WHERE JEWS CONNECT CENTRE FOR JEWISH LIFE. where jews connect

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1 WHERE JEWS CONNECT CENTRE FOR JEWISH LIFE where jews connect

2 Where Jews Connect The Centre for Jewish Life, located in the West End, is the only Jewish community space in Central London, that is not a synagogue. Located just yards away from Bond Street station, served by the Jubilee and Central lines, the Centre could not be better placed to attract young Jews who live or work across the city. With a cafeteria, lounge, meeting room and library, it is the perfect place for business people to meet, socialise and connect. Founded in 2008, the Centre is dedicated to providing social, educational and business events for young unaffiliated Jews of all backgrounds and nationalities, enabling them to connect with each other and their heritage. The Centre is a hub for young adults, predominantly those in their twenties and thirties. It is a place where they can come together, connect with each other, in a non-judgmental, relaxed environment. Our success can be evidenced by the weight of numbers. In just under three years, close to five thousand people have come through our doors. The vast majority of them had no previous or existing affiliation to anything Jewish and forty percent were young Jews from abroad living in the UK. A diverse programme of events facilitated by a dedicated team in a welcoming and warm atmosphere is what sets the Centre apart. Our ability to inspire young people in the beauty and joy of Jewish life, the richness of a Jewish identity, and to empower them to pursue a personal 2

3 Our greatest priority is to help Jews reconnect journey and to make a difference in the lives of others is what enables us to connect. Every Jew, no matter how observant or affiliated is equal. Our greatest priority is to help them reconnect. To make this happen on the scale required to revitalise Jewish life and the Jews of London we must continue to grow. To do this we need you to connect with us. CONNECTING ADA FEYGENSON RUSSIAN FRIDAY NIGHT 1 JUNE 2010 The CJL hosted an amazing Russian themed Shabbat dinner replete with traditional Russian Jewish food and ample amounts of vodka. But more than just an opportunity to nosh and drink, the dinner provided a forum where both Russian speaking and non speaking young Jews could meet and mingle. We also heard from several people during the dinner, including one who met his fi ancé at the CJL. The dinner fi ts with the mission of the CJL helping Jews from all backgrounds and nationalities connect with each other and their heritage. 3

4 Challenging Connections It is hard to think of a time in recent memory when being Jewish was seen as a bigger challenge. A constant stream of facts and statistics relating to intermarriage, assimilation and antisemitism all paint the life of a 21st Century Jew as a depressing picture. It is against this backdrop that the Centre for Jewish Life is working. The challenge must not be underestimated and the competition for time in the lives of young people is fierce. However we are dedicated to providing content that will inform, educate, stimulate and most importantly enable professionals in their 20s and 30s to connect. In doing so, the Centre for Jewish Life is not only adding to the vibrancy and diversity that exists within UK Jewry today, we are looking to build and develop it for the future. A key element in what we do is creating partnerships with other individuals and organisations in the UK and around the world. One of the greatest barometers for our success is when people who previously had no connection with the Jewish community become involved and engaged with one or more of the existing communal organisations. Looking at the lay leadership of UK Jewry, we are proud of our contribution and the way that the Centre s impact is being felt. Through meeting the myriad challenges head-on we are reenergising the Jewish community. We are connecting. We hope you will too. 4

5 Looking at the lay leadership of UK Jewry, we are proud of our contribution CONNECTING JOEL ROCKMAN SEDER 3 APRIL 2010 I was amazed at how international the gathering was and on my table alone there were two Brazilians, three Eastern Europeans, a Canadian, an Israeli and even a couple of Londoners! The translation of the Ma Nishtana into several different languages emphasised how truly global the evening was and helped to make this night different from all other nights. I am sure that many of the guests would not have attended a Seder if it wasn t for the CJL so Kol Hakavod and thank you once again. 5

