On the 9th June 2010, JVN hosted our first Awards, celebrating the efforts of community volunteers. 

With 8 categories and 60 nominations, we hosted an evening at the London Jewish Cultural Centre with 150 guests. The event was a huge success, featuring guest speaker Martyn Lewis, former Chair of NCVO.

Sponsored by The Wohl Foundation, the Awards returned in 2014, this year with 9 categories hosted at JW3. 

The evening honoured 18 different charities and their volunteers. 

With over 270 guests at Finchley Synagogue, the 2015 Awards celebrated charity's volunteers across 13 different categories. The evening was compered by Lucy Manning and Richard Suchet. 

From a pool of 120 nominations, 13 winners were announced at the JVN Awards in 2016. With nominations from both inside and outside the community, the Awards hosted 150 people at the Arts Depot in North Finchley for the ceremony. 

For the 10^th Anniversary JVN hosted a combined Gala dinner with the Awards. The event focused on 3 categories: 'Young Leadership in Volunteering', 'Volunteer of the Year' and 'Lifetime Achievement' 

The Joy & Stanley Cohen Volunteers’ Hall of Fame was established to further recognise previous winners of our Awards, whose achievements have had such ongoing and widespread benefits.

Hosted by The Apprentice’s Claude Littner, the 2018 Awards consisted of 9 different category winners who were honoured at The Arts Depot. 


The previous year's winners were also inducted into The Joy & Stanley Cohen Volunteers’ Hall of Fame.

Taking place at Allianz Park, the 2019 Awards had over 250 guests celebrating 50 volunteers, volunteer teams and Lifetime Achievers in volunteering from 42 charities. 

The 2019 Awards saw a new format of Volunteer of the Year/Volunteer Team of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.  

Due to COVID - 19 the 2020 Awards had the initiative to move online. The Awards 2020 saw 74 Charity winners across four categories, including the Investec Innovation in Volunteering During the Pandemic Award. 

One Charity Winner was selected as outstanding in 3 categories, with 4 Charity team winners in the Innovation in COVID-19 for their outstanding contribution during the Pandemic. 

The Awards were held in memory of JVN's former Chairman, David Lazurus z''l. 

In memory of JVN's first Chief Exec, Leonie Lewis z''l, the record-breaking 2022 Awards saw 400 guests celebrate 90 charity award winners from 46 charities at The Grove. 

It featured 4 main categories, Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year, Young Adult Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award. Each category had one outstanding winner selected by the independent judging panel. 

In the wake of October 7th 2023, the 2023 Awards focused on the amazing response of volunteers in the community.  350 guests attended the ceremony with 89 charity winners across 37 charities. 

In addition to the four categories from previous years, a special recognition award was presented in response to the Jewish Community landscape since October 7th.

A record-breaking Awards for 2024, hosted at The Grove, JVN welcomed 350 guests, celebrating the dedication of 105 Charity Winners across 53 charities.

This year marked 18 years since JVN’s founding. A special presentation was made to Susan Winton, JVN Co-Founder.

In 2025, JVN placed a special focus on celebrating our Lifetime Achievers. The launch of the JVN Living Archive Exhibition honoured 28 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients and recognised their exceptional contribution to volunteering and the community.

We also welcome a number of distinguished guests, including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CSTJ, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Rabbi Josh Levy, Co-Lead of Progressive Judaism, and Dame Maureen Lipman.