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Date:  1 July 2007

Tomorrow's leaders praised at Sinclair House graduation ceremony

Around 70 community-conscious teenagers were praised for devoting spare time to volunteering at a graduation ceremony staged at Jewish Care’s Sinclair House Community Centre in Woodford Bridge Road, Redbridge, on Monday 25 June.

The 14-19 year-olds – who are at different stages of Sinclair House’s successful youth leadership programme – received a range of certificates and scholarships encouraging them to continue their work at the centre. Many are leading programmes for younger children.

The role of honour included 12 sixth-formers who will spend their gap years in Israel, learning about all aspects of Israeli life thanks to financial assistance of the Doris & Sidney Gold Community Trust Fund scholarships and RAGS committee. During their gap years, the youngsters will spend time in the army, meet members of the Knesset, and work with a range of community groups.

Daphna Starr, 18, from King Solomon High School, is “looking forward to so many amazing experiences.” She continued: “As well as learning about Israel, our programme of preparations this year has helped us to feel more attached to the Redbridge community. We hope that after our year, we will return with more knowledge and passion about Israel that we can share with our community.”

Her view was echoed by Natasha Klipp, 19, who has just completed her gap year, describing her trip as: “the experience of a lifetime.” She added: “Sinclair House teaches us how important it is to give up some of our time to help others. Whether it was volunteering at Jerusalem School, helping run charity events or putting on Purim shows, we were all there to lend a helping hand.”

Also receiving awards were 46 graduates of Sinclair House’s MIKE programme – which stands for motivation, inspiration, knowledge and education - and equips participants to lead sessions for younger children. Receiving her certificate Natasha Kanolik, 14, said: “All of the effort we and the Sinclair House staff have put in has really paid off – and we can’t wait to start volunteering with the children. We would all like to say ‘thank-you’, as everything we have learned will be useful to us in later life.”

Completing the awards were six recipients of Jack Petchey awards for their contribution to the Redbridge community which will enable the centre to purchase new equipment.

Jewish Care’s vice chairman Jonathan Goldstein praised the volunteers for their dedication and Sinclair House staff for their support. He said: “You are our future – and I hope for many of you this is the beginning of a life-long involvement in Jewish leadership. As someone who grew up in the area, I’ve seen at first hand the way these experiences can help to shape people and the choices they make in life. I’m looking forward to following your progress – and maybe one day see some of you on the board of Jewish Care!”

The awards were presented by Mr Goldstein, as well as Sinclair House founder-member Bernard Sinclair; chairman of the Sinclair House board, Phillip Leigh and head of the Jewish Agency’s UK delegation, Colin Bulka. Other guests present were RAGS chairman Lloyd Green and Sidney Gold Community Trust Fund trustees including Alan Gold and June Bradbury, the children of the late Doris and Dr Sidney Gold.