Applications are NOW OPEN The UJIA Joy Cohen Award for Outstanding Young Leadership by a Woman. 

Joy Cohen z”l

Joy Cohen was born in London and began her communal involvement working for Maccabi and Magen David Adom, responsible for raising funds to purchase ambulances for Israel. At the age of 22, she married Stanley Cohen and had the first of their three children the following year. In 1955, Joy founded the Youth Aliyah Committee in Stanmore and chaired it until 1960.

Joy was a leading supporter of every organisation in the Jewish community, as well as many outside of it. Deeply committed to Israel and the Jewish people, she was an active fundraiser for over 50 years, with outstanding enthusiasm and energy for her work.

Joy’s active involvement in the United Israel Jewish Appeal began in 1985. She was a Board member of the UJIA Women’s Division for many years, twice serving a three-year term as Chair.

Joy was instrumental in launching the 1Lion of Judah Awards in Britain. She was a recipient of the Tifferet Lion of Judah, awarded to outstanding women, who are distinguished by their exemplary commitment to the future of the State of Israel and the continuity of the Jewish people.

Joy Cohen received the Yakir Keren Hayesod Award in 1998, was elected President of the International Women’s Division of Keren Hayesod-UIA in 2002 and chaired it until 2005. She was an innovative president. In 2007, she received the IWD’s Award of Excellence. She served as member of the Board of Trustees of Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency Board of Governors.

The UJIA Joy Cohen Award

This annual Award is made in honour of the late Joy Cohen z”l. The winner of this award must be committed to inspiring others to be passionate about Israel; must demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and be a young leader and potential communal leader.

Nomination Process

  1. Recipients can be nominated by: Youth Movements, Schools, Student Bodies, Charities, Communal Organisations
  2. Nominees must be a resident of the United Kingdom
  3. The award is open to women who are aged 16 to 30 years old as of 31 December 2018
  4. The judging panel will include a member of Joy Cohen’s Family, the UJIA Chief Executive, the UJIA Senior Israel Engagement Manager and the Head of UJIA Women’s Division
  5. Nominations to be received at UJIA by 22 January 2018
  6. The successful recipient will be notified by the middle of February 2018
  7. The successful recipient be presented with the Award at the UJIA Annual Ladies Night Event on 19 March 2018

Criteria

Excellence in Leadership:

  • Inspires and encourages a connection to Israel and the UK Jewish community
  • Demonstrates a unique ability to guide and inspire others, which in turn contributes to an inspired Jewish community and support for Israel

Excellence in Communal Work

  • Gives her time to communal and/or educational activities
  • Shares her enthusiasm about her part of the community, the wider British Jewish community and Israel with others
  • Is known in her sector of the community as a reliable go-to person who makes things happen by her determination and sheer hard work

Excellence in Interpersonal Skills

  • Shows outstanding creativity when confronted with challenges, issues or a need for improvement
  • Seeks advice, listens well and brings others in her community with her in order to create solutions
    Uses consideration of both context and content in communicating with others

Judgements

In judging the nominations, the judges will give due consideration to the following criteria:

  • Has she demonstrated leadership towards promoting positive attitudes to Israel and
    support for Israel and the Jewish community
  • Has she demonstrated innovative leadership in the community
  • Does she encourage others to share her commitment to the community and to Israel
  • Does she demonstrate innovative approaches in order to lead and share best outcomes?
  • In which ways has she inspired others

Please return this application form to:
Elaine Abrahams, Stewardship Officer, UJIA, 1 Torriano Mews, London NW5 2RZ
Email: elaine.abrahams@ujia.org
To arrive no later than Monday 22 January 2018

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