Alumni Profiles

Louise Morganstein ASFLP 2004-2005 Prior to the Adam Science programme I had been involved in volunteering with Unity (an integrated playscheme for children who are able bodied and have special needs), and AJ6 (a youth group for 6th formers) whilst at school. At university I continued my involvement with AJ6 as a leader and took part in anti-racism campaigning with UJS. However, after graduating from university I found myself without a 'cause' to focus on. Luckily for me, my Adam Science mentor in 2004 was Ros Collin the director of what was then called the Jewish Aids Trust (JAT).
JAT - now called Jewish Action and Training for Sexual Health to reflect its widening scope - is the only Jewish charity focusing on sexual health education within the community. As a doctor, I know how serious unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections can be, both physically and emotionally, and I was keen to put my professional knowledge and my leadership experience together to help inform the community on a subject that is so often ignored.
During my Adam Science year I became an educator for the charity, running informal sessions on aspects of puberty, relationships and sexuality for young people at youth groups and parents at schools and Limmud. Not only is it rewarding to know that I am giving people potentially life saving information but it is also really refreshing to be able to stand up in front of a room full of people and show them how to use a condom correctly!
In the past few months I have also become a trustee for JAT and am delighted to be involved in the running of the charity from behind the scenes as well as delivering the education. JAT is a brilliant charity that often doesn't get the recognition it deserves because of its subject matter and I am grateful to be part of the work it achieves. If anyone else is interested in being involved then I would thoroughly recommend it - please contact Ann Dorff for more information (admin@jat.org.uk)

Julie Bolsom and Gabrielle Baigel ASFLP 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 spoke about their involvement with Hazon Yeshiya:

Vision is the committee for the Young Friends of Hazon Yeshaya UK. We are dedicated to raising funds and awareness of the Hazon Yeshaya Humanitarian Network - a unique welfare charity based in Israel. The Vision committee was set up in 2004 to raise funds to support Israelis in need.
Hazon Yeshaya's services are desperately needed, now more than ever. Sadly there is a massive rise in poverty in Israel, so the necessity to provide continual support for this charity is growing worryingly fast.
This is just some of the work Hazon Yeshaya does to help thousands of people every day:
Soup kitchens: Hazon Yeshaya Soup Kitchens serve over 4.5 million hot meals each year at distribution points across Israel. Beneficiaries include 5,500 school children whose teachers have identified them to be in need of better nutrition.
Vocational training: Vision has chosen to focus on raising money for the vocational training programmes which Hazon Yeshaya run in IT, hairdressing and more. These will ultimately help people help themselves by giving them the skills and confidence to return to work.
After-school enrichment programmes: Provides structured after-school programmes for approximately 5,000 youngsters a year, including tutorials in math, reading, computer activities and sports.
Free dental clinics: Provides free dental care for the underprivileged. All areas of dentistry including specialised services are offered.
Bar and bat mitzvah celebrations: Organises Bar and Bat Mitzvah for orphans and children from abusive and broken homes. Approximately 250 children participated in 2006.
Clothes & Shoes: Hazon Yeshaya operates a warehouse set up like a department store where individuals and families in need of free clothing and shoes can "shop" in a dignified manner, select and try on merchandise, and receive personal assistance to find what they need.
Please visit the website for more information: www.hazonyeshaya.org

Rob Gershon ASFLP 2004-2005

I have been involved with the Kinloss community since moving into the area a number of years ago and currently serve on the board of management with specific responsibility for improving the financial performance of the synagogue and professionalizing and upgrading the shul's operations to become best-in-class.

I am also a founding governor and trustee of the community's new Jewish Primary School, Morasha, which opens this coming September. For more information on Morasha click here.

Beyond Kinloss, I am a graduate of the Agency for Jewish Education's ('AJE') teacher training programme, am a past trustee of the University Jewish Chaplaincy Board and work with the UJIA's Adam Science Programme for leadership in the Jewish community.

In a professional capacity, I am a partner at Lyceum Capital Partners LLP, a private equity firm in Central London. I am a qualified chartered accountant, hold an MBA from the Cass Business School (City University) and am a member of the CFA Society of the UK

The Pears Foundation contributes to the core costs of the Adam Science Foundation Leadership Programme and the Adam Science Foundation Alumni Network