Difference between revisions of "United Jewish Israel Appeal"
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown addressed the UJIA 2008 appeal dinner where he delivered a speech on the subject of irresponsibility in the financial system. Brown argued that 'When risk-taking crosses the line between the responsible entrepreneurship we want to celebrate and irresponsible risk-taking then we have to take action to ensure that markets work in the public interest to reflect shared values'<ref>London, Britain mulls extending bank guarantee, ''Agence France Presse'', 6-October-2008</ref> | Prime Minister Gordon Brown addressed the UJIA 2008 appeal dinner where he delivered a speech on the subject of irresponsibility in the financial system. Brown argued that 'When risk-taking crosses the line between the responsible entrepreneurship we want to celebrate and irresponsible risk-taking then we have to take action to ensure that markets work in the public interest to reflect shared values'<ref>London, Britain mulls extending bank guarantee, ''Agence France Presse'', 6-October-2008</ref> | ||
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| + | Brown also used the dinner as a platform to make clear that his Government 'would oppose any boycott of Israeli goods or Israeli academics'.<ref>Home News, Home News, ''Press Association'', 6-October-2008</ref> | ||
===Other Events=== | ===Other Events=== | ||
Revision as of 15:55, 3 October 2011
The United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA) is 'Britain's major fund-raising organization for Israel'.[1] According to the Press Association the fundraising initiative is a successor to the Zionist Organisation and was run from the same London offices (It was also known as the British Olim Society).[2][3] The UJIA are also responsible for managing migration into Israel from the United Kingdom, Australia, Scandinavia, and Germany.[4] The organisation are heavily reliant on funding from the state of Israel, their status was described as being 'in jeopardy' in 1999 when funding decisions by the Israeli government were delayed.[5] In 2008 it was reported that the organisation had an annual income in excess of £18 million.[6]
The Vice-Chairman of the UJIA is Michael Levy who was the chief fundraiser for Tony Blair during his time as Labour Party leader and Prime Minister.[7] In 1994 the UJIA offices in London were bombed as well as the Israeli embassy following the signature of a peace agreement between Israel and Jordan.[8]
Contents
- 1 Activities
- 1.1 UJIA Blair Scholarships
- 1.2 1998 Annual Fundraising Dinner
- 1.3 2002 Annual Appeal Auction
- 1.4 2002 Shaul Mofaz Events
- 1.5 2003 Rudolph Giuliani Visit to Bolton
- 1.6 2004 Annual Fundraising Dinner
- 1.7 2005 Gallilee Development Fund
- 1.8 Foreign Secretary David Miliband Hosting Annual UJIA Patrons Dinner 2008
- 1.9 2008 Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership (BIRAX)
- 1.10 2008 United Jewish Israel Appeal dinner addressed by Gordon Brown
- 1.11 Other Events
- 2 People
- 3 Organisational Structure
- 4 Associated organisations
- 5 Affiliations
- 6 Notes
Activities
UJIA Blair Scholarships
In 1998 Tony Blair, then UK Prime Minister, launched a British-Israeli youth exhange program on a visit to Israel which coincided with the 50th anniversary of Israel. The grants were named 'UJIA-Blair Fellowships'.[9] The program was designed to bring 'British youngsters completing high school to work here [Israel] in development towns, on kibbutzim, and to learn about the IDF and other elements of Israeli society'.[10]
1998 Annual Fundraising Dinner
The UJIA fundraising dinner of 1998 was addressed by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. In the same week of Netanyahu's address he met with then Prime Minister Tony Blair and foreign secretary Robin Cook. The previous week the two countries signed a 'memorandum of understanding' aimed at creating greater military co-operation through 'joint research in defense technologies and information exchanges'.[11]
