Israel Engagement Hub

The Ilan Ramon inside story -  told by his friend & Israeli master educator Dr. Tovia Book.

14 APRIL 2021

Israel's Memorial Day ceremony via Zoom, in partnership with Beit Halochem UK.  

23 FEBRUARY 2021

We had the rare opportunity to hear first-hand from the highest levels of Facebook about what they're really doing for online safety and how they balance free speech with all the potential risks. Rabbi Schochet interviewed Guy Rosen, vice-president of Integrity at Facebook and posed all the many challenging questions we might have. We also had an opportunity to hear him tell us how he made it all the way from his career in Israel to Silicon Valley.

11 FEBRUARY 2021

Oren Blitzblau was severely injured in the IDF, twice, becoming completely blind. But that didn't stop him from continuing in the IDF for a further 10 years or from becoming an Ironman competition champion. Rabbi Schochet interviewed him and we heard his inspirational message and took away some motivational tips for dealing with the Covid-19 crisis.

10 DECEMBER 2020

Israeli Masterchef Tom Franz in a live cooking session via Zoom, whilst sharing his fascinating life story - from German Catholic lawyer to Jewish Israeli Masterchef.

12 NOVEMBER 2020

In 2001, fifteen-year-old Malki Roth was killed in a terrorist bombing of the Sbarro Pizza shop in Jerusalem.

In 2011, her murderer, Ahlam Tamimi was released by the Israeli government, in the Shalit deal. She gloats about her actions and has since been given platforms on social media and the BBC broadcast her. Israel Engagement Hub hosted Malki's father, Arnold on zoom as Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet interviewed him talking about his family's plight and their relentless pursuit for justice. 

28 APRIL 2020

We held or first zoom on-line ceremony to commemorate Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. Our programme included Beit halochem veteran Hanoch Budin, Brigadier General (res) Yaron Rosen, music by Simon Cohen and the Mill Hill Shul Choir.

6 FEBRUARY 2020

We organized our last live event pre-covid; our second unique fair, in conjunction with Masa– exposing organizations that offer novel approaches to a meaningful time in Israel. Aimed not only at gap year opportunities but also at Post university options. We believe Gap years are the best “engagement opportunity” This event brought together leading Israel based programs for both gap year and post uni students. Once programs resume, we plan to develop our Link Back – a service which will enable the community to keep in touch with our youth on their year abroad, using social media and podcast. 

18 SEPTEMBER 2019

Three speakers enthralled the large audience with insights into the life of the former Israeli Prime Minister in continious to a new film capturing the life of Menachem Begin. Among those were Rob Schwartz, former chief-of-staff to former US Senator Joe Lieberman as well as Herzl Markov of the Menachem Begin Heritage Centre, and Quilliam co-founder and author Ed Husain. The evening was opened by Israel Engagement's co-director, Orli Rosen-Lang and chaired by JNF International's president, Bruce Gould.

To mark forty years since the Camp David treaty and celebrate the legacy of PM Begin, the speakers spoke at various venues and held meetings with MPs and at the House of Lords.

27 JUNE 2019

Live cooking demonstration led by Israel's leading culinary expert Gil Hovav, who revealed his inner secrets of making the best hummus, and some background on the connection between Israel and the hummus. 

8 MAY 2019

We held a ceremony to commemorate Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. Our programme consisted of a candle lighting ceremony, a special address by Yakir Amiri, an IDF operational officer severely injured in operation Protective Edge in 2014, community youth readings and songs performed by our own Shul Choir as well as children from MMK School.

7 FEBRUARY 2019

A first event of its kind, in conjunction with Masa– exposing organizations that offer novel approaches to a meaningful time in Israel. Aimed not only at gap year opportunities but also at Post university options. There are hundreds of programs on offer which do not seem to be communicated properly. Gap years are the best “engagement opportunity” and less and less youth are choosing to go to Israel for that year. In addition, the UK job market is also very competitive, making post uni options attractive as well. This event brought together leading Israel based programs for both gap year and post uni students. We intend to repeat this very successful program again in November. Together with the various organizations who all expressed a keen interest to return. In addition we will develop our Link Back – a service which will enable the community to keep in touch with our youth on their year abroad, using social media and podcasts.

12 MARCH 2019

380 guests joined us in an evening filled with stimulating dialogue. Throughout the evening we heard erudite views on matters ranging from Corbyn, Brexit, Trump, Hamas and what makes Israel so special. 

1-2 MARCH 2019

War veteran Yossi Tor gave an enlightening talk sharing his experiences of Shabbat as a Prisoner of War. He relayed stories of his captivity in the Yom Kippur war, how he survived torture and interrogations, and still managed to maintain his faith throughout.

4 DECEMBER 2018

We celebrated Chanukah hosting a special evening that included candle lighting, latkes and doughnuts, music by The Solomon Brothers from Israel and a special guest speaker who spoke about her journey from being a Greek Christian, to becoming a great Israel advocate.

10 OCTOBER 2018

An Educational enrichment evening discussing the topic of the Right of Return;

Dr. Einat Wilf, former MK in the Knesset, and author of “War of Return” on the perpetuation of the Palestinian refugee issue.

James Sorene, Chief Executive of Bicom, gave an introduction, which was followed by an interview style talk with Dr. Wilf. This was followed by a Q&A from the audience.