Future community leaders visit the community's past

Future community leaders visit the community's past - Daniel Needlestone

The new 2008/2009 intake of the UJIA Adam Science Foundation Leadership programme embarked on a journey through anglo-Jewry's history last weekend.

The first formal session entitled "Recounting Personal and Communal Narratives" started at the famous Rothschild Bank. Here participants met host Avi Goldberg, a trustee and founder of the programme. Avi was a friend of Adam Science, a young Jewish leader whose tragically short life was the inspiration for the programme. Jewish philanthropist Trevor Pears joined in the discussion giving participants a fascinating and honest insight into his personal and continuing Jewish journey. Participants were then whisked away by Richard Goldstein, head of UJIA Israel Experience and a Jewish travel and history enthusiast. Richard lead a tour through London taking the eager group through 1000 years of Anglo Jewish history via Bevis Marks, Whitechapel and Cable Street. Mirroring the past journeys of many of their grandparents, participants made their way from East London to North London finishing the formal part of the day at UJIA's head office with a concluding session led by Shelley Marsh, director of the UJIA Jewish Life Education Centre.

The meaty discussion reflecting on past successes and failures of Anglo-Jewry was carried on past the concluding session and into dinner. Though the meal fulfilled one appetite, participants were left with just a tantalising taste of what is still to come in the newly revamped leadership course.

You can see photos from the orientation day in our photo gallery. Please click here.