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Raymond is a leading Jewish educational activist and is best known for being the founding CEO of JW3, London’s Jewish Community Centre.

Raymond studied at Hebrew and Jewish Studies at UCL, before getting his MA in Applied Anthology and Community and Youth Work, and setting out into a career in Jewish education. Raymond spent 7 years working with the Jewish Agency and UJIA helping Jewish educators and youth leaders across the UK and Israel.

In 2006, he became the very first full-time Executive Director of Limmud, a Jewish charity that provides cross-communal Jewish learning. With the breadth experience he has in Jewish education, should we be surprised that he is published in the “International Handbook of Jewish Education”.

In 2012, Raymond was appointed the first CEO of what will become London’s Jewish Community Centre, the only one of its kind in the UK, JW3. Finally opening in Oct 2013, Simonson has pioneered a number of close relationships that have made JW3 one of the cultural cornerstones of the national Jewish community, with events such as the UK Jewish Film Festival and lecture series with inspirational guests. Raymond also sits on the advisory board of Mitzvah Day and the London Jewish Forum, and supports interfaith initiatives through sitting on the Advisory Board of Amal which seeks to increase understanding of British Muslims among peoples of other faiths.

Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome, Raymond Simonson.