Big News, New Chaplains & Purim Around the Corner
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Dear Friend,
It truly feels like an age ago that I shared our last newsletter with you and so much has happened since then. First, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone once again for your generous support of our recent fundraising campaign - “Our Campus Too”. From the Chaplaincy Champions, to donors and matchers, your belief in our cause is a huge comfort and inspires us to deliver our critical work supporting Jewish students each and every day. With your help, we achieved our most successful fundraising campaign ever, raising a staggering £953K, knocking our target out the park.
News from Newcastle
Following Rabbi Aaron and Miriam Lipsey's move to London to take up a new rabbinic position, we have been busy recruiting a new Chaplaincy couple for the North East region. We thank the Lipseys for their 14 years of dedicated service and wish them luck in their new position. Just as I sat down to pen this email, we confirmed the appointment of Rabbi Dovid & Sim Fhima who commenced their roles as UJC Chaplains to the region this week.
Rabbi Dovid Fhima has spent many years studying in leading yeshivot in both the UK and Israel, including the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and later in Kollel Shaarei Halacha in England, where he undertook semicha examinations in Halacha. A graduate of Newcastle University in Food and Human Nutrition, he has been working as an account manager. With a passion for Torah scholarship, Jewish history and health sciences, Dovid is committed to intellectual growth, communal service, and meaningful contribution in all spheres of his life.
Sim Fhima has an extensive background in Jewish education, youth welfare, and hospitality. Growing up in Gateshead, she has worked and volunteered in many roles in the local Jewish community, including summer camp counsellor, nursery teacher and hosting students in their home together with Dovid for the Gesher program. She has experience mentoring students interested in further Torah study and supporting youth through sensitive personal challenges.
Dovid and Sim have recently been appointed as the Rabbi and Rebbetzin of UHC Newcastle and are delighted to be joining the Chaplaincy team to work with students in Newcastle and Durham.
Tu B'Shvat
With the importance of honouring and protecting the natural word featuring across many Jewish teachings and customs, the festival of Tu B'Shvat marks the ‘birthday of the trees' and is a celebration of nature. Often marked with the eating of different fruits and vegetables - together with planting trees - Tu B'Shvat was celebrated across the regions with moments of celebration and learning.
English Campus Roundup
Our dedicated Chaplains continue to offer a wide range of social, educational and welfare events across the UK, both offering domestic hospitality creating a ‘home-away-from-home' as well as regular programmes like bagel lunches on individual university campuses.
Birmingham - Rabbi Fishel and Esther Cohen hosted students for a challah bake in their home
Bristol - Rabbi Asaf and Atara Forges hosted 25 prospective students in their home, who were all considering studying in Bristol
Cambridge - Rabbi Yekutiel & Netanya Greiff started their Purim plans early with a cocktail and mask making party in their home
Leeds - Rabbi Yisroel Meir & Mindi Zobin welcomed Dayan Zobin for their popular ‘Dine and Discuss' event - welcoming over 40 students
Liverpool - Rabbi Natan Fagleman sat on an interfaith panel with Chaplains from other faiths attracting over 40 students
London - Rabbi ‘Rav Gav' Broder was as busy as ever zipping around London, hosting various events including at City St. Georges, Hillel House and UCL
Manchester - Rabbi Ephraim Guttentag hosted a number of students for dinner and discuss at the GE Centre
Nottingham - With a strong welfare focus, Rabbi Aviad and Tehila Raviv hosted 15 students for a cathartic, origami experience
Oxford - Rabbi Moish & Tanya Blum welcomed students for a pre-Purim hamentaschen bake as well as a ‘learning and beads' event.
Scottish Campus Roundup
Rabbi Eliran & Ayalah Shabo had another busy month serving Jewish students in Scotland. Apart from their Tu B'Shvat activities, the Shabos ran activities in:
St Andrews - A bagel lunch attracted 15 students and Shabbat hospitality welcomed 40
Edinburgh - Preparing students for a women's megilla reading, a special Friday night dinner especially for parents of students and a dedicated talk with Rabbi Rubin - senior rabbi of Scotland. They also co-hosted an extremely successful ‘Parents' Shabbat' together with the Edinburgh JSoc, attracting over 70 parents to the city for a meaningful shabbat experience
Glasgow - The Shabos hosted a Shabbat programme also hosting 40 students
Upcoming Events
Purim is NEXT WEEK and UJC Chaplains are making the final preparations for their Purim celebrations. Contact your regional Chaplain now to secure your place #MIMO
And finally...
For all those hoping to go to university next year, booking is now open for I-gnite's annual Pre-Uni Prep event.
Enjoy dinner while:
Learning how to handle campus antisemitism
Exploring communication strategies designed to foster meaningful dialogue
Listening to insights from current students
Gaining practical guidance and advice
Just click the flyer below to register
As we head toward Purim, we're reminded that while the challenges we face are old, our energy is forever renewed. We aren't just a story of survival - we are a community built on the audacity to flourish and overcome, no matter the season.
Wishing you all a Purim Sameach,
Sophie Dunoff, CEO