2002 Annual Appeal Auction
In 2002 the UJIA held a fundraising auction hosted by footballer turned actor Vinnie Jones. A range of football shirts were auctioned off including those of English Premiership footballers Michael Owen and David Beckham. One auction winner paid £40,000 to spend Christmas with Vinnie Jones.[12]
2002 Shaul Mofaz Events
In 2002 the UJIA held a dinner at the Hilton hotel in Glasgow where the guest speaker was Shaul Mofaz, the former Israeli army chief of staff.[13] Mofaz also spoke at events in Leeds and Liverpool.[14] All of these events attracted protests because of Mofaz's role in 'Operation Defensive Shield' where 'Israeli forces invaded the West Bank and occupied and sealed off the Palestinian towns of Jenin and Ramallah'.[15]
The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Alex Mosson described Mofaz's visit as a 'shameful stain on the city's reputation' because 'General Mofaz was in charge during some of the most horrendous military attacks on Palestinian civilians; men, women, and children' he denied that Glasgow City Council had any involvement in arranging the event and argued that the sole organisers had been the UJIA.[16]
2003 Rudolph Giuliani Visit to Bolton
In 2003 former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani visitied Bolton in a trip arranged by the UJIA. The main point of his talk was to increase support for the pending invasion of Iraq. In order to do this he warned that he 'shared President George W Bush's concern that Saddam (Hussein) had weapons of mass destruction'.[17]
2004 Annual Fundraising Dinner
In 2004 former U.S. talk show host Jerry Springer was invited by the UJIA to be guest speaker at their annual fundraising dinner. Springer was criticised for being an inappropriate choice of guest speaker.[18]
2005 Gallilee Development Fund
In 2005 Shimon Peres set up a fund and recruting initiative to attract investors interested in developing Gallilee. The fund was headed by UJIA president Brian Kerner. Peres described 'developing the Galilee and Negev' as 'the most important Zionist goal of the 2000s'.[19]
Foreign Secretary David Miliband Hosting Annual UJIA Patrons Dinner 2008
In 2008, David Miliband was a guest of honour and host at the Annual UJIA Partons Dinner. The event took place at the Foreign Office where Miliband welcomed 160 UJIA members. Miliband was introduced by UJIA President Trevor Chinn. At the dinner, Chinn 'recalled the time they spent together in Israel visiting Gap Year students' (during Miliband's first year as foreign secretary), he also described Milliband as a "clever and courageous Foreign Secretary.”
Miliband is reported to have said that it was “a privilege to be amongst friends”. In his speach he described the UJIA as “an organisation with an inclusive vision of Zionism” that the 'whole of Britain' can take inspiration from. He described the organiation as not being "scared to put itself in danger and teaches us that it is Israel which breathes new life into Jewish people".
Miliband also divulged that he had hosted the Foreign Office’s first Chanukah party in December 2007.
In giving thanks, UJIA Chairman Mick Davis spoke of his belief that 'Jewish identity is a healthy way of acknowledging Israel and is a legacy Jewish parents must leave their children'. In concluding he stated that these are needs that must to be met “today, tomorrow and forever.”[20] The meeting was attended by controversial Labour Party donor David Martin Abrahams.[21]
2008 Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership (BIRAX)
On a visit to Israel in 2008 Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to develop a Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership (BIRAX).[22] UJIA helped to kickstart the initiative with a donation of £200,000.[23] Mike Cushman of the London School of Economics argued that Universities should avoid the scheme, saying:
