Lord Levy shares wisdom with JLGB Virtual

Lord Levy, President of JLGB, Jewish Care, JFS, Sense, Sense International, Barnet & Southgate Colleges and former Middle East envoy to Prime Minister Tony Blair, took part in a youth-led Q&A Live on JLGB Virtual on Tuesday 7 July. The Q&A was led by 17-year-old Cidney Miller from Borehamwood JLGB, who is a regular host of the virtual activities.

The show marked 100 days since lockdown and the 50^th of JLGB’s virtual episodes, supporting young people since lockdown and JLGB asked Lord Levy to mark this special occasion. This year is also the 125^th anniversary of JLGB, a landmark year of which we should be incredibly proud. These 50 virtual episodes, each hosted by a young JLGB leader, has been seen by over 650,000 people. Ben Winston, Judge Rinder, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Rachel Riley have been among the special guests.

Speaking of the success of JLGB Virtual, Lord Levy said:

“JLGB has captured the mood and imagination of the community. You are showing our community how it should be done and leading the way.”

Each evening on JLGB Virtual there is a particular focus on acts of kindness and those central to delivering frontline services to the Jewish community and guests from Jewish Care have included; the Chair, Steven Lewis, Chief Executive, Daniel Carmel-Brown and Trustee, Rachel Anticoni. JLGB has been strong in supporting the central role of Jewish Care to the community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, helping to raise funds and awareness of challenges that the elderly and vulnerable are facing during this time.

Recounting how he first got involved in Jewish Care and his thoughts on the future of the organisation Lord Levy said:

“I was there at the beginning of Jewish Care, and it really is the most wonderful organisation. My involvement with Jewish Care is probably one of the proudest things in my life. Jewish Care will make sure we care for the aging population in our community. We are adapting to the aging and changing needs of our community and our trustees and leadership are adapting with the times. That is the key to a successful organisation.”

When asked about the community’s response to helping care homes during the pandemic Lord Levy said:

“In a few days we brought in £4 million, the reaction has been unbelievable. I want to applaud our community, I want to give my respect and admiration to our Jewish community because they have been phenomenal. What they have done and how they have stood by those in need during this terrible period… We are blessed with a wonderful community.”

JLGB and Jewish Care are incredibly grateful to Lord Levy for his contribution to both charities. We are proud of this virtual and intergenerational collaboration and look forward to more to come in the future.

Reflecting on the interview and her involvement in JLGB, Cidney Miller said:

“It was an absolute honour to interview Lord Levy, hearing him speak so openly showed me what an incredible man he is and the story of the life he’s led has taught me a lot. I am so grateful to JLGB and Lord Levy for the all opportunities that JLGB has given me, most recently through hosting JLGB Virtual. I am proud that together we have been able to keep young people entertained in lockdown.”

In praise of Cidney Miller and the other JLGB youth presenters all of the youth hosts Lord Levy said:

“You guys are going to be our inspirational leadership for the future. I know when I listen to you that our community is going to be in very secure and safe hands.”

The Q&A can be watched back in full at www.jlgb.org/lordlevy.