1,000 guests gathered at Jewish Care’s Annual Dinner tonight for a moving celebration of the charity’s work, raising an incredible £5.6 million to support its life-changing services. The evening placed Jewish Care’s clients and families at the heart of the evening. Nine of the charity’s clients and volunteers who were the stars of the night, shared their powerful stories of care, courage and compassion. The funds raised will help Jewish Care meet the £20 million it needs each year, at a time of significant growing demand and when many of its services receive no government funding.
Hosted at Grosvenor House by journalists and broadcasters Emily Maitlis and Rob Rinder MBE, who generously donated their time, the Dinner celebrated the impact of Jewish Care’s transformative
services across the community. They highlighted the growing need for care, connection and support at every stage of life. From Jami’s mental health services, now part of Jewish Care for people aged 11 and over, to specialist support for older people with increasingly complex needs. They also recognised how important this support is at a time of rising antisemitism in the UK and around the world.
Guests had the first opportunity to see inside the brand-new Sugar & Ronson Campus which will support the local Jewish community in Essex and north east London. A fly-through video showcased the beautiful 66-bed Sugar Family Care Home, where the first residents will soon move in, and The Ronson Community Centre, the vibrant hub that will be opening this summer.
Thanks to the generous support of the Sugar Family, and the Ronson Family through The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation it has been possible to realise the long-held dream of bringing all Jewish Care’s local services under one roof.
Speaking on the night from his table, Lord Sugar, who has been involved with Jewish Care for over four decades, said to Emily Maitlis,
“The truth is, giving to Jewish Care has always been very simple for me: you can see the difference it makes – it’s just people helping people. Choosing a care home for a loved one is one of the biggest decisions you have to make. You want to walk in and immediately think, they’ll be safe here. They’re going to be happy here. They’re going to be treated with dignity here. I wanted it to feel like a home. And the measure of success is seeing quality of life for the people who are going to be living there.”
On stage, Emily Maitlis, said:
“Tonight the stars of the show are Jewish Care’s clients – the 12,000 people whose lives are touched by the organisation every single week.”
Guests heard first-hand stories of the difference Jewish Care makes through its community services, dementia care, mental health support and end-of-life care.
One of the most poignant moments of the evening came from Holocaust survivor Janine Webber BEM, the last remaining survivor of the Lvov ghetto in the UK. Janine spoke about her childhood escape, the years she spent in hiding, and the lasting trauma of losing all the members of her immediate family during the Holocaust.
For decades, Janine was unable to speak about what she had endured. It was through being referred to Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre where she received specialist therapeutic support from the Shalvata service, together with the care of staff, volunteers and fellow survivors, that Janine began to heal and share her testimony with future generations.
Janine said:
“The centre is vital. It gives us somewhere to go and be safe with friends who understand what we’ve been through. Without that support, I wouldn’t be able to tell my story as I do now.”
Guests also heard from Evelyn Middleditch, who described how Jewish Care’s award-winning dementia day services have transformed life for her husband David and for their wider family. David attends Jewish Care’s Sam Beckman Centre for people living with dementia, where he takes part in activities including quizzes, theatre, dancing and singing. As part of The Sam Beckman Choir, David was part of the creative journey which saw the members write and compose the studio-recorded original song, A New Beginning that was released on all streaming platforms this Spring.
Evelyn said the service gives David purpose, joy and friendship, while also giving her and their son Ralph vital respite from caring responsibilities.
She said:
“I really can’t express how much Jewish Care has helped us. They’re there if we need them. David absolutely loves it. The place and the people are out of this world.”
With the number of people living with dementia expected to rise by up to 25 per cent over the next decade, Jewish Care’s dementia day centres play a vital role in helping people live well at home for longer, reducing isolation and ensuring families do not feel alone.
In its new five-year strategy for 2026–2030, Altogether Stronger, Jewish Care has pledged to double the number of people supported through its community services, strengthen critical areas of provision and develop new services where the community most needs them.
Volunteer Barbara Jaye spoke with Emily Maitlis about the role Jewish Care’s community centres play in tackling loneliness and creating a sense of belonging. Through Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre, Barbara found friendship, purpose and the opportunity to give back, including through Singing for Memory groups supporting people living with dementia.