- 'Much of the finance for these partnerships is clearly coming from parts of the private and voluntary sectors that are allied to Israel ... We are urging our colleagues not to touch any of this funding with a bargepole. It is blood money and they should recognise it as such'.[24]
Cushman's comments were made in the context of the academic boycott of Israel which played a role in the devlopment of the Birax scheme according to Professor David Newman of Ben Gurion University. Newman who had been involved in planning the program from the beginning argued that the program 'has a great deal to do with the boycott' adding:
- 'Because of the ongoing discussion of boycotts the British government decided that the most appropriate response was to strengthen research ties'.[25]
2008 United Jewish Israel Appeal dinner addressed by Gordon Brown
Prime Minister Gordon Brown addressed the UJIA 2008 appeal dinner where he delivered a speech on the subject of irresponsibility in the financial system. Brown argued that 'When risk-taking crosses the line between the responsible entrepreneurship we want to celebrate and irresponsible risk-taking then we have to take action to ensure that markets work in the public interest to reflect shared values'[26]
Brown also used the dinner as a platform to make clear that his Government 'would oppose any boycott of Israeli goods or Israeli academics'.[27]
Other Events
The UJIA also hold an 'annual property reception'[28]and an 'annual ladies luncheon'.[29]
People
Source:[1]
Honorary Presidents
- The Lord Levy,
- Chief Rabbi Professor Jonathan Sacks,
- The Rt. Hon. The Lord Woolf
Honorary Vice-Presidents
The Lord Janner QC, Sir Jack Lyons, The Lord Mischon QC DL, Gerald M Ronson, Cyril Stein, Fred S Worms OBE
Presidents
Sir Trevor Chinn CVO, Brian Kerner*
- Vice Presidents Stanley Cohen OBE, Alan Fox, Ronald Preston, Stephen Rubin OBE, Sir Harry Solomon, Anthony Spitz
- Chairman David M Cohen*
- Vice Chairmen Michael Bradfield*, Geoffrey Ognall*, Michael Ziff*
- Campaign Chairman Michael Lewis
Programme Chairman
Michael Goldstein
Renewal Chairman
Dr Anthony Warrens
Communications Chairman
Michael Bradfield*
Training and Development Chairman
Jerome Reback
Honorary Treasurer
Peter C Leach FCA*
Members
Melvin Berwald, Sir Victor Blank, Andrew Brecher, Caroline Buchler, David Buchler, James Burchell, Sam Clarke*, Joy Cohen, Michael Davis, Allan Fisher, David Franklin, Alan Jacobs*, Stefan Kerner, Benjamin Leon* Natalie Lesser, Michael Lewis*, Steven Martin, Gary Phillips*, Jerome Reback*, Andrew Rubin, Carrie Rubin, William Sharron, Jo Wagerman OBE, Dr Anthony Warrens Roberta Wolens
Douglas Krikler - UJIA Chief Executive was awarded 33rd place in the Jewish Chronicle's top 100 'of those who wield the greatest influence on British Jewry' which reports him as 'running a tight ship'[30].
- Trustees of the United Jewish Israel Appeal
UJIA Israel
Chairman
David Franklin
Director
Natan Golan
Campaign Chairman
Michael Lewis
Fundraising Director:
Ido Mazursky*
2004 Campaign Annual Dinner
Chairman: Gary Phillips
Legacy Division
Chairman: William Sharron FCA
Kol Nidre Appeal
Chairman: Jerome Reback
Patrons' Group Chairmen
Geoffrey Ognall
Next Generation Major Gifts
Chairman
Gary Phillips
Pacesetters
Chairman
Alan Jacobs
Young Leadership
National Chair People:
Natalie Lesser
Thinktank: Adiran Brass
UJIA FC: Deborah Noy
Kulanu: Gabi Hersham, Julien Sallmard
Network2: Ben Novick
Birthright Israel: Jamie Singer, Natalie Rubinstein
Project T'nua: David Brown, Jo Miller
Ball Committee: Alyson Levy
Liverpool: Stephen Abenson
FuZion: Adam Clyne
Tempest: Shelley Harris, Richard Hyman
High Flyers: Nici Matlow
Time Out: Andrew Joseph
Business Division Fundraising Chairman: James Burchell
Property: James Burchell
Sports: Simon Bentley & Andy Rubin
Bench & Bar: David Waksman QC, Jane Mishcon
Women's UJIA Presidents: Helen Lee, Ruth Phillips, Joy Cohen
