450 students graduate ORT JUMP as Hasmonean Girls named School of the Year

More than 450 students have graduated from ORT UK’s JUMP mentoring programme, with alumni returning as mentors and Hasmonean High School for Girls named School of the Year.

Around 500 students, mentors, parents, teachers and supporters attended the graduation ceremony in north London, celebrating another successful year for ORT UK’s flagship employability programme, which pairs sixth-form students with professionals from almost 90 industries to help prepare them for university, apprenticeships and the workplace.

Opening the evening, programme leaders Anna Black and Mia Lyons reflected on the programme’s continued growth, revealing that ORT JUMP now operates in 14 secondary schools across London and has expanded to King David High School in Manchester, with plans to reach further regions.

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Black described the programme as offering students “an experience that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom”, thanking the volunteer mentors, teachers and parents whose support makes it possible.

Lyons said the graduation remained the highlight of the ORT JUMP calendar.

“Celebrating with our ambitious mentees, our wonderful mentors, the dedicated school professionals and supportive parents is an absolute joy and confirms just how many people benefit from our life-changing programme.

“In fact, twenty percent of our mentors are ORT JUMP alumni who credit the programme with giving them confidence and clarity on their career journeys and want to offer the same opportunity to the next generation. We all had an incredible evening and can’t wait to welcome these graduates back as mentors in the future.”

Guests also watched a short film by JCoSS student Emily Rovniaguin, highlighting her experience on the programme and showcasing the creativity of this year’s graduates.

The ceremony heard from several participants whose careers had been shaped by ORT JUMP before they returned to mentor today’s students.

Ava Rose, who completed the programme two years ago while attending King Solomon High School, secured a solicitor apprenticeship at a global law firm A&O Shearman, after being mentored by solicitor Hilary Davidson. She told graduates she would return next year as a mentor herself.

“My experience is proof of what can happen when young people are given the right support and opportunities,” she said.

“Two years ago, I joined this programme hoping to learn more about a career in law. I never imagined that just two years later I would be working in the legal profession and speaking here tonight. To me, that shows the lasting impact this programme can have and why it is so important.”

Davidson, a solicitor at Debevoise & Plimpton and a former JFS student, encouraged students to embrace emerging technologies while recognising the resilience they had shown.

“The graduates today have shared an unprecedented challenge, having had their school career swing from Covid lockdowns to the cusp of an artificial intelligence revolution,” she said.

“But this is to their credit – their resilience will be their strength, and by nailing the use of AI tools properly now, they will have a clear runway to stand out as they join the workforce.”

Another former mentee, Josh Harris, returned after completing the programme at Yavneh College. Now a marketing executive at Paramount Cruises, he mentored current student Coby Arazi.

“ORT JUMP helped me when I was starting out, and I wanted the opportunity to give something back,” Harris said. “It has been a pleasure mentoring Coby this year. Watching his confidence grow has been incredibly rewarding, and mentoring has reminded me that you learn just as much by helping others as you do by being helped yourself.”

Arazi told the audience the programme had given him confidence and practical skills beyond the classroom.

“I would absolutely recommend ORT JUMP to other students because it provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from experienced professionals, gain practical skills, and build confidence for the future,” he said. “It allows you to explore different industries and ask questions that you simply can’t learn from a classroom alone.”

The audience also heard from Melanie Arazi, who has experienced ORT JUMP as both a parent and mentor. Two of her sons previously completed the programme, while she now mentors students interested in healthcare as a chartered physiotherapist.

“What have I gained from mentoring? Far more than I ever expected,” she said. “Every student I’ve worked with has taught me something. Watching a young person grow in confidence, discover what they’re capable of and take steps towards their future is a privilege.”

The evening also featured a conversation between award-winning journalist and broadcaster Nicole Lampert and Talia Shabatai, Director of Legal and Business Affairs at Island Records.

Reflecting on her own career journey, Shabatai encouraged students not to feel pressured into having every stage of their future planned.

“I think there’s no right path to finding your career or what you want to do, and you definitely don’t need to put pressure on yourself to have any of the answers,” she said.

She also encouraged students to embrace artificial intelligence, build strong professional networks and remain curious as they begin their careers.

Closing the ceremony, ORT UK chief executive Jude Jackson said mentoring was about much more than career advice.

“A mentor listens, encourages, challenges, opens doors, and sometimes simply helps a young person believe in themselves,” she said.

Jackson also announced plans to establish an ORT JUMP alumni network to help graduates stay connected throughout their careers before, she hopes, returning as mentors themselves.

The evening concluded with Outstanding Achievement Awards recognising exceptional commitment and creativity throughout this year’s programme. Emily Rovniaguin of JCoSS, Diya Dhani of Henrietta Barnett School, Zachary Jacobs of JFS, Klaudia Ralnikova of La Sainte Union Catholic School and Benjamin Bilyak of Hasmonean High School for Boys were honoured for their achievements. Hasmonean High School for Girls was also named ORT JUMP School of the Year in recognition of its commitment to the programme.

To support ORT UK’s work, become a mentor or find out more about the ORT JUMP mentoring programme, visit the ORT UK website.