She said:
“They welcomed me with open arms. Whether it’s singing, table tennis or supporting people with dementia, it just feels good to be part of something that brings people joy. Seeing people smile, sing and feel happy together – that’s what Jewish Care does so well.”
In one of the evening’s most powerful testimonies, John Featherman shared his experience of severe mental illness and how he attempted to take his own life* – and how support from Jami, Jewish Care’s mental health service, helped to save his life.
John spoke candidly about feeling isolated and overwhelmed, and about finding understanding, community and hope through peer support and the Jami Head Room café. He has since become a volunteer and a champion, using his experience to support others.
John said:
“Jami and everything it does has the power to change lives. It really did save my life – and I hope that, thanks to your support, it will save many more.”
Siblings Emma Parker and Ben Roback moved guests as they spoke about the care their grandmother, Sheila Sekenofsky z’l, ‘Bubby’, received at Jewish Care’s Vi and John Rubens House. They described the dignity, warmth and compassion shown not only to their grandmother, but to their whole family, from personalised daily care to end-of-life support.
Emma explained:
“Bubby was a truly remarkable woman who had an incredible zest for life. She used to play with us and take us swimming, and she was also a huge part of our Jewish identity.”
Ben added: “It was important for Bubby to be in a Jewish environment, to be with other Jewish people. She was always excited to tell us when she had been to a Friday night or Saturday morning service, and especially what they had for kiddush.
“At the care home, she wasn’t just another resident – she was known, respected and loved. She had an amazing life, and thanks to the Jewish Care staff, who spoke to my grandma and my mum about how Bubby wanted the end of her life to be, she also had an amazing end of life.”
Rob Rinder also highlighted Jewish Care’s award-winning care, including the award for End-of-Life Care in Dementia Care at the UK Dementia Awards and recognition for Community Services at the NAPA Activity Awards. Jewish Care is currently shortlisted as Finalists in residential care, retirement living, dementia and end-of-life care awards.
Speaking about his own family’s experience when he reached out to Jewish Care for support with his own dad, David, who is living with dementia, Rob shared,
“We needed help, we needed guidance, and we needed somewhere for my dad to live. What I remember most in that first call to Jewish Care, is how I felt then when I put the phone down. Relief. Not because everything had suddenly become simple, it absolutely hadn’t, but because for the first time in a long time I felt we were no longer carrying this by ourselves. Somebody understood, somebody knew the road ahead and that behind all the questions was a family trying to do the right thing by someone they loved. From that conversation Dad came to Otto Schiff care home.
“From the carers, I saw the simple acts of thoughtfulness and kindness, the sort of kindness that asks for absolutely nothing in return.
“Dad’s carers see him, Jewish Care sees him, and in doing so they’re giving something back to my family that we desperately needed: not perfect peace, but the peace
that comes from knowing that tonight my dad is safe, and that even when we can’t be there, someone who cares for him completely, is.”
Guests enjoyed an uplifting performance from award-winning West End star and Wicked leading actress and singer, Emma Kingston, who sang songs from Yentl, Les Misérables and Wicked.
Speaking after the dinner, Jewish Care Life President, The Lord Levy, said:
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported us at this year’s Annual Dinner, helping us raise such an incredible amount of £5.6 million. At a time of real challenge for our community, these vital funds will help us continue providing life-changing Jewish care and support to the 12,000 people whose lives we touch each week.
“It is through the commitment of our lay leaders, together with our exceptional staff and volunteers, that Jewish Care is able to be there for so many people and families across our community.”
Jewish Care Chair, Marcus Sperber, said, “Our heartfelt thanks go to our hosts, Emily Maitlis and Rob Rinder, to Emma Kingston, to our table hosts, and to everyone whose time and support made the evening such a success.
“We are especially grateful to the clients and volunteers who shared their stories so movingly and are at the heart of all we do.
“We rely entirely on the generosity of our community to provide the highest quality care and support, rooted in dignity, respect, and Jewish traditions and values, and we are immensely grateful to them.”
To view the photos please click here