Community
Jewish LGBTQ+ charity shortlisted for National Diversity Award
KeshetUK recognised for work promoting inclusion across British Jewish life
July 2, 2025 15:10
KeshetUK recognised for work promoting inclusion across British Jewish life
July 2, 2025 15:10KeshetUK, the Jewish community’s largest LGBTQ+ charity, has been shortlisted for a prestigious National Diversity Award.
The organisation is a finalist in the Community Organisation: Race, Faith or Religion category, which honours groups working to advance equality, diversity and inclusion in their communities.
The recognition comes after the charity was forced to withdraw from London Pride, which will take place this weekend, over the safety concerns raised by Jewish members of the LGBTQ+ community. Organisers of Pride in London allegedly rejected KeshetUK’s requests for extra measures aimed at ensuring the safety of Jews in the march.
The group, whose mission is to ensure that “Jewish LGBT+ people and their families are included throughout Jewish life in the UK,” works with schools, synagogues, youth groups, and other communal institutions.
It engages with over 4,000 young people annually and hundreds of communities and organisations to “educate, train and empower individuals in Jewish LGBT+ inclusion”.
KeshetUK recently partnered with the Office of the Chief Rabbi to produce a guide to support the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ students in Orthodox schools, which was reportedly the first document of its kind globally.
It is one of 125 finalists in the 10 categories announced this week by the National Diversity Awards, which received over 85,000 nominations. Last year, the winner in the same category was the Karoy Foundation, a charity which leads aid projects for vulnerable communities in Ghana, Jamaica and the UK.
Executive director of KeshetUK, Ariel Chapman, said: “Being shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards is both an incredible honour and a thrilling moment for all of us at KeshetUK.
“It reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff and volunteers, whose commitment drives everything we do. We’re deeply proud to be trusted by our community to lead this vital work – and this recognition affirms the meaningful difference we’re making together.”
Winners will be announced on September 19 at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Clare Balding.
Speaking as the shortlist was announced, Balding said: “These inspiring and uplifting awards shine a spotlight on the incredible strength and positivity of an inclusive society, celebrating community heroes whose dedication and achievements might otherwise go unrecognised.
“Recognising the individuals, organisations and charities that go above and beyond to improve their communities is truly vital.”
Paul Sesay, the founder of the National Diversity Awards, which is in its 14th year, said: “The unsung heroes shortlisted in the National Diversity Awards help us to realise how much goodness and humility there is at the heart of our communities.
“The work these people do and the empathy they show is more important than it has ever been. We are living in a time when funding and support are limited which makes community action an invaluable resource on which so many people rely. Indeed, for some, it really is a lifeline.”
It is not the first time that KeshetUK has been honoured for its work. In December 2024, Chapman was one of 50 people whose names have been put on the prestigious 2024 Diversity Power List.