JVN Blog

In 2002 a very special person was taken from the world. Yoni Jesner gave his time to lead and inspire young people, volunteering for his local youth movement, helping the local Sunday school. An intelligent boy, Yoni wanted to be a doctor, but during his second year in Israel a bus he was travelling on was attacked by a suicide bomber. Yoni was 19 and had an incredible future ahead of him. Even after his passing, Yoni has been able to make an impact on people’s lives. His organs were donated and ended up saving a young Palestinian girl’s life.

Now, just over 10 years since Yoni’s untimely death, the volunteering programme named in his honour, The Yoni Jesner Award Scheme, is thriving, continuing his positive impact on others’ lives. Each participant is required to complete 20 hours of volunteering, however they choose to do so. Last year 150 participants took part, completing over 4000 hours of volunteering.

As we launch this year’s award we speak to Yoni’s mum, Marsha Gladstone, about her thoughts on the award.

What are the aims of the Yoni Jesner Foundation?

The Foundation aims to inspire young people by Yoni’s example to become the leaders of tomorrow; provide a platform from which to discuss issues facing the Jewish people and the land of Israel; and educate towards a better understanding of halachic organ donation.

The Yoni Jesner Awards have attracted more and more young volunteers each year. How do you see the scheme growing in the future?

I see the potential reach of the Awards being huge. We might eventually have to allow schools to run it themselves, but use our ‘brand’ and be affiliated to us, a bit like doing the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Yoni Jesner Award recipients from the Langdon Brady Club, all of whom have some form of learning disability

Last year marked the tenth anniversary of Yoni’s yarzheit. Why do you think his message still resonates with young people today?

Yoni’s message, that every act of kindness is hugely important, no matter how insignificant it may seem, will always be relevant.

And of course, the fact that Yoni will forever remain a 19 year-old means that he will always be a relevant example to young people.

Last year’s award scheme saw the participation of young people from the Langdon Brady Club, all of whom have some form of learning disability. How important is it to you that marginalised groups are also given the opportunity to give something back to their community?

I can honestly say that seeing the achievements of the Brady Group, and their tremendous pride at what they did, was a huge eye-opener. It made me realise what a truly meaningful contribution these young people can make, and how hugely important it is that we continue to include as many marginalised groups as possible.

Girls from Hasmonean High School volunteering at Jewish Blind and Disabled

The awards went online last year, attracting many more participants than ever before. How important is it for volunteering initiatives to keep up with the latest trends?

I think that if we want volunteering to appeal to young people in a way they find relevant, then we must make it accessible to them in a way that fits in with their lives.

The Yoni Jesner Award is often seen as the first step on a young person’s journey of social action, active citizenship and community leadership. What makes Yoni such a good example for young people to follow on this journey?

Yoni somehow managed to make helping others seem ‘cool’. He had a natural love for people, no matter what background, race or religion. He lived his life with a very strong set of values and beliefs, always busy, always doing good, and always with a smile. He made everyone feel special. I think that the appeal to young people is also because of the idea that whatever you do to help is important and worthwhile and is within anyone’s reach.

What do you think is the most important lesson or experience that each young person can gain from the award scheme?

The most important lesson and experience to be gained by participating is the amazing feeling of how wonderful it is to make a positive difference to somebody’s life. Once you have had that feeling, hopefully you’re hooked and will continue for life!

Due to the incredible enthusiasm for volunteering the award scheme creates, the Yoni Jesner Award Plus is being introduced this year for those who complete 50 hours or more volunteering. Why do you think it is necessary to reward and recognise the efforts of young people who give their time to help others?

It’s human nature that we all want our hard work to be appreciated. It is very important that we show young people that we recognise that instead of just doing something for themselves they have chosen to give of themselves and their time to those in need, which is really amazing. We must realise just how special these young people are to have chosen to help others. It is vital that we show them how much we value the work they have done.

Do you think there are lessons that older people can take from the efforts of Yoni Jesner Award participants? Do you think this can help the Jewish community?

I think that any older person who watches the films or hears the speeches these young people make about their experiences would be astonished, humbled, and hopefully inspired by how much they are achieving.

What are you most looking forward to about this year’s awards?

That amazing feeling of being overwhelmed by the huge number of people, the buzzing atmosphere, and the very moving stories and films–gosh I’m getting goose bumps just thinking about it!

This year we envisage having even more students taking part than ever before. Several new schools have joined the program and our partners at JLGB have improved the online system to help make it easier for participants to record their volunteering. Each year thousands of hours are spent helping others, putting young people on to a lifelong journey of giving. A fitting dedication to the memory of an amazing young man, Yoni Jesner.

Boys from JCoSS cooking for the homeless