After three years of outstanding leadership as Chair of YJJC (Young Jami Jewish Care), Nicole Ashton steps down as three new young leaders step up to lead. Clark Norton is the new Chair of YJJC and Emilia Isaacs and Louis Zenios have been appointed as Vice Chairs.
Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising & Marketing, Ellisa Estrin, says: “I’d like to thank Nicole for her dedication and commitment. Under her leadership, we’ve seen three hugely successful Young Patron Dinners, the growth of YJJC events, and the launch of Super Sundays volunteering. We wish Nicole every success in her next chapter and we are delighted to welcome our new Chair Clark Norton and Vice Chairs Emilia Isaacs and Louis Zenios.
“The YJJC events and the involvement of the next generation of young leaders and supporters is vital for Jewish Care now and in the future, to continue to respond to the increasing needs of individuals and families in the Jewish community. Jewish Care must raise nearly £20 million this year and many of the life-changing services we provide receive no government funding and are entirely dependent on the community’s support.”
Jami’s life-changing mental health support is becoming ever more crucial for the community as the prevalence of mental health issues grows. Jami, now part of Jewish Care, supports people from the age of 11 upwards through to adults, as well as family carers of those who are struggling with their mental health. There is also an increased need for dementia and end-of-life care as many people in the community are coming to Jewish Care older and frailer, and with more complex medical needs.
Talking about her time as YJJC Chair, Nicole Ashton says, “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. It’s been inspiring and rewarding to help relaunch Super Sundays volunteering, welcoming new and familiar faces, and to strengthen the conversation around mental health as Jami and Jewish Care came together under YJJC, helping to ensure that support, understanding, and connection remain at the heart of all we do.
“I’m excited to stay involved and I look forward to seeing our community continue to grow and inspire. I know Clark, Emilia, and Louis will lead YJJC from strength to strength, and I wish them every success.”
Newly appointed Chair of YJJC, for 21-35 year-olds, Clark Norton, has served on the Young Patrons Dinner Committees for five years and participated in the Lay Leadership
Programme.
“I’m proud to continue the incredible work of Nicole Ashton, and excited to inspire more young people to engage with the charity,” says Clark. “My parents instilled in me the importance of Jewish Care’s role in our community. Whilst our generation tend to face rising living costs, I believe if we can find it within ourselves to give Tzedakah, we demonstrate the true strength of our community and age group. You never know who may one day need to use the myriad of incredible services that Jewish Care and Jami provide—where the ‘Jewish’ in Jewish Care truly shines through.”
New Vice Chair, Emilia Isaacs, who has been involved with YJJC for several years, says, “I’m excited to make a real difference in the community and connect with like-minded people. Volunteering showed me firsthand the life-changing impact of Jewish Care and Jami – from giving dignity to older people to supporting those facing mental health challenges which can take a huge toll on individuals and their families.
“Fundraising is vital to ensure this work continues, and it’s so important for young people to get involved, support one another, and help build a compassionate, thriving community for the future.”
New Vice Chair, Louis Zenios, who is a YJJC Law Committee member, and a YJJC volunteer, has been involved for as long as he can remember. He says, “I’m excited to think creatively about engaging young Jewish people through new events and initiatives. I’ve always been involved with Jewish Care – it has taught me what it means to give back to the community and Jami is doing amazing work for young people’s mental health.
“We know that the cost of care is increasing almost as fast as the demand for it, so young people need to give as much as we can as often as possible to maintain the crucial services for our community. For many young Jews, this a dark moment. but simply showing how the community unites under Jewish Care can bring light.”
To find out more about being part of YJJC contact Lily Elleswei on lily.elleswei@jcare.org