is heavily curated and produced along the theme of the night.
Jenna Morris, Nottingham JSoc - Sports Person/Team of the Year
Jenna has been at the forefront of Jewish student sports in Nottingham. Helping set up the Nottingham JSoc Netball to organising the national JSoc netball tournament 'Nottsball' Jenna has allowed Jewish student netball to thrive. She has also ensured the JSoc feel connected to the team as well supporting all Jewish sport in Nottingham.
Elie Glaser, Edinburgh JSoc and Harry Isaacs, Bristol JSoc - The Maurice Helfgott Award for Leadership
Elie Glaser: Elie has led our JSoc through really difficult times on campus, all while remaining dedicated to our wellbeing and remaining incredibly positive. She has met tirelessly with leaders across the country as well as local leaders, such as Humsa Yousef Scotland’s First Minister, MPs, MSPs, University leaders, and the Scottish Parliament. Under her leadership she has fostered an inclusive and diverse JSoc. We’ve been so lucky to have her in Edinburgh.
Harry Isaacs: While life on campus after October 7th has been challenging for all Jewish students, it has been particularly challenging for JSOC Presidents. As Bristol JSoc president, Harry was not phased. Harry’s cheerful smile and friendly demeanour makes him a natural leader and Bristol JSoc was so lucky to have him to help guide them through some of the darkest days. Humble and driven, Harry is an inspiration to Jewish students and the whole community.
Nottingham JSoc FND - Event of the Year
For the first time in years, with the strong determination of the JSoc committee Nottingham JSoc held a cross-communal JSoc Friday Night Dinner with over 80 people in attendance, filling up the Nottingham Hatikva Synagogue. It was a great success with great food and with many students highlighting it as one of the best FNDs they've ever been to.
Emma Sherrard, Central School of Speech and Drama JSoc - The Alan Senitt z"l Award for Outstanding Contribution to Campus Life
Emma’s work on campus has been admirable, as she has revived the Jewish society at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, which for a period was inactive. The JSoc, although small now runs regular events, and had its first Friday Night dinner, which the Principal of the University attended. Emma has also dedicated much time to working with UJS and the University to fight antisemitism on campus and guide the university leadership on the best ways to support Jewish students. In her spare time Emma volunteers weekly at the Holocaust Survivors centre, and is part of the UJS leadership fellowship.
Aberystwyth JSoc - New JSoc of the Year
This year UAL JSoc have worked hard to make it an inclusive place for all the Jewish students at university of the arts. The committee has worked tirelessly so that all Jewish students have a community on campus. They have also worked with the university to make it a safer place and an inclusive place for Jewish students, and they have responded to this by working on changing our curriculum to be more inclusive for Jewish students.
Warwick JSoc - JSoc of the Year
Warwick JSoc has had an incredible year, significantly increasing the attendance at events and introducing loads of new events! We've gone from usually have 30/40 people at FNDs to regularly having around 50, sometimes even more, with numbers reaching around 70 in term 3 last year (this exec's first term)!. They have hosted wide range of new events that didn’t happen last year, and we've also started a football team and started regular Kabbalat shabbat services. In addition, we've been helping to keep Jewish students safe by fighting antisemitism and building and maintaining strong relationships with the University and the Students Union.
The full list of nominees for the 16th Annual Student Awards can be found here.