Forty Under 40: Where are they now?

forty Next month Jewish News, in partnership with the Jewish Leadership Council, relaunches Forty Under 40 – our search for the 40 Jews under the age of 40 poised to make the biggest impact on our community.

Today, almost five years after the first list was published, Alex Davis begins his look back at those featured in 2010 to see what they’ve achieved – this week from number 40 to 31…

Don’t miss THIS WEEK’s Jewish news for numbers 30-21 !

40 – Ben Ullmann

Ben works as director of a leading strategic communications agency, where he provides advice to businesses on managing their corporate reputation.

After finishing at the Jewish Leadership Council, where he was placed as Legacy Heritage Fellow, he spent three months in Kentucky working on an election campaign for the United States Senate.

He then worked for three years with the then Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks as his director of public affairs and senior adviser.

Highlights include co-ordinating the Chief Rabbi’s historic meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, delivering a packed programme of public engagements during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and working on two of Rabbi Sacks’ last Rosh Hashanah broadcasts for the BBC.

Communally, Ben became the co-chair of the Adam Science Alumni in 2010, helping graduates of the elite leadership programme take on leadership positions in the community, as well as providing a forum for debate among emerging leaders.

39 – Naomi Soetendorp

Naomi is a co-ordinator at Grassroots Jews, a group she co-founded in 2009. Grassroots Jews hosts independent, egalitarian and halachic High Holy Days services.

Since its founding, the group has grown from 100 attendees to almost 300 and is rapidly becoming an established alternative for those who want to participate in the chagim with others from diverse and disparate Jewish backgrounds.

Between 2010 and 2013, Naomi also attended the Tavistock Institute, qualifying as a practice educator and higher specialist social worker.

This year, she entered Sussex University’s Professional Doctorate in Social Work.

She continues to support the work of René Cassin, to attend Wandering Jews events and run creative writing sessions at Limmud.

38 Adam Clyne

Adam is the managing director of TVC International, within the TVC Group, and leads on both commercial growth and international expansion.

Most recently, he has been focused on the opening of an office in Manhattan, New York, and running TVC USA.

In 2012, TVC Group was sold to The Economist Group and continues to grow in strength, being recognised as the Digital Agency of the Year for the EMEA region at the SABRE Awards, as well as picking up various other industry awards. Communally, Adam is most involved with Magen David Adom and has recently joined their main board.

He continues to advise on their market, communication and fundraising strategies.

37 – Robert Rams

Robert continues to serve as the Chief of Staff to the Conservatives on the London Assembly.

Until May, he was the local Councillor for East Barnet and the Cabinet Member for Customer Access and Partnership on Barnet Council.

In this role, he was responsible for the transformation of council services under the One Barnet banner and the reorganisation of services, such as libraries, across the borough.

A keen wrestling fan, Robert now devotes much of his time to writing and podcasting a popular wrestling blog entitled Royal Ramblings, which features on the Huffington Post.

36 – Shmuel Davidsohn

Shmuel continues to work as director of Chaverim Youth Organisation, enabling thousands of young Charedim to enjoy after-school activities, from table tennis to leadership programmes, as well as two holiday camps each year.

Today, Chaverim Youth Organisation is one of the biggest in the Charedi community in London and is approaching its 25th birthday.

Additionally, Shmuel remains chair of Haringey Multi-Faith Forum and is the Chair of Haringey Independent Advisory Group to the Metropolitan Police. In 2011, Shmuel received a Jack Petchey leadership award for his long-term dedication to youth work.

35 – Ben Baginsky

In August 2010, Ben moved on from his role as an LJY-Netzer movement worker and trained to become a social worker specialising in children and families. After qualifying, he worked for Harrow Council’s children’s services department, focusing on child protection.

At the same time, Ben spent two years as headteacher of Kingston Liberal Synagogue’s school, Beiteinu, chaired the committee working towards the establishment of south London’s Mosaic Jewish Primary School, led a Birthright tour, mentored movement workers for the UJIA and gained an MA in Psychoanalytic observational studies from the Tavistock Centre.

Since November 2013, he has been travelling the world with his partner.

34 – Neil Levinson

Neil continues to work at the information and services company IMS Health and currently holds the position of Senior Principal and Director.

He recently stood down as vice chairman of Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue, a role he held from 2011, though continues to be heavily involved as a board member.

During this period, Neil helped select and appoint a new rabbi, co-ordinated the development of a new and more accessible website, and worked to improve marketing and events planning.

He continues to be a member of Bachad (Friends of Bnei Akiva) and supports Bnei Akiva by providing guidance to organisation leaders.

Most recently, Neil has begun mentoring MBA students at CASS business school, where he himself received his MBA.

33 – Adam Dawson

Adam remains a barrister in his professional life and recently co-founded the first barrister-led alternative business structure law firm, with offices in Sheffield and London.

Since 2011, he has held the role of chair of governors of Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School, the first Government Free School to open upon its foundation in 2011, and chaired the Foundation Group of the Mill Hill based school in 2010/2011.

He is still a London Jewish Forum trustee and is on the Board of Deputies at Mill Hill United Synagogue.

32 – Ben Winston

Ben was recently announced as the executive producer of the new CBS’ The Late Show With James Corden, which will take him to LA in January.

His work with Corden is ongoing, after co-creating the various Smithy sketches for Comic Relief featuring celebrities including Paul McCartney, David Beckham and George Michael, which helped raise millions.

Earlier this year, Simon Cowell recruited Ben to be the new executive producer of The X Factor, while comedian Michael McIntyre recently enlisted him to head up his chat show for BBC1. In 2012, he travelled the world with Gary Barlow after being requested by Buckingham Palace to make the official song for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

He works with pop group One Direction and his video for Best Song Ever won two prestigious awards.

Through his company, Fulwell 73, Ben continues to produce annual fundraising films for many Jewish charities, including Jewish Care, World Jewish Relief and Emunah.

31 – Raymond Simonson

Raymond is chief executive officer of the JW3 Jewish community centre in London, a role he has held since 2012.

In its first year, JW3 ran more than 5,000 events, with 6,000 people participating in its launch events last year. As CEO, Raymond led on the recruitment of staff, developed a wide range of organisational partnerships from across the community and oversaw the first season’s programme of activities and events.

He is now leading JW3 through a major organisational merger with the London Jewish Cultural Centre and has been confirmed as CEO of the post-merged organisation.

His work has also been published in the International Handbook on Jewish Education and he remains involved in Limmud as a volunteer, participant and presenter.