Voice of the Jewish News: A heroic life and legacy
This week’s editorial focuses on the dedication of a new charity in memory of Simon Cooper
Unsung heroes work every day in our community to change the world around them for the better. That’s why, each year, Jewish News partners with Mitzvah Day to honour individuals who make a crucial difference in the lives of others.
Last year’s joint winners were siblings Rebecca Woolfe and the late Simon Cooper. Simon was the epitome of a brave, selfless individual who gave so much despite the enormous personal challenges he faced throughout his short life.
He suffered from cystic fibrosis and was born with a blocked bowel, requiring life-saving surgery. These profund obstacles couldn’t stop him achieving, in his family’s words ,“more in his 33 years than most people will in 100”. Simon was an ambassador for NHS Blood & Transplant and raised vital funds for many charities. He died last July.
Now, the Simon Cooper Foundation has been set up in his memory to provide funds to medical care providers and research centres associated with cystic fibrosis and cancer. What a fitting tribute to a heroic life.
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Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
