“Thank you for all you have given me.” said Abigail Saltman, winner of the prestigious ‘The Saul Keene Award for Excellence in Youth Leadership’ at Jewish Care’s MIKE youth leadership programme awards this week.
The awards evening recognised the dedication of almost 60 inspiring young leaders who are participants in the MIKE programme, which stands for Motivation, Inspiration, Knowledge and Education and was attended by over 130 people. This year the MIKE programme celebrates it’s 40th year since the youth leadership training programme began.
Abigail Saltman, 18, was presented with the Award by the inspiring, Danny and Nettie Keene. Nettie has dedicated herself to volunteering at Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre, where she is now a member and she recently celebrated 51 years of volunteering. Nettie gave the award in memory of her son, Saul, with her son Danny who spoke about his brother, a dedicated leader in the community who sadly passed away at the age of 41 in 2008.
Jo Selwyn, Jewish Care Volunteering Department Manager, addressed the audience, saying, “It is so inspiring seeing the potential future community leaders and volunteers at the MIKE Awards. Abigail has overcome challenges triumphantly since she began her MIKE journey. she epitomised what it is to take part in the leadership programme – confident, energetic, thoughtful, and hard-working. She has developed these skills over many years and she is an inspiration to others. Her positivity, approachability and genuineness are conveyed in every conversation, and transfers onto all those who speak to them. She is undoubtedly a superb ambassador of not just the MIKE programme, but the whole Redbridge Jewish community.”
Abigail’s proud parents, Ben and Sarah, received the award on her behalf as Abigail has just begun her gap year in Israel, sponsored by the Sidney Gold Community Trust Fund. They said, “We are truly proud of all her achievements and the MIKE programme has given her so many of the skills that she has learned in leadership, especially working with and listening to others, young and old.”
In an acceptance video which also showed her Skydive at 10,000 feet in August to fundraise for Jewish Care, Abigail said, “To be the latest participant to receive this prestigious award means so much to me and I am hoping to carry Saul’s legacy with me in everything I do.
“Jewish Care’s MIKE scheme has given me the confidence to run group sessions and volunteer outside and within our community. It has expanded my knowledge of leadership and has enabled me to work with people of all ages and I can transfer these skills into my working life.”
Ian Grant, from Jewish Care’s Community Services and Volunteering Committee, presented the Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards – supporting young people to have the opportunity to develop their potential and to be recognised for the positive things they achieve. Four outstanding young leaders also received the Outstanding Achievement by the Jack Petchey Foundation celebrating their accomplishments over the past year at the evening which was held at Woodford Forest United Synagogue.
Jasmine Spurling, Jewish Care’s MIKE youth leadership coordinator, who has been through the MIKE programme as a participant, volunteer, and leader, talked through the achievements of the award winners, which included Abigail’s siblings, Joshua and Eli Saltman and MIKE participant, Ellis Mazin. She said, “Joshua and Eli together with Ellis have volunteered at Jewish Care’s Vi & John Reubens House care home helping to bring in Shabbat with a short Friday night service. This allows our residents to feel connected to their Jewish culturally and spiritually. Joshua and Ellis also recently ran a 10KM run to raise over £600 for charity.”
When describing the third winner, Aaron Gelkoff, Spurling said, “Aaron has been coming to our programme for four years, during that time we have seen a huge development from Aaron. His confidence has grown and he has participated in our trip to the Netherlands earlier this year to explore his Jewish heritage there and not long ago returned from his 10-day programme in Ghana which focusses on cultural exchange and education-based volunteering with citizens there.”
Daniel Carmel-Brown, Jewish Care’s CEO and former MIKE graduate closed the ceremony and said, “I am filled with an immense sense of pride and gratitude. Today, we celebrate a new chapter in the journey of our talented young leaders.
“I stand here with a heart brimming with admiration for the dedication and growth that our participants have exhibited throughout this year’s programme. Their thirst for knowledge, their willingness to engage with challenging discussions, and their commitment to creating positive change have been hugely inspiring.”
Until now, the programme has run in Redbridge. Jewish Care will be opening a new MIKE programme in South Hertfordshire/Stanmore at Jewish Care’s Sandringham.
To register your interest or for more information about MIKE in Redbridge or Stanmore/Bushey, email youthservices@jcare.org or call us on 07795 952 076.