JLE evolves into Olami UK

The Jewish Learning Exchange has officially become Olami UK, following the rebrand of the Golders Green-based organisation dedicated to inspiring and supporting Jewish young adults across the UK.

Operating across nearly 30 countries, over 100 cities, and more than 300 programmes, Olami connects thousands of young Jews worldwide between the ages of 18 and 35.

Olami UK, now led by Rabbi Benjy Morgan and Rabbi Amrom Nemeth, says that, for the first time “young Jews will be able to engage not only within their local communities, but as part of a truly global ecosystem of belonging, connecting with thousands of peers worldwide.”

The organisation is also launching a digital platform, ‘Olami X’, to support in-person programming, and large-scale global experiences, including city-wide events, “mega” Friday night dinners, immersive Shabbat experiences, international trips and retreats, business networks and professional summits, mentorship, learning, and leadership opportunities.

Based in London, Rabbi Morgan will serve as global head of Olami X, alongside his role as chief executive of Olami UK.

Rabbi Avi Cassel, executive vice president of Olami and managing director of North America and English-speaking countries, said: “We have watched Rabbi Benjy Morgan build JLE into something truly exceptional over the past decade – a model of excellence in engaging and inspiring young Jewish adults. His vision, energy, and leadership have had a transformative impact in the UK and beyond.”

He added that appointing Rabbi Morgan to Olami X is “a major step forward for Olami. His ability to think at scale, combined with a deep understanding of what today’s young Jews are searching for, will enable us to expand globally and rise to the moment we are in.

“In a post–7 October world, where so many young Jews are seeking connection, identity, and belonging, Olami X has the potential to meet that demand in a powerful and meaningful way. It is an honour to have him take on this role, and we are excited to see the impact he will make across the global Jewish community.”

Soon to be a grandfather, the forty-three years old father of six Morgan joined JLE fifteen years ago. He says: “We’re still independent, but being part of this network, we suddenly can allow our students to tap into a global sense of belonging. We’ve already seen amazing things; we did a Shabbat in Israel in January and usually from around the world, there’d be 20 people around New Year’s. But instead, I led a Shabbat for 1200 kids. We had a Friday night with a kid who’d been at the Bondi Beach massacre, and people from South America, and we all sang hatikvah. There was this feeling of, ‘Wow, we belong to the most incredible family, and we belong to most incredible people. And that’s the purpose of what we’re trying to do with Olami.”

The night after the Hatzola arson attacks in Golders Green, “literally two minutes from our centre”, the organisation had “the biggest turnout that we’ve had on a Wednesday night in many, many years.”

Morgan feels passionately that “we have an urgency to be there for the youth of tomorrow. We have young people who are not feeling safe in their workplace or university. They don’t have a place to express their Judaism, and some, if they don’t have places like Olami UK, will turn away from Judaism. They will be too scared to speak up, and we’ll lose them.”

He describes Olami UK as “a real investment in our country and our community’s future” and the work it is doing “energises me, because I can see in front of my eyes the impact we’re having and the need that people are knocking on our doors for.”

While the organisation is “proudly Torah Jews, based on Torah ethos”, Morgan notes that “the people that come to us, in many cases, over 35%, their parents don’t even belong to a shul. We’ve got people from Reform, from Masorti and people who don’t belong at all. Our goal is to really strengthen the next generation and to write the next chapter for Anglo Jewry. And that includes everyone, to bring them in and to give them the opportunity to belong, make educated choices and be inspired.”