Postcards from the UJS leadership Fellowship trip to Larnaca and Nicosia
A 40-strong cohort learnt about history, built strong connections and explored vital conversations
It’s really easy to forget how much work peace takes, and most of the important work isn’t done by media figures or politicians. Instead, long term change is small and community focused.
Cyprus is an example of distance and silence creating a gap so wide it seems impossible to build a bridge over. The only solution is to bring people together and create productive conversations.
Going into the UN buffer zone was incredible – getting to see behind the scenes of a conflict and the work done to create long term peace was really interesting.
I see a lot of this reflected in Jewish student life too. How often do we distance ourselves and create silence? I know I personally have avoided the feminist society despite being interested because I saw how Jewish women were discarded by many non-Jewish feminists after October 7th. Did I remove a voice that could challenge anti-Jewish bias? Has my absence left Jewish women totally unrepresented? I’ve assumed every uncomfortable conversation has to end poorly – this trip has shown me that productively uncomfortable conversations make us stronger.
I’ve also learnt just as much from the other fellows. It’s no secret that Jewish people love a debate, but the range in perspectives across the group was really incredible. I’d describe myself as a Baal Teshuva (a Jew who becomes observant after having previously lived a more non religious life) – my family is very secular and I’m mostly in Chabad-adjacent religious circles.
Being able to discuss Jewish issues with Masorti, Reform, Modern Orthodox and Secular young people was really refreshing. We discussed everything from Torah, to Israel, to interfaith relationships and more. Seeing different opinions but a shared approach – commitment to understanding, learning and growth – was really uplifting.
I’m especially grateful for the other women on the trip. What it means to be a Jewish woman – your role in the synagogue, your relationship to Torah, how you pray, your career and family balance – was entirely different to each of us.
Especially with the range in backgrounds – what does Jewish womanhood look like in a non-religious and religious context, what do we share, what can we learn from each other?
I loved how open everyone was to the different paths we are all on.
Despite our differences, there was a mutual understanding and acceptance. I had a lot challenged, and challenged a lot in return, but I’ve only gained from these discussions.
- Tia Skinner, first-year student at Cambridge and UJS fellow 25/26
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.
