United Jewish Israel Appeal

The United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA) is 'Britain's major fund-raising organization for Israel'. 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). The UJIA are also responsible for managing migration into Israel from the United Kingdom, Australia, Scandinavia, and Germany. 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.

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. 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.

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'. 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'.

Annual Fundraising Dinner 1998

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'.

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.

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. Mofaz also spoke at events in Leeds and Liverpool. 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'.

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.”

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'.

• 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

• UJIA Leadership Organagram 2008.

Associated organisations

• UJIA Israel

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.