Michael Abraham appointed new Chair of Aish UK
Incoming senior executive hails 'profound honour to serve at such a pivotal moment'
Aish UK has appointed Michael Abraham as its new Chair, succeeding Asher Steene.
Abraham, who will conclude a long career at investment bank UBS at the end of November, has also served as Chairman of St John’s Wood Synagogue for the past five years.
He will guide the educational and networking charity’s governance and strategic direction, working closely with its senior leadership team and trustees Daniel Green, Simon Fine, Ben Robbins, Josh Nyman, Josh Wine and Tim Cowland.
Abrahams said: “It is a profound honour to serve Aish at such a pivotal moment. My years in finance taught me the importance of clarity, accountability and vision — values I hope to bring into our communal work. Aish already carries tremendous strengths; my aim is to help amplify them and ensure we’re ready for the opportunities ahead.”
Under outgoing Chair Asher Steene achieved record engagement, with nearly 24,000 participations, 950 trip attendees and more than 5,000 Shabbat meals hosted during 2024/25.
Rabbi Naftali Schiff, chief executive of Jewish Futures and Aish UK, said: “Leadership transitions are moments of both reflection and renewal. Michael’s appointment signals not just continuity but an opportunity to raise our gaze. We are immensely grateful to Asher for his years of service and we welcome Michael with open hearts and high expectations.”
Aish UK operates across schools, 23 university campuses and young professional networks, engaging thousands in meaningful Jewish learning and experience.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
