Camp Simcha appoint Johnson

The Board of Camp Simcha has confirmed that Simon Johnson will take over as the new Chair of Trustees, following Julian Taylor’s retirement after nearly 13 years as chair.

A former Chief Executive of the JLC, Johnson is a trustee of Camp Simcha, which supports UK families who have a seriously ill child. He assumes the post in September.

“Camp Simcha is a wonderful charity, which I have supported for many years and it is one that has deep support and affection within the community,” he said. “I look forward to building on the magnificent legacy that Julian has left and continuing on with all he has achieved as chair, to ensure that Camp Simcha continues to provide outstanding support to those families so in need of our care.”

During Taylor’s tenure, he oversaw the charity’s expansion to support families of children with serious and life-changing conditions where it was previously limited to life-threatening illnesses. More recently Camp Simcha has extended services to families whose child has a serious mental health condition and those who have suffered trauma or acute illness.

Taylor championed innovation and progression to ensure the charity grew services to meet needs, with new initiatives such as animal assisted therapies and sibling retreat, as well as the rapid response and transition to remote support during Covid-19.

Johnson has operated at the highest levels of sports, media and leisure industries and the charitable third sector.

Neville Goldschneider, Camp Simcha CEO, expressed his gratitude to Taylor for his years of commitment and service to the charity and welcomed the appointment of Johnson.

“Jews of every age, color and type come to us, especially Israelis, and we see something magical happen - when travelers are far from home, they seek a common bond with the people they encounter. Trekkers, backpackers who never thought they’d come to a place of Torah learning, find themselves sitting together and enjoying learning, whether it’s parshas shavua, Tanya or hashkafa.”

Bat Galim Shaer, mother of terror victim Gilad Shaer, Hy”d, recalled the tragic experience when her son was kidnapped together with his friends, Naftali Frankel and Eyal Yifrach. “Sadly, in times of war, of tragedy, Am Yisrael knows very well how to be united. We shouldn’t have to wait for times of grief, chas veshalom,” she said.

“We have to remind ourselves that as the Jewish people, we have it in our DNA to be united. We don’t have to be concerned about our diversity; actually, that is our strength. Yes, we need to learn more about respecting one another, listening to the other, but looking around us, at all the youth who came here today, we can be very optimistic about our future.”

At the panel discussion, Rabbis Yigal Levenstein and David Stav, both leaders with vastly differing perspectives within the national religious community, showcased how dialogue and healthy disagreement can be achieved with respect and dignity.

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu mirrored that reality with his observation, “Our Sages said, there is truth and there is peace. You can disagree, and can have a different viewpoint – and the Gemara is full of opposing viewpoints – but underlying it all is love and brotherhood.”

Each session buzzed with energy, filled with enthusiastic, engaged youngsters who listened raptly and responded with insightful questions. Many are regular participants in Sulamot’s 40+ TorahNoar batei midrash, which advocate youth-led, youth-focused learning programs every motza’ei Shabbat.

The highlight of the conference was the mega-event, featuring artist Akiva Turgeman, who delivered a power-packed performance with songs that were both somber and hopeful. After an emotionally stirring video interview with Rabbi Leo Dee, a grieving husband and father to terror victims, Lucy Maia and Rina, Hy”d, Rabbi Dee took to the stage in person. He exhorted the youth to engage in ahavat chinam, specifically at this time, on the eve of the mourning period for the Beit Hamikdash and as Israeli society experiences one of its most divisive periods.

Rabbi Dee cited the parable about three blind men feeling an elephant. “One is holding the trunk, one is holding the leg, and one is holding the tail. The first one says it’s a pipe, the second says it’s a tree trunk and the third says it’s a rope. They’re all describing the elephant, but they don’t know because they’re only holding one part of it.

“When we’re arguing with other people, usually they are holding one part of the argument that we’re not aware of. But if we show them respect and stop and listen to what they have to say, we can learn, they can learn, and we’ll all grow from the argument.”

Rabbi Dee was overcome with the outpouring of emotion from the audience. “I things it’s tremendous to bring all these youths together, learning from each other, seeing the respect that their rabbis are giving to one another and understanding that there’s more than one side of the “elephant” and that everybody together makes a better whole.

“This conference sends the precise message that the Jewish people need right now – one of tolerance, understanding and love.”