‘Memory Man’ gets lifetime achievement award - The Jewish Chronicle

One of the founders of Jewish Blind & Disabled (JBD), who has dedicated over half his life to the charity, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Barnet Civics Awards.

Malcolm Ozin MBE couldn’t quite believe his ears when his name was announced on stage, remarking that he was pleasantly shocked to be considered worthy alongside others noted for their fantastic achievements.

The 90-year-old has been an instrumental part of JBD since its founding in 1969 – and still comes into the office twice a week. The self-titled “memory man” says there is scarcely an event held by the charity in its 50-plus years that he has forgotten and that he remembers many of JBD’s original tenants.

Malcolm, who is now joint life president at JBD, shared fellow founder Cecil Rosen’s deeply-held view that neither blindness nor disability should automatically mean someone was destined for a life of total care. “Most of the tenants were able to live a long life with a little bit of help,” he says.

Starting from a small unit of 21 flats in 1972, the charity has now grown to seven supportive developments with over 350 tenants.

Right from the start, Malcolm was quick to build on Cecil’s vision. “Whilst other organisations have been involved in creating accommodation for disabled Jewish people, no one else considered combining blindness and physical disabilities into one particular building.”

Whilst giving a considerable amount of credit to Cecil, who sadly passed away in 1993, Malcolm says he has “essentially been involved in the construction of all the accommodation”, including their eighth building, Ephraim Court, due to open later this year in Mill Hill East.

JBD President Malcolm Ozin MBE with his wife, Marilyn, at a party at the charity (Photo: JBD)[Missing Credit]

Quipping that “I didn’t think I’d reach the age of 90”, Malcolm says he has no intention to step back from the charity’s operations. A recipient of an MBE in 2012, he says it is “gratifying” to have impacted so many people’s lives. “I’m very pleased to have been able to help, and my work is humbling when you see how some people suffer.”

Previously also a board member at Hendon Reform Synagogue and still very much a Spurs fan, Malcolm can’t deny the considerable success of JBD and its life altering impact on their tenants. “Over the years, we have found that the only way in which people give up their accommodation with us is because they need total care or they pass away. I can even think of one person who has been a tenant of ours for over 27 years”.

JBD chief executive Lisa Wimborne said: “Malcolm Ozin’s vision, perseverance, and deep sense of community responsibility has been the foundation on which JBD has been built.

"His legacy is seen not only in our buildings but in the lives of every individual who has benefited from our work. We are absolutely delighted that his immense contribution has been recognised with this well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Topics:

JBD

Jewish Blind & Disabled

Barnet Civic Awards