Connection and community
AT A time when our younger generation is grappling with complex issues surrounding identity, organisations such as Aish UK play a pivotal role in providing multiple opportunities for positive and purposeful connection and affiliation. Amid the myriad challenges facing young Jewish people in sixth forms, campuses and the workplace, Aish stands out as a safe and dynamic address, providing positive Jewish engagement and involvement across the UK. This effort is geared towards fostering a profound sense of belonging, connection and community.
As we conclude Aish’s 30th year, we reflect on the many educational and communal organisations that have been created out of and alongside Aish, operating independently and collectively as part of the family of Jewish Futures. Organisations such as Gift, JRoots, Aish, FJL and Shelanu are dedicated to providing diverse pathways connecting young Jews with their identities and fostering unity among the broader Jewish community. The urgency for Jewish organisations to embrace young Jews on campuses, in communities and in schools has never been more apparent, especially since October 7.
Aish takes an active role in engaging with young people on campuses and in schools nationwide, addressing the escalating challenges posed by antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments that threaten Jewish life and identity. Confronting these challenges headon, Aish delivers a positive message of Jewish identification, creating connections that transcend backgrounds and borders.
Aish doesn’t do this alone. The family of Jewish Futures organisations offers multiple pathways to engage young Jews, helping every individual connect to their Jewish identity in a way that works for them. The organisations of Jewish Futures work in collaboration with each other, and together represent a shared purpose and destiny across the Jewish community.
A wonderful example of such pooled expertise and infrastructure has been manifest over recent weeks, whereby Gift has recruited volunteers on solidarity missions to Israel, in conjunction with JRoots, which provides logistical and programme design and facilitation on the ground. Aish young professional volunteers have similarly benefited from the decades of experience of both JRoots and Gift, allowing them to participate and contribute in meaningful ways in Israel. This form of pooled know-how and harnessing of economies of scale represents a powerful statement of unity and shared purpose. Over a two-week period in January, three independent groups, spearheaded by Gift, JRoots and Aish, recruited separately for impactful experiences in Israel while each benefiting from the wealth of experience and purpose of the other.
Another poignant example of shared purpose and collaboration was the powerful Havdalah “Let There Be Light” event, where all the Jewish Futures organisations came together to host 500 people, in support of Israel. This united front sends a resounding message of solidarity, resilience and a steadfast commitment to preserving Jewish identity.
Aish UK, distinguished by its expansive reach and significant presence, operates through five diverse departments, offering innovative Jewish social and educational experiences tailored to young Jews across the community. The increased activity facilitated by Aish in 2023 underscores the significant impact of efforts, with a 53 per cent increase in unique student participations, reaching 23 university campuses, an 18 per cent increase in educational trip participants and a total of 40,000 participations at events — a considerable increase from the previous year. Additionally, Aish hosted thousands of Shabbat meals for students and actively engaged with 21 sixth-form cohorts, employing 19 full-time and 11 part-time Aish educators across the UK.
These numbers not only highlight the growth of Aish but also showcase the increasing demand for positive Jewish identification and connection. Aish UK’s multifaceted approach, reaching out to young Jews through various platforms, ensures that the message of unity, belonging, and shared heritage is accessible to all.
Aish continues to represent a beacon of stability and inspiration, tirelessly working to make young Jews feel less isolated, more unified and deeply rooted in their identity. As the broader Jewish Futures collaboration continues to expand its impact, the transformative work of Aish UK stands as a testament to the enduring power of community and shared purpose in ensuring a strong Jewish future.
Aish delivers a positive message of Jewish identification