UK

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Jonathan Paull has been elected as the new Chairman for Shaare Zedek UK, taking over the position from Michael Sorkin. Michael has been in the role with Anthony Rosenfelder as Deputy chair for 16 years.

In that time there have been huge changes in the world of medicine, technology, and fundraising. Israel has faced 5 different wars. The world has faced financial uncertainty and financial crises and we have all lived through a global pandemic.

In that time, Shaare Zedek has doubled in size to a 1,000-bed hospital, our patient numbers have grown at a similar rate, birth rates have tripled, and we have seen the development of the scope and size of our services in the expansion of departments, the creation of new ones and the huge project of building the Children’s Hospital and the new Helmsley

Cancer Centre. In this time, SZUK has raised over £40 million to support these incredible achievements. This is a legacy for all of us to be proud of and we thank Michael and Anthony for their support and hard work on behalf of Shaare Zedek UK.

2023 marks a new beginning for Shaare Zedek UK and we are extremely excited to welcome Jonathan and looking forward to working together in the years to come.

Jonathan has spent the last 20 years as the Jewish tutor at Eton College. Although he did not come from a teaching background he has been able to pass on an enthusiasm, and engender a passion for both Judaism and Israel, both religious and historical.

Jonathan guided many Jewish Etonians on their spiritual journey, some of them only reconnecting with their history and heritage because of Jonathan’s impact.

Jonathan has a very personal connection to Shaare Zedek and the UK charity. We first met him back in 2014 when he was planning an Atlantic sail in memory of his mother and in aid of the charity. We knew then just how committed he was and as the years have gone by his commitment and dedication to the cause has grown.

As Chair of Shaare Zedek UK Jonathan hopes to bring together the various threads of experience he has, from bringing the Jewish world to Eton and beyond and from a career running business in diverse industries. Jonathan’s hopes are to nurture and grow the charity and reengage those we may have lost along the way.

“There is a generation of Jews growing up that do not sympathise on mass as a community with Israel. Sadly, the BDS message has influenced young Jews on campus and through social media. But in this we also have an opportunity to be a small cog in changing that narrative that has indoctrinated their social media feeds and at the same time showing why and how supporting Shaare Zedek is the right thing to do… the ok thing to do. Even in a world where they don’t prioritise giving to Israeli causes.

“So, I aim to lead change that refocuses our efforts to send a new message about why they should support Shaare Zedek. And this is very much to para phrase J F Kennedy, not about what you can do for Israel but what you can do to help Israel help and improve the world. Through medical technology, surgical procedures, and research that Shaare Zedek excels at and to which, if its properly funded the world will indeed benefit. Together with Shaare Zedek you can play your part in making a difference.”

Jonathan has already visited the hospital several times and during his most recent trip, met with Professors Ofer Merin and Jonathan Halevy as well as a number of doctors. He also had a tour around the new Helmsley Cancer Centre.

He is excited about what the future holds as are we and we are sure you will join us in welcoming him and wishing him Mazel Tov on his new role.