JLGB Virtual wins JVN Award

The Jewish Volunteering Network has recognised four stand-out contributions during the past year, where JLGB Virtual won the award for Innovation in Volunteering during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Speaking in advance of the event, JVN chief executive Nicky Goldman said a tough year had made it “all the more reason to celebrate volunteers and the role they have played. It has been truly inspiring to hear all the stories of volunteers from the Jewish community and the wider charity sector.”

The Award Ceremony was held in memory of former JVN chair David Lazarus, who died from Covid at the start of the pandemic, the awards were hosted by broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky with guest appearances from Matt Lucas, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Facebook’s Lady Nicola Mendelsohn, and gold medal-winning athlete Colin Jackson. Dame Esther Rantzen and Robert Rinder introduced award categories.

JLGB Virtual’s series of online events and interviews have been running for over 45 weeks, since the start of the first UK lockdown in March 2020, with support from the #iwill Fund and Genesis Philanthropy Group.  All interviews have been hosted by young JLGB leaders aged 16-18. Past episodes have been seen online by close to 3 million people, having featured guests from across the worlds of politics, charity and entertainment, including the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Guest, David Walliams, Tracey-Ann Oberman and Rachel Riley.

With UK schools still closed and young people unable to attend JLGB groups during lockdown, the session will feature words of wisdom and inspiration from guests on JLGB Virtual, with a focus on the power and importance of positivity, kindness and community. The stars are excited to hear questions from JLGB’s young leaders from across the country and to thank them for their outstanding volunteering efforts.

Milestones to mark JLGB’s 125^th anniversary

This exciting reunion event helps mark JLGB’s 125^th anniversary, with celebrations that began in 2020 being carried on into 2021 following disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Although JLGB’s 125^th anniversary plans have changed radically due to the pandemic, the charity has adapted in fine style.

As well as announcing HRH the Prince of Wales as its new Patron in September, JLGB Virtual were finalists for the upcoming Children and Young People Now Awards and are so proud to have won the JVN Award for its innovative, digital adaptations to support young people and families during the pandemic.

You can watch all our celebrities, politicians and inspiring speakers 

live in our youth-led interview right here, or on social media at: 

www.facebook.com/jlgbhq      www.twitter.com/jlgbhq      www.youtube.com/jlgbhq

About JLGB

The JLGB strives to help develop a society that values Jewish young people and their contributions to their local and wider communities. JLGB aims to make every effort to train, develop and support Jewish young people through their transition from young person to adult to become active citizens in society.

JLGB offers essential life skills and experiences to help young Jewish people transition from empowered youth to engaged young adult. JLGB believe in young people not only as leaders of tomorrow, but as a powerful force for positive change in society today. By removing faith barriers to participation in a fun, flexible yet safe, structured environment, JLGB ensures and enables each Jewish person to reach their future potential. 

About the #iwill Fund

• The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £50 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.
• The #iwill Fund brings together a group of organisations who all contribute funding to embed meaningful social action into the lives of young people.
• The #iwill Fund supports the aims of the #iwill campaign - to make involvement in social action a part of life for young people, by recognising the benefit for both young people and their communities.
• By bringing together funders from across different sectors and by making sure that young people have a say in where the funding goes – the #iwill Fund is taking a collaborative approach.

About Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG)

Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG) is a global family of foundations, co-founded by Mikhail Fridman, an international businessman, investor and philanthropist and his business partners. GPG focuses its work on three areas of critical importance to the Jewish people around the world: strengthening bonds and common understanding between Jews living in Israel and throughout the world; strengthening Jewish identity of Russian-speaking Jews worldwide; and supporting pillar Jewish organisations of the United Kingdom Jewish community in their efforts to provide meaningful and innovative opportunities for Jewish engagement to children, young families and young adults. Please visit www.gpg.org for more details.