One of my passions in life is working within the Jewish community. Over the years, I have taken on a variety of leadership positions to fulfil this passion. Since 7 October, my focus on working with the Jewish community has only grown. Through the UJS Leadership Fellowship, I was able to convert this focus into action. In Israel’s current time of need, I felt compelled to act.

In August, I took part in a volunteering programme in Israel. As a leader in the Jewish community, I felt a responsibility to go and help. The trip was only a week long, but every day involved different volunteering activities: preparing Rosh Hashanah food boxes for families in need, organising a funfair for children from deprived neighbourhoods, cleaning up a kibbutz that had been attacked on 7 October ahead of families returning, and more.

Each day, alongside Jews from around the world, I travelled to different Israeli communities to offer my support. The people we helped were very thankful for our assistance, as our group worked hard to complete each task. Something that seemed to have an even greater impact, however, was the knowledge that people from across the globe had come to help them. While in the UK I am an ambassador for Jewish life in Israel, I had, without realising it, become a representative of Jewish life in the diaspora. This show of support—on top of the much-needed physical help—was deeply moving for some of the Israelis and a welcome breath of fresh air amid the ongoing war.

In the past, my involvement in the Jewish community has been focused on building a sense of belonging, but it isn’t always obvious how to measure the impact of my contributions. During this volunteering programme, I was able to see the direct effects of my efforts—both practical and emotional. Throughout the trip, I worked alongside 30 Jews from all over the world. I saw cultures, traditions, and languages blend smoothly into a tightly bonded unit. This unity was a result of our shared Jewish background and our commitment to helping Israeli society. Witnessing so many different people work together was inspiring and truly showed me the power and importance of community.

The volunteering programme has significantly contributed to my leadership journey by allowing me to take initiative, engage in meaningful action, and witness the tangible results of my efforts within the Jewish community. This experience has inspired me to continue seeking opportunities to lead and support others, fostering connection and building stronger communities wherever I can. I would like to express my gratitude to UJS for making this experience possible and for helping me take my leadership journey one step further.

Zachary Hollenberg - UJS Leadership Fellow 2023/24