AJR’s winning volunteers

Faced with the difficult task of making only one choice in each category, the AJR is delighted to announce its winners in the Jewish Volunteer Network (JVN) Celebration of Volunteering Awards 2020, celebrated last night (Tuesday 2 March, 2021).

During a year when the world has been turned upside down and everyone has had to adapt to new ways of living, we at the AJR give thanks to our incredible cohort of volunteers who have risen to the challenge to ensure that AJR members feel included and cared for.

 

Steve Newton is AJR’s Volunteer of the Year. Since the beginning of the pandemic Steve has offered countless hours of technical support to our members as well as running weekly tech classes on subjects such as safe online shopping and avoiding scams. When it became apparent that Zoom was a lifeline, Steve became part of the Zoom task force to help members get on to meetings and attend events.

Eleanor Angel is AJR’s Lifetime Volunteer. Eleanor has been a part of AJR since 1986,  and is now a Trustee, sharing her knowledge and advising on many aspects of the running of the organisation. She is also a Trustee of Nightingale Hammerson, Lifetime Vice President of West London Synagogue, and Trustee of Women of the Year Foundation.

The final JVN award is for innovation during the Covid era. AJR has nominated its Zoom Team for this category, following an incredible year of over 200 Zoom events ranging from seated yoga to book talks with award-winning authors, Kristallnacht ceremonies to poetry workshops, and not forgetting a guest appearance from Sir David Attenborough. Zoom has also been used for dementia-friendly groups and to offer support to carers.

Carol Hart, AJR Head of Volunteer Services said, “With over 350 amazing volunteers AJR is fortunate to be able to use their resource to support our membership during the past year, with all its challenges. We are delighted to have the opportunity to highlight the contribution of Steven and Eleanor at this year’s JVN awards.”