UJIA Lead Now Launch 2009

UJIA opened its doors to 31 youth movement and UJS (Union of Jewish Student) workers to welcome the first cohort of UJIA lead now participants.

The 31 participants are from a possible pool of 40 which is an 80% success rate - an impressive statistic for the first year of the programme.

UJIA lead now is designed to encourage the recruitment of the best movement and student workers by showcasing the great opportunities this type of work provides for their future. UJIA lead now is a flagship programme that will enhance the benefits of movement work by providing an overarching infrastructure and support network to the people who choose to do movement or UJS work, both during their tenure and in their future involvement in the community.

Unprecedented in the community, UJIA lead now is endorsed by over 50 communal organisations and corporate businesses, a testament to the importance of strategic long-term investment in leadership development for the community's young adults.

Taking the next step with UJIA lead now will provide opportunities for training on a corporate and communal level. Movement & UJS workers will develop key transferable skills, enhance their portfolios, have access to short internships and be able to explore options for postgraduate or further study schemes.

The open day saw a range of speakers address the audience including, former BBYO member, Brett Wigdortz, Chief Executive of Teach First. Speaking from personal experiences in creating a national movement he recalled the ups and down of implementing social change. He endorsed their work by saying, "you cannot change the world in a year, but you can create a movement that can change the world."

In addition, twenty three organisations contributed to an internship fair, showcasing their organisations and detailing the internships they offer. These included: Barclays Wealth, BDO Stoy Hayward, Teach First, The Grove, Mishcon de Reya, Holocaust Education Trust, the Jewish Museum and Tzedek.

"UJIA has the experience of achieving excellence and we are recognised as having expertise in developing professional and lay leadership across the community. UJIA lead now is an important framework, ensuring that the brightest and best utilise their talents in our youth movements and UJS. UJIA sees this as a model of the opportunity for lifelong involvement in the community on a lay level and to maximise the experience in the context of a future career path," Nicky Goldman, UJIA Leadership Development Director.

"Thank you so much for today, it was excellent, and it's the first time I feel valued and appreciated by the community for the work I am doing," Jamie Slavin, FZY Mazkir (national director) and lead now participant in his 2nd year of movement work.

You can see photos from the Opening Day in our photo gallery