Teen leaders fight discrimination through social action at Alan Senitt graduation

More than 100 teenagers from 10 London schools have been recognised for their commitment to interfaith cooperation and social action at the 2025 Alan Senitt Upstanders Leadership Programme graduation.

Held on 3 July, just days before the 19th anniversary of Alan Senitt’s death, 9 July, the event paid tribute to the late Jewish activist’s legacy of tolerance and civic leadership by showcasing student-led projects addressing inequality, discrimination and poverty.

The programme is facilitated by Maccabi GB on behalf of The Alan Senitt Memorial Trust, through its educational initiatives Stand Up! Education Against Discrimination and Streetwise. The seven-month scheme brought together pupils from Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and non-faith backgrounds to build leadership skills and forge bonds across communities.

Participating schools included JFS, Immanuel College, JCoSS, Yavneh College, King Solomon High, Hendon School, Copthall School, Nower Hill, Guru Nanak Sikh Academy and Watford Grammar School for Boys.

Each school group developed its own anti-discrimination initiative. One team tackled low literacy rates at a local primary school by organising a book drive and creating their own vocabulary-rich children’s story. Another partnered with a hospital’s ‘Parent in Need’ team to distribute baby packs – complete with bottles, nappies and blankets – after securing donations from high street retailers. A third group addressed child poverty by preparing over 200 packs with food, toys and activities for a charity Easter event.

Emma Senitt, Chair of The Alan Senitt Memorial Trust, gave the keynote address and told students: “You’ve shown us what it means to be an Upstander, not a bystander. You’ve led with empathy. You’ve built bridges. You’ve created change.”

Reflecting on her brother’s memory, she added: “Alan was a passionate leader, a bridge-builder and a believer in community. He worked across backgrounds and faiths, always lifting others up and believing that together is better than apart.”

“Next year marks 20 years since Alan’s death, and while we miss him every day, what we see in this room – and in the alumni who came before you – is the legacy of his values: courage, compassion, leadership and action.”

The graduation ceremony opened with a welcome from Abi Wander, Manager of the Streetwise Project, who praised the young leaders and celebrated the success of the revamped programme.

Maccabi GB Chairman Jonathan Prevezer also addressed the graduates, sharing reflections on the programme’s lasting impact and his hopes for the cohort’s continued leadership journey.

Facilitators delivered eight full-day seminars and individual school visits throughout the year, incorporating interactive workshops, leadership training, and sessions from anti-discrimination experts. Students then devised and fundraised for their projects, many of which will leave a lasting legacy in their schools.

The 2025 graduation marked the largest cohort in the programme’s history, demonstrating growing demand for youth-led action in an increasingly polarised world.