OPINION: My madrichim showed me how to be proud of Jewish heritage; Now is the time to give something back

I just dropped my daughter off at her first Shabbaton with Noam. Packed sleeping bag and pillow. Hopefully the toothbrush slipped into the case along with a large pack of sweets and some siddur. She arrived and was happy to see friends from school, friends from school and children of close friends of mine. I made friends when I started this journey 35 years ago.

I dropped her off at the exact spot where I arrived for my first Shabbaton in 1989 at the same age. I still remember a lot about that weekend. The beginning of lifelong memories forged with lifelong friends. I remember the songs I learned, the names of my madrichim who would later become my role models, the friends I made, and the ghost stories I was told.

Jewish youth movements are among the strongest social institutions our community has produced, friendship groups that endure into adulthood. We were all instilled with a proud Jewish identity, a love of Israel, a familiarity with our history, and a responsibility to become the next generation of leaders for our community. Graduates have thrived in my generation and become leaders in the rabbinate, government, civil service, healthcare, business and charities across British and Israeli society. Almost all of them locate their origins in what they adopted from their youth movements.

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Faith communities have laid the foundation for some of the most influential charities in the world. The International Red Cross, Shelter and Oxfam. Bnai Brith and HIAS. We take an idea rooted in our faith values ​​and expand its reach to support the most vulnerable.

Last week I was proud to lead the graduation ceremony of eight new youth leaders from Our Second Home (OSH), the UK youth movement for refugees and asylum seekers.

Nic Schlagman, occupational health and safety

OSH was founded in 2018 by a group of Jewish youth movement graduates who were excited to bring the model of youth development and peer leadership to a new community that could benefit from it. In the last twelve months alone, OSH has operated nine residential homes for 174 young people.

These residences were staffed by 138 leaders, 52% of whom had experience in the asylum system and are graduates of our leadership program. We also run regular activities at our hubs in London and Bristol.

The impact of occupational health and safety on the lives of young people is significant. Almost all participants report that their self-confidence has increased, their English has improved and that they have made new friends. 87% told us they “felt part of the OSH family” and 69% said they want to learn to take leadership in our communities.

Over the last six years, we have watched young people grow into articulate, inspiring adults. The AQA-certified leadership training program offers them the opportunity to learn and process practical skills to not only lead at our events, but also return to their communities more confident and integrated.

What began for all of us as a fun weekend getaway to make memories and new friends turns into the beginning of a journey of self-discovery, self-actualization and the foundations of lifelong leadership and community building. Thank you to my Madrichim for showing me the way and to my Chanichim for inspiring me and working to build a better future for all of us.

• Nic Schlagman, Chairman, Our Second Home.