At Pesach, we retell the story of a journey from isolation to belonging, from silence to finding a voice. For Tova, that journey has been deeply personal.

Growing up, Tova had caring classmates and valued their friendship. Yet learning and socialising in the same way as her peers wasn’t always possible, and she longed for connections where she could truly be herself.

At 12 years old, Tova’s parents reached out to Kisharon Langdon and she joined their Brady Youth programme. From her very first sessions, something changed. For the first time, Tova was surrounded by people who understood her. Week by week, she formed genuine friendships built on shared experiences, laughter and equality. Holiday schemes became a lifeline – joyful for Tova and reassuring for her parents.
Most importantly, Tova began to relax. She no longer had to mask who she was. Once shy and often speaking in a whisper, she gradually found her confidence and her voice in a safe, nurturing environment.

After finishing school, moving on to Kisharon Langdon College felt like coming home. Familiar faces, trusted staff and friends from Brady Youth made the transition feel natural and secure. The College’s warm, family atmosphere and strong Jewish values were especially meaningful to Tova and her family. The structure, routine and sense of belonging helped her flourish.

Tova said with pride “I like going to Kisharon Langdon College because it is small and like a family and I get so see all my friends. I like that they are preparing me to go to work.”

Through work experience and drama classes, Tova developed independence, learned to advocate for herself and took pride in her achievements. Performing in end-of-term shows, with her family in the audience, has become a highlight – helping her share milestones alongside her siblings and feel deeply connected to her family and community.

Tova’s mother, Rachelle, said “Tova has gained new life and work skills at college, which are tailored to her needs. It has been wonderful watching her confidence grow.”

The sense of belonging is especially meaningful at this time of year. Across Kisharon Langdon’s services, people are preparing to celebrate Pesach together. Mock seders will take place in supported living homes and education services, while those supported have been creating personalised afikomen bags and taking part in educational sessions about the meaning of the festival.

To make the celebrations accessible to everyone, Kisharon Langdon has also created its own easy-to-follow Haggadah, helping the people it supports take part in the Seder and enabling staff, including those less familiar with Jewish traditions, to confidently support each person to celebrate in a way that reflects their own customs and level of observance. Staff have also undertaken training to deepen their understanding of Pesach and how best to support meaningful participation.

Rachel Ucko, Kisharon Langdon’s Head of Jewish Living and Community, said “The Jewish Life team has delivered extensive staff training to ensure colleagues feel confident and well equipped to support people in their Pesach observance. We created a clear checklist, complete with step by step timelines, and as a result, staff feel significantly better prepared for Pesach this year.”

Today, Tova’s journey continues. With future support on offer from Kisharon Langdon’s employment programmes, social enterprises and community initiatives, she can look ahead with confidence and hope.
At Pesach, we celebrate freedom not only from physical slavery, but from loneliness and uncertainty. Thanks to your support, Tova is free to be herself, and young people like her will always have a place where they belong.

Kisharon Langdon is proud to announce that Georgia Rami, Kisharon Langdon Support Worker, and Michelle Grossman, volunteer, have been named winners at this year’s Barnet Care Awards. Organised by the Care Quality Team, the awards celebrate individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment, innovation and dedication in delivering high-quality, person-centred care.

Georgia Rami – Care Worker Award Winner
Georgia Rami received the Care Worker Award in recognition of her outstanding support for Channi, a young woman supported by Kisharon Langdon, in achieving a life-changing bucket list dream of completing a skydive while raising over £3,400 for the charity.
From the outset, Georgia recognised how meaningful this challenge would be for Channi. She supported her throughout the entire journey, from signing up and fundraising, to distributing sponsorship flyers and preparing for the big day. In a powerful demonstration of encouragement and solidarity, Georgia completed the skydive alongside her.

Throughout the experience, Georgia showed sensitivity, patience and unwavering belief in Channi’s abilities, ensuring she felt confident, safe and celebrated every step of the way.

Georgia spoke movingly of her recognition:
“I’m truly honoured to receive this award. Supporting the people we work with is something I care deeply about, and it means a lot to me to be recognised. I’m very grateful to my team for their support every day, and especially to my manager, Camelia, who supports us to be the best version of ourselves and to make a difference.

When I first joined, I learned that the Hebrew word ‘Kisharon’ means ‘talent’, and the point of it is bringing out each person’s talent. I hope I have achieved this in my work, and that together we continue to help the people we support shine and reach every goal in their life!”