National Chairman: Carrie Rubin
Vice-Chairman: Wendy Cohen
Brighton: Sandra Carlton, Sandra Josyfon
Fylde: Elaine Adlestone
Leeds: Helena Clarke
Southend: Marilyn Salt, Shirley Shalet
Southport: Angella Carne
Kadima: Karen Gerrard
8 of Hearts: Alyson Levy
London and Southern Region
Chairman: Ben Tobin
Barnet: David Freeman Belsize Square: Ben Lachman Bristol: Harold Seymour Bromley Reform: Eva Byk Bushey: Laurence Finger Catford: Warner Peterman Cockfosters, Palmers Green & Southgate: Jack Goulden Croydon: Warner Peterman Ealing: Franklyn Ellison Edgware: Anthony Blake, Michael Wernicke Finchley: Stafford Fertleman, Harry Klahr Guildford: Ray Wicksman Hampstead Garden Suburb: Daniel Knobil, Raymond Taylor Ben Tobin, Dr. Jeremy Marshall Hendon: Julian Kemble, Peter Wagerman Kenton: Allan Russell Kingston: Ronald Ison Middlesex New: Rabbi Simon Franses Newbury Park: Linda Stanton, Philippa Stanton New London: David Immanuel New North London: Nicholas Brill Northwood: Melvin Berwald Pinner: Antony Glass Radlett: Caroline Davidson, Tessa Rudnick, Anne Ingram, Lannis Spiro Radlett & Bushey Reform: Ruth Leveson Stanmore: Leo & Frances Lewis, Michael Wernicke South Hampstead: Andrew Maurice, Karen Lever Sutton: Mervyn Smith Wembley: Leila Cumber West London: John Barrard Wimbledon: Sidney Solomons, Michael Kelion, Dr. Simon Joseph Woodside Park: Brian Harris
Leeds
Chairman: Martin Harris
Campaign Chairman: Ian Coupland
New Horizons: Tracy Sapier
Renewal Chairman: Richard Manning
Bradford: Roy Stroud OBE JP DL, Albert Waxman
Leicester: Avi Brandt
Newcastle: Freddie Ingram, Werner Maier
Nottingham: Mr & Mrs Leonard Gelblum
Sheffield: Dr Frada Wilenski
Manchester Life Presidents: Lionel Black, Norman Feingold Lord Leonard Steinberg
President: Joshua Rowe
Vice President: Eric Abrams, Jack Livingstone
Chairman: Dov Hamburger
Campaign Chairman: Keith Black
Renewal Chairman: Stephen Elias
Didsbury: Geoff Leinhardt
Hale & Bowden/Sale: Richard Sciama
Mili: Susan Abrams
Prestwich: Daniel Samuels
Whitefield: Mayer Hersh, Martin Sluckis
Scotland Glasgow
Campaign Co-Chairman: David Latter & Richard Pinder
Renewal Chairman: Adam Berkley
Liverpool Area
Chairmen: Ed Abenson & Victor Huglin
Renewal Chairman: Barry Abenson
Liverpool: Edward Abenson
Fylde: Robert Pinkus
Southport: Angela Carne
Ireland Dublin
Honorary Secretary:
Len Bloomfield
Wales Cardiff & Treforest: Dr Raphael Cantor
Swansea: Harry Sherman
North East Area Birmingham: Dennis Marks
Bradford: Roy Stroud OBE JP DL, Albert Waxman
Leicester: Avi Brandt
Newcastle: Freddie Ingram, Werner Maier
Nottingham: Mr & Mrs Leonard Gelblum
Sheffield: Dr Frada Wilenski
Gibraltar Chairman: Michael Lewis
Treasurer: Eli Benamor
Jewish Renewal Chairman
Dr Anthony Warrens
Director
Michael Wegier
UJIA-Makor Centre for Informal Education
Chairman: James Libson
Youth Movement Allocations Committee
Chairman: Miles Webber
Lifelong Learning Committee
Chairman: Sherry Begner
Adam Science Foundation Leadership Programme
Chairman: Avi Goldberg
Israel Experience Policy Group
Chairman: David Pliener
Educational Leadership Policy Group
Chairman: Dr Anthony Warrens
Research and Development Policy Group
President: Prof. Leslie Wagner
Chairman: Tony Danker
UJIA/Ashdown Fellowships
Chairman: Sir Harry Solomon
‘Partnership 2000’ Group
Chairman: Melvin Berwald
Glasgow Renewal Committee
Chairman: Adam Berkeley
Leeds Renewal Committee
Chairman: Richard Manning
Liverpool Renewal Committee
Chairman: Barry Davidson
Manchester Renewal Committee
Chairman: Stephen Elias
Newcastle Renewal Committee
Chairman: David Franks
Marketing and Communications Chairman
Michael Bradfield
Organisational Structure
Associated organisations
Affiliations
In November 2003 Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon gave a speech to the United Jewish Israel Appeal. In his speech he declared that he is a 'strong supporter' of Labour Friends of Israel and a good friend of Trevor Chinn[31].
