The United Synagogue

US Chesed Bursary Fund - Caring about our children


Every week a parent in our community has to say "I'm sorry we can't afford it".


Tribe is an important focus of the United Synagogue; absolutely central to its plans for the continued existence of a vigorous Anglo-Jewish community. It's not about just attracting young people to US activities and keeping them occupied and well-behaved when in Shul or giving them something to do in the school holidays, it's about much, much more.


Tribe is about building connections. It is about attracting Jewish youth from all across the spectrum of observance and showing them, bringing them, into the richness of Jewish life and culture, building their pride in their people and cementing them into the Anglo-Jewish community.


Tribe programmes, particularly Israel Tour, have a huge impact on our teenagers. Tribe provides a unique opportunity for young Jews to socialise and embrace their Jewish identity with pride. Yet the sad reality is that some families simply cannot afford the cost.


We believe no child should miss out on this opportunity to forge a lifelong Jewish connection. That’s why we have created the US Chesed Bursary Fund.


The role of the Chesed Bursary Fund is simple. We don't want any child to miss out on a Tribe programme simply because his or her parents can't afford the cost. The costs are kept to a minimum, of course, but it is a fact that not all families can pay all, or even part, of the price.


The Bursary Fund's job is to receive applications in confidence and to scrutinise them rigorously and then do its best to make sure that no Jewish child is denied a place on a Tribe programme because his or her parents can't pay.


We have had to deal with a variety of bursary applications from people who really need our help and are determined to keep their connection to the Jewish community.


The money we raise is ring fenced and goes directly to enable a young person to visit Israel, which is central to their personal Jewish identity and education, or to attend one of Tribe’s other programmes. The US Chesed Bursary Fund enables us to reach out to young Jews, whatever their economic circumstances, giving them positive experiences.


If you would like to donate to our Fund we’d love to hear from you! See below for our email details.


If you would like to apply for a bursary please email us at chesed@theus.org.uk and we will deal with your application in confidence.


To learn more about our latest fundraising activities we urge you to please look at our pages on You and US – www.theus.org.uk/chesed or do email us for more information.


Gaby Morris – Chair, US Chesed Bursary Fund cbf@theus.org.uk
Michelle Minksy – Head of US Chesed mminsky@theus.org.uk – 020 8343 5688

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