Charity smashes fundraising target to send struggling young Jews to Israel

A charity which pays for Israel trips for young British Jews has torn through its fundraising target at an Independence Day business breakfast.

United Jewish Israel Appeal surpassed its crowdfunding aims, as the event on Yom Ha’atzmaut heard business leader Tony Danker tell how important such a trip was for him.

UJIA raised almost half a million pounds through the two, which will go towards “The Journey Home”, UJIA’s campaign to send more than 10,000 young British Jews on organised trips to Israel in the next three years.

With all donations being matched by donors, the cash will fund bursaries for Israel Tours – typically about £1100, for about one in five participants on the trips.

The breakfast was being held for the first time in three years due to Covid – and heard Danker, the director general of the CBI, pay tribute to the role Israel Tour had played in his own life.

He also analysed, for attendees, the threats and opportunities in the current and future UK business environment. Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely also addressed the breakfast, chaired by James Burchell, at the Montcalm Hotel.

UJIA chief executive Mandie Winston said: “We are thrilled by the community’s response which will ensure that every British Jewish teenager in genuine financial need who wants to go on Israel Tour will be able to do so regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Israel Tour is one of the best tools we have to ensure the future strength of our community.

“It was also fantastic to be able to hold our annual Yom Ha’atzmaut business breakfast. We are very grateful to everyone who came and all who gave towards this important campaign.”

Top picture: CBI Director-General, Tony Danker, and Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut at UJIA’s business breakfast (photo: Leivi Saltman)