Connections

In the first year CONNECTIONS assisted 15 refugee students from Bosnia living in Serbia. During 20 years since its inception the programme  has helped over 400 students to complete their studies.

Students who receive a CONNECTIONS scholarship are required to meet three criteria –

1.  They must achieve certain academic targets
2.  Demonstrate their financial need
3.  Become involved in Jewish communal life

Members of the CONNECTIONS committee visit the communities once a year to interview all applicants. The committee also maintains close contact with individual students throughout the year.

It costs £600 to provide each student with an annual scholarship. These scholarships make a huge impact on the lives of each student as well as on their communities. Connections’ students have had a significant influence on the Jewish communities where they live- helping to rebuild and renew not only their own lives but also those of their communities.

In the words of one of the Connections' committee members, having come to the UK from Bosnia as a refugee in the 1990s:

"They can take away your home but education is one thing they can never take away from you"

CONNECTIONS has also:

• Supported the Jewish Pharmacy in Belgrade which provided free medication to 2,000 clients
• Sponsored children to attend the International Jewish Educational Summer Camp in Szarvas, Hungary
• Supported a number of inter-communal youth activities, which foster leadership and development
• Re-furbished a flat for the Rabbi and his family in Belgrade
• Supplied a 2,000 volume English library for the use of the students and the wider community

UPDATE

Connections continues its student scholarship programme in Serbia and Bosnia where there is still great economic hardship. In  January 2011 we supported three highly successful seminars in Sarajevo attended by 140 young Jewish people from the entire region, organized by some of the students we have nurtured over many years.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our fundraising events hosted in private homes are always eagerly awaited. Back by popular demand, Connections are delighted once again to invite you to:

CONNECTIONS’ Annual Musical Evening

This is the highlight of its fundraising calendar. The committee is delighted to welcome back the highly acclaimed Barbican Piano Trio. In addition one of their talented musical students, Masa Babic, will be coming from Belgrade to perform on the evening as a gesture of her gratitude to Connections and all its loyal supporters.

“I will never forget the compassion and involvement shown by ladies from Connections, who truly were my greatest benefactors in a seemingly hopeless situation.”

The recital will be followed by a delicious supper – something Connections has become renowned for!

For more information or to book a ticket, please contact Vicki Russell on 020 8736 1268 or email vr@wjr.org.uk

Book early to avoid disappointment!

PREVIOUS EVENTS

This year our Connections events have raised nearly £18,000.  This summer, we held two musical concerts given by a couple of our highly talented musical graduates from The Novi Sad Academy in Serbia. In October, Anne Sebba gave our guests an exceptionally entertaining evening when she spoke about her much awaited new biography about Wallis Simpson entitled ‘That Woman.’

If you would like to book for a Connections events click here or for more information please contact Vicki Russell at the WJR office on 020 8736 1250 or email connections@wjr.org.uk 

If you are interested in sponsoring one of our students just click here.