Recognition for decades of leadership, fundraising and service to the Jewish community.
Jewish Care is delighted to announce that its President, Steven Lewis, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours list. This prestigious recognition celebrates Steven’s outstanding voluntary service, leadership, and fundraising for the Jewish community, especially through Jewish Care.
Honours Citation
For services to Jewish Care and the community in Greater London.
Steven has been involved with Jewish Care since its formation in 1990 which resulted in a merger between the Jewish Welfare Board and the Jewish Blind Society. He was involved with the Jewish Blind Society as one of their inspirational young leaders and served on the working group which merged the two organisations, creating the most significant social welfare charity in Anglo-Jewry.
He has been centrally involved at senior levels in the past 30 years, serving as a Trustee until 2020, Chairman for 9 years, and has been key in shaping and leading the organisation through a number of other important mergers with Jewish social welfare organisations. His leadership has ensured that many tens of thousands of people across the Jewish community have received the very best and most relevant welfare services and continue to do so. Steven served as a Trustee of the Jewish Leadership Council for ten years.
His fundraising skills are legendary and over the years he has been responsible for personally raising many millions of pounds (to date over £150million) both for the ongoing revenue needs of the organisation and a number of significant capital projects, enabling Jewish Care to offer the most modern and caring residential and day care facilities to the community.
He has nurtured and mentored new younger leaders throughout his involvement which has enabled Jewish Care to have a pool of talented volunteer leaders at all levels throughout the organisation.
Steven believes in the importance of a partnership between the professional staff team and senior lay volunteers, giving encouragement and inspiration to all of them. He initiated a series of awards for both staff and volunteers which has been greatly appreciated by many thousands over the years (Jewish Care has a staff team of 1300 helped by a team of 3000 volunteers).
As a result of Steven’s leadership and the nurturing of all the Chief Executives of Jewish Care he has worked with, particularly during his time as Chairman, the organisation has become a leader in the sector, often called upon for advice from many other charities and organisations working with other religious and ethnic groups.
Steven was a founder of the Adam Science Foundation set up in 1993 following the tragic death of one his closest friends who was also a talented young leader. The Foundation recruits, trains and encourages young people to take on leadership roles within the Jewish community.
Under Steven’s leadership, Jewish Care has continued to be the leading provider of support and care services for the UK Holocaust Survivor community. Steven has continued to ensure Jewish Care focuses its fundraising efforts to raise the significant funds required to support this work. In 2024, Jewish Care announced that it was fully merging with Jami, a charity which had a long association with the organisation. Steven led the negotiations which culminated in a full merger last year. This has enabled the merged organisation to grow its community mental health services for all ages. The outcomes are vastly enhanced through this partnership which has been welcomed by all stakeholders, including service users, volunteers and donors. As a result of the growth and Steven’s leadership on the fundraising for the organisation, Jewish Care has now raised its annual voluntary income target from £15million to £20million.
In the period since the pandemic, Jewish Care’s reach has widened to include many Jewish communities across the UK. Partnerships have been developed in Brighton, Birmingham, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle and many other regions. This has been a response to the diminishing ability of small communities to provide institutional care for themselves. It also reflects the fact that Jewish Care today is the largest organisation in the Jewish community and one of the top 100 charities in the country. In his capacity as President, Mr Lewis continues to lead the Trustees and Executive team in developing strategies to ensure services meet the needs of the most vulnerable in society across the whole of the UK.
Quotes from Jewish Care Leadership
Steven Lewis, President of Jewish Care:
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. As a proud British Jew, I have been privileged to be involved with Jewish Care for over 35 years and I have worked with the most incredible team of professionals and lay colleagues. It is a tribute to the superb staff, volunteers, and supporters who make Jewish Care what it is. I share this award with our community and remain committed to ensuring older people, Holocaust survivors, those experiencing mental ill health, carers, and families receive the support, respect, and care they deserve.”
Lord Levy, Life President of Jewish Care:
“Steven started off as a young man committing to charitable work, and he helped to create a foundation after one of his close friends passed away, encouraging youngsters to work in both the voluntary and charitable sectors. He ended up as Chairman of Jewish Care for 9 years and has done the most outstanding job for this very special charity, which he continues in his role as President today.”
Marcus Sperber, Chair of Jewish Care:
“I am delighted Steven has been honoured in this way. He has and continues to be a true inspiration to everyone who knows him in the charity world and beyond. He has worked tirelessly for Jewish Care for many decades, raising many millions of pounds for the charity and enabling Jewish Care to continue to carry out and expand its vital work. Steven is a worthy honouree, and I am thrilled to see his enormous achievements and contributions recognised.”
Daniel Carmel-Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Care:
“Steven’s involvement with Jewish Care spans more than three decades and he has had the most profound impact on the organisation throughout his time as a volunteer leader. As Fundraising Chairman, Chair of the Board and now President, Steven has led the transformation of the Jewish community’s largest health and social care charity. Steven stands out as exceptional and we are all thrilled that he has been recognised for his amazing contribution.”
