Happy Pesach!

Welcome to our Pesach 2013 Newsletter

2013 is set to be a record breaking year for JLGB, including over 800 Jewish participants taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. We hope you enjoy reading about what we've been up to recently, and the many ways in which JLGB and its young people are achieving amazing things in the Jewish and wider community. Wishing you all a happy and kosher Pesach.

Looking for a fun-packed and affordable Summer Camp? JLGB offers great value for money at just £349 for 8 days!

Hundreds of Jewish young people aged 11-15 from the UK, Israel and Europe have a fun packed summer in store for them this year, as we have made our annual Summer Camp even more affordable! Camp Coordinator, Shirley Lane said: "We very much recognise and understand that for many families it's not easy at the moment with difficult choices to be made, but more than ever the JLGB are determined that young people don't miss out on the vital experiences and personal development gained through Summer Camps".

Not only have we reduced the cost for this 8 day summer programme to an amazing £349, but now families can also pay in easy monthly instalments via an online payment planner, as well as additional financial support for families in need. However, whilst prices may be slashed, we are doubling the fun and promising a unique and magical experience. JLGB Summer Camps offer a wide range of activities to suit everyone from mountain biking, archery, water sports, climbing, abseiling – the list just goes on and on. JLGB camps are renowned for their stunning evening entertainment extravaganzas. From talent shows, to murder mysteries, from interactive game shows, to late night discos – the fun just never stops!

Those children that haven't been to camp before are really missing out on the family spirit of Jewish children coming together from across the UK, Israel and Europe, taking part in fantastic programmes and making friendships that will truly last a lifetime. For everything you need to know about Summer Camp and to apply online, visit www.jlgb.org/summercamp and for any questions call 020 8989 8990 or email summercamp@jlgb.org.

Yom HaShoah - Sun 7th April 2013

In April, JLGB leaders will join over 250 participants from the UK for a five-day visit to Poland to take part in the March of the Living, as part of commemorations for Yom HaShoah 2013. JLGB members and leaders will also be on hand to help at the National Yom HaShoah Commemoration in Hyde Park on Sun 7th April, as well as many local ceremonies across the UK. For information on local Yom HaShoah events near you visit www.yomhashoah.org.uk.

Closer to Israel
Celebrating Israel's 65th

Full details are still to be released, but to mark Israel's 65th anniversary the JLGB will be involved in and join the community in the "Closer to Israel" Celebration Parade on Sunday 2nd June 2013. 5 years ago at the Salute to Israel 60th Parade, 100s of JLGB members, leaders and supporters were involved, and we hope to recreate as much of the magic as possible once again. More details to follow on how local JLGB groups, bands, parents, family and friends can get involved in the main parade and local events - but keep Sunday 2nd June free!

JLGB achieve 400% increase in Jewish participation in world's leading achievement award

It's only March yet an astonishing 800 Jewish young people have already signed up for their Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) this year through the JLGB, a record breaking number.

Thanks to support from the Pears Foundation, the JLGB has increased Jewish participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award by 400% with over 2,500 Jewish young people signing up in the last 5 years. This unique kosher and Shabbat friendly provision – directly delivered by the JLGB across all Jewish secondary schools as well as synagogues, youth and community groups – ensures the entire Jewish community can take part in the DofE, including single gender groups for ultra-orthodox schools and Yeshivas, and adapted programmes for those with physical or learning disabilities.

Set up by The Duke of Edinburgh himself over 50 years ago, taking part in the DofE gives young people independence, a sense of achievement, self-confidence, leadership & teamwork skills and is highly regarded by universities and employers – often the first thing looked for on UCAS forms and CVs.

With over 800 DofE participants this year we need more adult volunteers than ever before, if you can help for a day or even a couple of hours we need your help! For more information, including expedition dates go to www.jlgb.org/dofehelpers.

Reaching out and engaging local communities

Did you know that JLGB has over 30 groups meeting each week nationwide across the Jewish Community? The JLGB offers a fun and exciting programme of weekly activities which engage young people in exciting skills-building sessions, with a balanced programme of healthy living, citizenship, emotional well-being, leadership development and Jewish identity and much more besides.

