Raphi Leon to be the next UJS President after second highest election turnout in union’s history
Warwick JSoc's Leon wins campaign in a nail-bitingly close final round of voting
Warwick University JSoc’s Raphi Leon has been elected the next president of the Union of Jewish Students following the organisation’s second highest recorded voter turnout.
The election took place at UJS’ annual Shabbaton conference over 28-30 November, with 1817 students voting, just 41 shy of last year. Key campaign topics including campus antisemitism, Jewish pride and potential, Israel engagement and regional expansion.
Glasgow JSoc’s Anat Kraskin, Warwick JSoc’s Raphi Leon and Bristol JSoc’s Jonah Levy vied for the top spot as the leader of the union representing 9,000 members across 75 Jewish societies in the UK and Ireland.
Leon won a very close election in the final round of voting, securing the presidency by just seventeen votes more than Levy.
Speaking to Jewish News, he said: “It’s an honour to have been elected the next UJS President, and have the opportunity to give back to an organisation that has shaped my own university experience so positively.
“I look forward to empowering Jewish students up and down the country, on campuses large and small, to take ownership of their Jewish identity and their Jewish student experience – I’m ready (and excited!) to embark on this journey with them.”
Mervyn Kaye, UJS chief executive said: “After a well fought campaign by three very strong candidates, massive congratulations to Raphi. I’m really excited to work with him next year to put in place his ambitious manifesto build on the work of the current brilliant team to continue to support Jewish students across the UK and Ireland.”
Louis Danker, current UJS President added: “Anat, Jonah and Raphi ran phenomenal campaigns, and their ideas, commitment and drive for change will shape Jewish student life for years to come. The state of our Union has never been healthier, with the second-highest ever voter turnout, and a buzzing UJS Convention. Congratulations to Raphi – I look forward to working closely with him as he takes up the role next summer.”
In the third year of a philosophy degree at Warwick University, 21-year old Raphi Leon grew up in London’s Swiss Cottage, has advised UJS Trustees on organisational strategy and represented UK and Irish students as part of delegation to the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS).
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