Meirav Sasson, Fundraising Manager for the Leeds Jewish Welfare Board (LJWB), speaks to JLife’s Katherine Howard about the organisation’s New Year Appeal and a new initiative to ensure donations go further.

The past year has been an exciting one for Meirav: new job, new home and new scenery. “The weather might not be what I’m used to but I’m enjoying exploring the areas in and around Leeds. There are lots of beautiful green spaces,” says Meirav, who moved to Leeds from Galilee with her partner and their three-year-old daughter two years ago. In Israel she lived on a kibbutz and worked for an NGO for 12 years before starting a new life in LS17. Meirav truly began to feel at home last year when she was appointed Fundraising Manager for the LJWB’s wide network of community care services, which includes services for children, the elderly, families, those with mental health problems, and those affected by learning and physical disabilities. “Before I got this position, I was looking for a job in Leeds with more meaning which could benefit the community. It’s natural for me to want to work with a Jewish community after working on a kibbutz for so long,” she says.

Meirav, together with Jonathan Ross, Fundraising Chair, has brought a fresh approach to LJWB’s fundraising in a bid to ensure as many charity events are held as possible. “Our aim is to have a fundraising event every month and we’re almost there. It’s also important that there are events that involve different kinds of people in the community,” says Meirav. “More people are now involved than ever before - we have various fundraising sub-committees such as the Young Welfare Board and 4 Women 4 Welfare. We’re an open door for everyone to come in and share their ideas.”

One visionary idea that is set to have a positive impact on the LJWB’s annual New Year Appeal on Yom Kippur is Welfare Wednesday. The LJWB is asking the community to redeem their Appeal pledges on one day – Wednesday 30th September – by visiting the MAZCC from 8am-8pm where donations can be made in person (payments can also be made by phone or online). It will enable the Board to cut back on administrative costs so that the funds raised can go even further. Given the economic downturn of the past year, this is now more imperative than ever. “Last year we had a very good response to the Appeal and we’re hoping for the same this year. As for most charities, this year has been a difficult one, but most donors have been loyal and continue to support,” explains Meirav. “Welfare Wednesday will mean less time and money spent on paper work. We’ll be able to deliver services to those who need them most, quicker than before.”

With the LJWB’s high roster of fundraising events held throughout the year, ranging from coffee mornings and sponsored walks to the midsummer fair and festival parties, there’s plenty of opportunity to get involved. “We understand that not everyone can give money but if people can give a bit of their time that would be a big help,” says Meirav. “In my view, the Welfare Board is the Jewish community’s pension plan, offering support from the cradle to the grave. It’s the only organisation of its kind in Leeds. The community can rely on the Board to support them and in return we feel we can rely on the community to support us.”

For information on Welfare Wednesday, call 0113 2185848 or visit www.justgiving.com/ljwb/donate