Ukraine charity raises £1.8m at Star-studded London dinner

educator each day.

The Clean Speech Project has also produced various resources for communities

- from Shavuot shiurim to a booklet by Judge Zeidman KC comparing English Defamation Law to Jewish laws on Lashon Hara, to a Shul Clean Speech Magazine; there’s even a children’s storybook book produced for the project.

Co-founder and Seed’s Director of Education Rabbi Daniel Fine commented ‘Never have we communicated as much as we do, and never has communication been the cause of such stress and misunderstanding. Based on a hugely successful campaign in Colorado, the Clean Speech Project UK is one of the most creative and impactful projects I’ve worked on - and it’s been brilliant to work alongside the educational innovation and experience of Rabbi Avrohom Zeidman and GIFT. The feedback has been brilliant – with many people commenting that this project has changed the way they communicate. The number of communities embracing the project and adding their own event or programme has been superb – it shows how important the project is.’

270 people gathered at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Thursday (18thMay) as Tikva UK held its first gala dinner in 4 years.

Guests included Tikva staff and alumni alongside the Duchess of York, singer and presenter Ronan Keating, Spurs’ Eric Dier and Made in Chelsea’s Mark-Francis Vandelli.

Tikva UK CEO Karen Bodenstein said: “Whilst we were delighted to have so many friends of the charity together in person again, the ‘Unbreakable’ dinner was an important opportunity for us to share with our loyal donors the story of what has happened to our community since war broke out.”

In the first days of the war, Tikva facilitated the evacuation of 4,500 people out of Odessa. 1000 Tikva children and alumni families are now living under Tikva’s care in Romania, while 1,200 elderly people and 200 children and their families who were unable to leave are still being cared for by Tikva in Odessa.

Tikva’s search & rescue team continues to bring in new children affected by extreme poverty, neglect and abuse.

Guests heard from alumni Vika Gashenko who described her nightmarish early childhood and how Tikva ‘saved’ her to become ‘…more than a home. It’s a future.’

Dinner chair Arabella Spiro said ‘Since the last dinner we’ve experienced a global pandemic and war has returned to Europe. Too many lives have been lost. But Tikva’s commitment to those who need help has remained unbreakable. This is only thanks to the unwavering support of our supporters and we are so grateful.”