6 Educational Connections YOUNG Jews expect and appreciate authentic content, provided through quality events where all Jews are accepted and respected for who they are. The Centre for Jewish Life runs such events across three strands: Education, Business and Social, with a strong emphasis on networking and creating connections. Our Education stream includes a diverse range of courses in academic topics such as Jewish studies and History as well as contemporary issues such as current affairs. We also offer lectures and speakers for those wanting to explore their Judaism in greater detail and these include Kabbalah, Holocaust & Anti Semitism, the renowned I Am Jewish course and a whole host of one-to-one learning opportunities. 6

7 In the past 2 years there have been 4,716 unique participants from 35 countries EDUCATION» Jewish Studies, History, Kabbalah, Holocaust & Anti Semitism, Current Affairs, Relationships, I Am Jewish Series, One On One Classes PREVIOUS SPEAKERS» Neville Abraham CBE GROUPE CHEZ GERARD PLC» Dayan Ivan Binstock ST. JOHNS WOOD SYNAGOGUE» Keith Breslauer PATRON CAPITAL» The Rt. Hon. Lord Brittan TRADE ADVISER TO THE PM» Sir Martin Gilbert HISTORIAN» David Cohen F&C REIT» Sir Ronald Cohen APAX» Mick Davis XSTRATA» Bill Browder HERMITAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT» Ellis Douek JEWISH DOCTOR IN THE ARAB WORLD» Lord Justice Rix COURT OF APPEAL OF ENGLAND & WALES» Roman Halter HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR 7

8 Business Connections SITUATED in the heart of London s West End, just a stone s throw from Bond Street station, it is hardly surprising that so many people working in the vicinity gravitate to the Centre during, and after, the working day. For this reason more than any other, the Centre for Jewish Life has become a hub for business connections, a factor enhanced by the outstanding events we put on specifically targeting the business community. Speakers as diverse as Neville Abraham, Chairman & Chief Executive of Groupe Chez Gerard and Mario Blejer, the former Governor of the Bank of Argentina, have entertained and educated our audiences. WPP s Sir Martin Sorrell, Xstrata s Mick Davis and Goldman Sachs Yoel Zaoui provide further evidence that the Centre for Jewish Life can attract the finest business leaders to connect with the next generation of Jewish business and communal leaders. 8

9 A total of 32,248 people have attended 328 events BUSINESS» Business Forum, Philanthropy & Leadership Club, Property Club, Finance Club, Internet & Technology Club, Media & Advertising Network PREVIOUS SPEAKERS» Harry Handelsman MANHATTAN LOFT CORPORATION» Gerald Hines HINES» Rabbi Simon Jacobson MEANINGFUL LIFE CENTER» Anthony Julius MISHCON DE REYA» Jack Kagan HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR» Freddie Knoller HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR» Dennis Levine BURDALE FINANCIAL» Sir Stuart Lipton CHELSFIELD PARTNERS» Ian Marcus CREDIT SUISSE» Edward Misrahi ETON PARK» Yoel Zaoui GOLDMAN SACHS» Yuli Edelstein MEMBER OF KNESSET 9

10 Social Connections FROM Friday night dinners (attended by five hundred people) to the now legendary Purim Party, the Centre for Jewish Life s social events really are a class apart. Art & culture, speed dating, film screenings and much more have ensured our attendance figures reach close to forty thousand people in the past two years alone. Our staple is the ongoing activity based around the Jewish calendar. With food and drink for every occasion in an environment that is warm, welcoming and positively Jewish, there is nowhere else in Central London that compares. Again, the figures speak for themselves. Young Jews who may never before have connected with anyone Jewish are now socialising in a Jewish setting with their peers. And, for over hundred of them, not only have they connected with people who become friends for life, they have taken their relationships from the Centre to the Chupa! 10

