We’re excited to have you join us!

Thank you so much to our exiting trustees, Paul Burger, Jane Grabiner and Sarah Peters. We are so grateful for all of the time and energy you dedicated to the role.

Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko OBE

I have worked to support Shared Society for over 30 years, first in Jerusalem, where I was a Director at New Israel Fund, and later in the UK. I was the first Jewish Director at the Council of Christians and Jews in its 80-year history, where I received the Archbishop of Canterbury Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith.

Currently, I am an Interfaith Advisor at the Good Faith Partnership and the Jewish advisor to a Muslim organisation The Forum for Peace UK. In a voluntary capacity, I serve on the boards of other Israeli charities building a shared society.

There has never been a more important time to support NIF.  As Diaspora Jews, it is essential we uphold democracy and equality for all citizens of Israel, as enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, and work towards a peaceful vision for the future of all the peoples of the region.

Karen Kaufman

Born and raised in London’s Iraqi-Indian Jewish community, I made Aliyah at 18 to study political science at Tel Aviv University. Over 20+ years in Israel, my career centred around strategic communications and external relations, with roles including night editor at Haaretz English Edition, Head of Communications at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv, director of international relations for NIF’s flagship grantee, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, and as an advisor to Tony Blair on his work in the region. In 2021, I moved back to the UK, where I now work as Google’s Head of Editorial for Events in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Throughout my time in Israel, I was privileged to see the work of NIF and its grantees up close – and the impact they have on the ground dealing with causes that often seem intractable to outsiders. At this pivotal time for Israelis and Palestinians, this work is more urgent than ever to secure Israel’s future as a democratic home for all its communities.

Darren Lewis

In my professional career, I established a worldwide recruitment firm, held positions as vice chair and chairman at Finchley United Synagogue, and served as a trustee for various charities, many of which are related to Israel. As a passionate Zionist, I believe that NIF embodies my principles regarding a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian conflict and safeguarding Israel as the Jewish homeland and democratic state for future generations.

Joel Rosen

He is a law student from London who serves on the national executive of the Jewish Labour Movement. He is also a former President of the Union of Jewish Students.

“In recent years, I have had the privilege of meeting and learning from some of NIF’s grantees. I find it heartening that amidst all of the violence, hatred and trauma, there are still Palestinians and Israelis striving together for a just, democratic, peaceful future. NIF UK offers us the opportunity to support those fighting for equality and human rights in the most challenging of circumstances.”