v Diversity among Britain’s Jewish campus community has been acknowledged with honours for students from Durham, Glasgow and Brighton at the Union of Jewish Students’s 10th annual awards night.
The ceremony celebrated the efforts of hundreds of students who have dedicated themselves to enriching Jewish life in higher education.
Durham won the biggest group prize, picking up the JSoc of the year title, thanks to its weekly Friday night dinners and talks with external speakers on topics including the #MeToo movement.
Harry Cohen, the society’s president, said his main focus had been to create a “more relaxed, easy going and inclusive atmosphere” to ensure people felt “welcome”.
He helped organise events including a “pizza in the hut” session for Succot.
A Shabbaton on the south coast won event of the year for Brighton and Sussex JSoc, and there were gongs for Glasgow JSoc’s Tea and Torah series, as well as Imperial College London’s Israel Society’s programmes, which picked up the Israel Engagement Initiative of the Year title.
There was further success for Glasgow’s Jewish students with the social action award for their Mitzvah Day collection for food banks in the city.
The interfaith award went to Lauren Keiles, who during her term as Leeds University Union’s interfaith officer, ran a week of programmes for students from different religious backgrounds.
After the ceremony Ms Keiles told the JC: “It was great to be recognised for something that I care so passionately about. Many of my friends from university, who supported me through interfaith week, were at the awards, so it was great to celebrate with them.
“I know interfaith work is a different challenge but it means people are able to connect more and discover common interests. From those friendships, change can happen.”
The prestigious Alan Senitt outstanding contribution to campus life award went to Glasgow student Sarah Levy.
During six years in Scotland she introduced weekly learning sessions, helped arrange weekly Shabbat dinners, and left an impact, UJS said, that would be felt for years.
Ms Levy said: “I’m glad I’ve been able to put Scotland on the map for Jewish students. With each new intake of Jewish students, it’s important for people to build and add to the community.”
Sir Victor Blank, who has stepped down as chair of the union’s trustee board, was honoured with a new award in his name which will be given to inspiring alumni each year.
Sir Victor told students at the event: “All of what has been achieved during my tenure is only possible because of all of you and those who came before you.”
He said the efforts of Jewish students were “tremendously important for the vitality and future of our community”.
The inaugural alumni award went to Labour MP Luciana Berger and Adam Pike, a former UJS chair, to recognise their work to combat racism and support those with mental illnesses.
Josh Holt, current UJS president, said: “Jewish students across the UK and Ireland are remarkable, working day in and day out to grow and build Jewish life on campus.
“And that’s something we think is worthy of commendation.”
More than 200 people including communal leaders, National Union of Students officials and a variety of Jewish charities attended the dinner in London last Thursday.
UJS will mark its centenary next year.