Nearly 60 young people participating in Jewish Care’s MIKE youth leadership programme were honoured at Jewish Care’s annual MIKE youth leadership awards evening on Tuesday.

The night’s top prize, The Saul Keene Award for Excellence in Youth Leadership, went to 18-year-old Abigail Saltman.

Abigail, who was not present on the night, having just begun a gap year in Israel, said in a video message: “To be the latest participant to receive this prestigious award means so much to me, and I am hoping to carry Saul’s legacy with me in everything I do.”

The award was accepted on her behalf by her “truly proud” parents, Ben and Sarah.

Abigail, who recently conquered her fear of heights by jumping out of a plane at 10,000ft to raise money for Jewish Care, credited the MIKE scheme with giving her the “confidence to run group sessions and volunteer outside and within our community. [It] expanded my knowledge of leadership and enabled me to work with people of all ages.”

Jo Selwyn, Jewish Care’s volunteering department manager, told the audience at Woodford Forest United Synagogue in north-east London that Abigail “overcame challenges triumphantly” and epitomised what it meant to take part in the leadership programme.

She added: “Abigail’s positivity, approachability and genuineness are conveyed in every conversation and transfer onto all those who speak to her. She is undoubtedly a superb ambassador of not just the MIKE programme, but of the whole Redbridge Jewish Community.”

Jewish Care MIKE

Jewish Care Youth Leadership Coordinator, Jasmine Spurling, and volunteer Nettie Keene with Abigail Saltman, winner of The Saul Keene Award for Excellence (Photo: Jewish Care)

Jewish Care’s MIKE youth programme, now in its 40th year, stands for Motivation, Inspiration, Knowledge, and Education. Until now, the programme has only run in Redbridge, but a new MIKE programme will be launching at Jewish Care’s Sandringham Community Centre on the South Hertfordshire/Stanmore borders in October.

Among other award-winners were two of Abigail’s siblings, Joshua and Eli Saltman, and Ellis Mazin and Aaron Gelkoff.

Joshua, Eli, and Ellis have  been volunteering at Jewish Care’s Vi & John Reubens House care home, and Aaron recently returned from a 10-day programme in Ghana, focusing on cultural exchange and education.

Jewish Care MIKE

Jewish Care Youth Lead Coordinator, Jasmine Spurling, and previous MIKE graduate Ian Grant with the Jack Petchey Foundation Awards winners (Photo: Claire Jonas)

The evening also celebrated the recipients of the Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards, which recognises the achievements of young people in London and Essex.

Daniel Carmel-Brown, Jewish Care’s CEO and former MIKE graduate, closed the ceremony, saying: “I stand here with a heart brimming with admiration for the dedication and growth that our participants have exhibited throughout the year’s programme.

“Their thirst for knowledge, their willingness to engage with challenging discussions, and their commitment to creating positive change have been hugely inspiring.”

With over 70 centres and services under its name, Jewish Care is the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the Southeast.