Notes
- ↑ Bushinsky, J. et al. (1998), News in Brief, The Jerusalem Post, 12-April-1998
- ↑ Ha'aretz. (2000), MARY SHELLEY DIDN'T HAVE THIS GUY IN MIND, Ha'aretz, 30-June-2000
- ↑ Williams, R. (1998), British Offer Israeli President Anniversary Gift, Press Association, 29-April-1998
- ↑ Cohen, A.D. (1999), News in Brief, The Jerusalem Post, 1-January-1999
- ↑ Cohen, A.D. (1999), Immigrant Groups Fight Funding Delay, Jerusalem Post, 25-February-1999
- ↑ 1628 Words, Totally PLC Half-yearly Report, London Stock Exchange, 29-September-2008
- ↑ Davis, D. (1999), The Man Behind Blair, The Jerusalem Post, 24-September-1999
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph, Bomb attack at British Embassy, Belfast Telegraph, 13-October-2000
- ↑ Bushinsky, J. et al. (1998), News in Brief, The Jerusalem Post, 12-April-1998
- ↑ Cohen, A.D. (1998), UK Jews establish Blair Fellowships, The Jerusalem Post, 21-April-1998
- ↑ Davis, D. (1998), Britain Signs Military Co-operation Deal, Jerusalem Post, 22-November-1998
- ↑ Harris, H. (2002), Vinnie's Smokin', Sunday Express, 13-October-2002
- ↑ Pg. 4, Vandals' blaze bid at Scots synagogue, Evening Times, 26-October-2002
- ↑ Weston, A. (2002), Palestinian City Protest, Liverpool Echo, 29-October-2002
- ↑ Yorkshire Evening Post, Israeli chief faces demo over Jenin, Yorkshire Evening Post, 28-October-2002
- ↑ Pg. 17, Council had Nothing to do with Mofaz Visit, The Herald, 31-October-2002
- ↑ News, New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's Bolton appeal, UK Newsquest Regional Press - This is Lancashire, 24-January-2003
- ↑ Bates, S. (2005), Scrap Jerry Springer invitation, say rabbis, The Guardian, 21-January-2005
- ↑ Hayoun, D. (2005), Peres setting up Galilee development fund; Vice Premier Shimon Peres: It will possible to launch tourist projects in the Galilee, as well as establishing and expanding industrial parks, which will provide thousands of jobs for local residents, Globes [online] - Israel's Business Arena, 28-February-2005
- ↑ UJIA David Miliband hosts UJIA Patrons Accessed 18th September 2008
- ↑ Walker, T. (2008), Miliband's dinner guest list raises some eyebrows; mandrake, The Daily Telegraph, 05-August-2008
- ↑ Wadlocks, E.Z. (2008), Israeli, UK PMs launch new academic exchange programme, BBC Monitoring Middle East - Political: Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 21-July-2008
- ↑ Wadlocks, E.Z. (2008), Israeli, UK PMs launch new academic exchange programme, BBC Monitoring Middle East - Political: Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 21-July-2008
- ↑ Corbyn, Z. (2008), Research intelligence - Promised land proffers cash, Times Higher Education Supplement, 31-July-2008
- ↑ Waldoks, E.Z. (2008), Olmert Brown launch new academic exchange program, The Jerusalem Post, 21-July-2008
- ↑ London, Britain mulls extending bank guarantee, Agence France Presse, 6-October-2008
- ↑ Home News, Home News, Press Association, 6-October-2008
- ↑ Coffer, A. (2003), Norris raises fears that Crossrail will 'never happen', EGI Web News, 4-July-2003
- ↑ Kay, R. (2003), Poor Carole just can't keep schtum, Daily Mail, 20-October-2003
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle 'Others on the list: Numbers 31-100' 9th May 2008. Accessed 19th August 2008
- ↑ Hoon, G. (2003) Speech by Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, to the United Jewish Israel Appeal. 13th November 2003. accessed 2nd July 2008