11 102 young Jewish people married someone they met at the Centre SOCIAL» Shabbat & Jewish Holidays: Friday Night Dinner, Shabbat Lunch, Seder Night, Lag BaOmer BBQ, Summer Party, Celebrate In The Sukka, Chanukah & Purim Party PREVIOUS SPEAKERS» Melanie Phillips JOURNALIST» Eva Schloss HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR» Rabbi Dror Shaul CHABAD OF INDIA» Michel Strauss SOTHEBY S» Michael Zaoui FORMER VICE CHAIRMAN OF MORGAN STANLEY» Jerold Gotel ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF JEWISH HISTORY» Mario Blejer FORMER GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK OF ARGENTINA» Glen Lewy FORMER NATIONAL CHAIR OF ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE 11

12 Connecting Generations The Centre for Jewish Life is driven by an imperative. We will not be the link that breaks the chain. The Jewish story, our history, heritage and shared experiences span thousands of years. And now, here we are. The connection between the past and future is with us. We take this responsibility seriously. We believe that a positive Jewish experience strengthens Jewish identity and enhances Jewish pride. This is witnessed every single day at the Centre as young Jews find an environment in which they can be comfortably Jewish. Individuals who walk in nervously, unsure as to whether they will fit in, invariably leave with a renewed sense of belonging. They make friends and, on occasion, meet their future partner. In short, they make connections in an instant that will last a lifetime. The Jewish future, the future of a religion and a people, begins in the Centre for Jewish Life. There is nowhere else like it in the whole of the UK and there is no other organisation that is reaching out to so many unaffiliated young Jews. But, our work has barely started. We are aware that the challenge is immense and the scope for impact huge. Our success so far is just the tip of the iceberg. To attract more people, to affect more Jewish lives, we need to do more. Scale and diversity drive our programming and enable us to connect with thousands of people every year. There is no limit to how much further the Centre for Jewish Life can go. 12

13 The connection between the past and future is with us CONNECTING RUTH WAIMAN FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER 29 NOVEMBER 2009 I did not know what to expect or who was going to be there but you made everyone feel very comfortable with your very warm and welcoming way. That Friday night put a spring in my step and made me come away feeling less lonely and more positive thank you again. 13

14 Connect With Us Young people are attracted by diverse crowds and large numbers. They want to meet people they have not met before in an environment that is inspiring, engaging and fits in with their lives. The Centre for Jewish Life has a reputation for attracting large diverse crowds on regular basis. The Centre is committed to providing events and programmes that young Jews cannot and do not access anywhere else. In addition to the programme range highlighted in this booklet, the Centre also offers courses in Art & Culture, Food & Drink, Films & Documentaries as well as facilitating job opportunities, Speed Dating, providing relationship counselling, premarital classes, an introduction service, mentoring programme, social action and a women s circle. In order to enable continued growth in the number of events, the number of new participants, and the amount of participants attending more frequently, we need your support. We are the place where young Jewish professionals want to go and we want to do more. The cost to put on our programming is currently 392,000 each year. We would like to double that over the next 3 years and widen our reach further still. ADVISORY BOARD» Honorary President: Dr Sam Peltz» Chairman: Rabbi Faivish Vogel» Mr Keith Breslauer» Mr Colin Gershinson» Mr Dennis Levine» Mr Edward Misrahi» Mr Conrad Morris» Mr. Martin Moshal» Mr Alan Samson 14

15 INCOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT BUDGET 2011 EXPENDITURE When two Jews connect, a third benefits. For more Jews to connect with each other, we need you to connect with us. There are a number of levels at which your contribution will make a real difference. To find out more, or to make a donation please call or info@thecjl.org Thank you» 10,000 BENEFACTOR» 5,000 PATRON» 1,000 SUPPORTER» 500 FRIEND 15

16 INSPIRATION The Centre for Jewish Life is inspired and guided by the philosophy and values of Chabad as passed on to all of us by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Blessed Memory. CENTRE FOR JEWISH LIFE Media House 4 Stratford Place London W1C 1AT t: e: info@thecjl.org Registered charity number Company registration number