Through structured positive activities the JLGB consistently recognises how much young people have achieved and developed. As their journey unfolds, young people earn credits, certificates, awards and qualifications as they progress and learn new skills each and every week.

If you're aged between 8-11 for Juniors or 11-16 for Seniors and looking for an experience with a difference, JLGB is for you! You can take part in a great range of activities, camps, events and community projects in a safe and friendly atmosphere with thousands of others across the UK.

Earlier this month all JLGB groups from across the UK came together to battle it out to see who was the best JLGB Group in the UK. Competing in 5 different sections to test endurance, knowledge and ability, Edgware won the London competition and Cardiff for the Provinces, where Cardiff then went on to be crowned National JLGB Champions.

The JLGB will be coming to a school near you as part of a recruitment drive to continue to increase the number of young people participating in weekly programmes, empowering them to become active citizens in their local community and the leaders of tomorrow. To learn more and get involved in your local JLGB group, visit www.jlgb.org/localgroups.

Sign up to awards and accreditation increases as news of JLGB's Volunteering Strategy spreads!

JLGB's Volunteering Strategy for Jewish Youth is going from strength-to-strength as it is embraced by schools, parents and charities across the community. Over 500 young people are currently completing the Yoni Jesner Award and vInspired Award with us, as we continue to hold volunteering fairs across Jewish Secondary schools. To find out more about volunteering awards and accreditation see www.jlgb.org/volunteering.

Over 50 charities and organisations are already on board, and last week, the strategy received a further boost from charities and organisations as Volunteering & Citizenship Manager, Rebecca Brookman, presented it to the Jewish Social Action Forum and shared with them how working with charities to make volunteering roles more youth friendly is key to increasing youth participation in volunteering and helping charities to reap the rewards.

Supported by the Wohl and Pears Foundation, the JLGB's collaborative and fresh take on youth volunteering is causing great excitement amongst charities and schools.

After Pesach, the new JLGB Volunteering & Citizenship Team will be meeting with charities across the community to empower them to engage young volunteers in impactful volunteering roles as the academic year continues. You can see the full strategy at www.jlgb.org/volunteeringstrategy.

JLGB helping to make the world better

As members of the Jewish Social Action Forum (JSAF), JLGB are proud to support the Jewish community's involvement with the IF campaign. In January 2013, a mass joint campaign between faith groups and development NGOs launched, addressing the challenge of a food system that leaves around one billion people in the developing world hungry or without secure access to food, leading up to the G8 summit in June. Sign up and get involved with the UK's largest ever campaign to address the structural causes of hunger. Add your voice to the cause and learn more at tinyurl.com/jsaf-if. Let's help to make 2013 the beginning of the end of hunger! Why not also join JHUB at their Community Drop In event - tinyurl.com/aahkv87

JLGB has also been helping the GIVEMORE Campaign, which encourages communities to give more time, money and energy to a cause they care about and inspiring others to do the same. GIVEMORE recently joined us at national JLGB event where each JLGB group across the UK received a special activity pack and session plan to encourage young people to get fully on board with this worthy cause! For more information and to make a GIVEMORE pledge visit www.givemore.org.uk.

Support JLGB in the Fun Run

JLGB are looking for people of all ages to take part in the Community Fun Run on Sunday 26th May to raise much needed funds to help support young people and families in need. The JLGB has always ensured that no young person is prevented from participating in any programme due to personal, financial or family circumstances.

If you are interested in running, there are 1km, 5km and 10km routes that you can take part in. To sign up go to www.communityfunrun.org and click 'Register', making sure you tick JLGB as the charity you are choosing to run for.

Matthew Kemp and Jared Bourne, JLGB's young Fun Run coordinators, said "Last year we had over 15 runners and we raised over £3000, this year we would love to double that!"

If you would like to sponsor team JLGB go to www.jlgb.org/funrun. For more information please contact JLGB HQ at funrun@jlgb.org or call 020 8989 8990.