Leeds UJIA Annual Appeal Dinner

Sir Trevor Chinn was the guest speaker at the Leeds UJIA Annual Appeal Dinner which took place at the Reuben Vincent Banqueting Suite. One hundred and ninety people listened intently to Sir Trevor who gave an evaluation on the current situation in Israel. He commented, " For all its pressures from outside of Israel it remains a vibrant democracy where the rule of law exists".

"The state of Israel is the greatest project the Jewish People have undertaken and its development is far from complete"

Israel's Ambassador Ron Prosor in a video taped message to those present outlined some of the programmes and projects UJIA is involved with in the Galil. He thanked UJIA for its work both in Israel and the United Kingdom. He praised the Leeds Jewish Community for its continued support of Israel. He noted the challenging times Jewish people faced globally.

"When the citizens and the State of Israel are under attack, the Jewish communities around the world are affected. Happily the bonds that affect Israel and the Diaspora cannot be broken, our history is connected, values are shared and futures intertwined."

Foreign Secretary David Miliband also sent a video message and praised the work of Sir Trevor Chinn and the Leeds Community. He was proud of the U.K. citizens he met on Israel Experience Tour when visiting Israel during the summer. He commented that "Leeds UJIA had been at the forefront in driving forward education."

Martin Harris Chairman of Leeds UJIA in his opening remarks paid tribute to his committee and that of Leeds Women's UJIA chaired by Norma Collins along with Richard Manning, chairman of Leeds UJIA U.K. Programmes Committee. Martin said, "The Leeds U.K. Programme is the envy of every UK Jewish Committee. The UJIA's work in the Galil is to be admired and complimented. We are seeing a true living bridge between the communities of the U.K. and Israel."

Alan Dunwell chair of Brodetsky Primary School Governors thanked UJIA for its support of the school and also for the programmes it funded both locally and nationally. He also praised the initiative of the Leeds lay leadership course that will have an affect on the Leeds Jewish Community both now and in the future.

Asaf Segev the Community shaliach was presented with a special Certificate of Excellence. This award by the Jewish Agency is for his outstanding contribution to a Jewish community in the Diaspora. This award is only one of three awarded in Europe annually.

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