Georgia’s actions exemplify exceptional care – empowering independence, building confidence and enabling the people she supports to achieve ambitions they may once have thought impossible.

Michelle Grossman – Volunteer Award Winner
Michelle Grossman was named Volunteer Award winner in recognition of eight years of dedicated service.
Michelle provides consistent, one-to-one support to Talya, a woman supported by Kisharon Langdon who lives with learning disabilities, mobility challenges and significant sight difficulties. She devotes entire days to accompanying Talya to community programmes, appointments and social activities, ensuring she can participate fully and confidently.

From providing hands-on mobility support to ensuring Talya can take part in social occasions and celebrate special milestones with friends, Michelle’s thoughtful and consistent involvement greatly enhances Talya’s quality of life and offers invaluable support to the wider staff team.
Upon receiving her award, Michelle commented:

“I feel very humbled to receive this award. Life itself is a gift, and being able to give my time to others offering love, kindness, care and affection to children and adults within the Kisharon Langdon family is a privilege. Seeing a smile on someone’s face or knowing you’ve helped make their day a little brighter is a reward far greater than anything.”

Beyond her time, Michelle also helps provide high-quality, affordable kosher food for Kisharon Langdon’s weekly Friday night dinners through her family’s butcher business, benefiting more than 70 people and enabling them to take part in an important religious and cultural tradition.

Richard Franklin, Kisharon Langdon Chief Executive, expressed his gratitude and pride:
“On behalf of all of us at Kisharon Langdon, I want to say how proud we are of Georgia and Michelle and the teams they work with. Their genuine generosity and care for the people we support are second to none- they go far above and beyond their roles and it’s wonderful to see them recognised for this at the Barnet Care Awards.”

Both Georgia and Michelle embody the compassion, dignity and community spirit at the heart of Kisharon Langdon. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for the extraordinary difference they make every day.

New Chapters, the second-hand bookshop and social enterprise run by Kisharon Langdon, welcomed members of the community to its Open Day on Sunday 1 March 2026 to celebrate World Book Day and support the goals of the National Year of Reading 2026.

The event showcased how New Chapters creates meaningful employment and volunteering opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, while promoting a love of reading, sustainability and community connection.

Visitors had the opportunity to meet the team and volunteers who keep New Chapters running, tour the warehouse, and discover the shop’s new 12-week New Chapters Development Programme. This work-based employability programme helps participants build practical skills, gain independence, and develop a sense of purpose, supporting progression into work or volunteering. Fully aligned with Care Act duties, Preparing for Adulthood outcomes, and local employment strategies, the programme combines meaningful social impact with real pathways to employment.

Hannan Ahmed, New Chapters Coordinator, said: “New Chapters is about so much more than books – it’s a place where people can learn and develop valuable life and employment skills, while the work they do gives them purpose and a real sense of value.”

The Open Day also featured live readings from people supported by Kisharon Langdon, highlighting the power of storytelling and self-expression. Zoe, a supported living tenant who also works on reception at Kisharon Langdon Head Office, delivered one of the readings. Her father also volunteered to perform a poetry reading, making it a particularly special family moment. Richard Franklin, Chief Executive of Kisharon Langdon, also took part in the readings.

Guests donated pre-loved books and browsed a wide selection of second-hand titles. They also supported Kisharon Langdon’s Enterprise Team, a business led and managed by people supported by the charity. Team members design and create the handcrafted products themselves, including hand-painted mezuzah cases and bespoke coasters, as well as source materials, calculate costs and set pricing, gaining valuable real-world enterprise and financial skills in the process.

A particularly moving moment came at the end of the event when Talia, who is due to start working at New Chapters next week, spoke to attendees about her new role. She became emotional as she shared her excitement about beginning her job.

Talia, supported by Kisharon Langdon, said “I am looking forward to selling books and listing them on Amazon. I really cannot wait to start!”

Through its work, New Chapters demonstrates how books not only inspire readers, but also create pathways to employment, confidence and independence.

Kisharon Langdon’s Fundraising Dinner welcomed over 750 guests to Grosvenor House on Wednesday 28th January for an uplifting and inspiring evening, raising an extraordinary £1.7 million to support its life-changing services for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The evening was made even more special by the active involvement of people supported by Kisharon Langdon, who took on roles ranging from helping at reception, assisting with production, to MCing on stage, demonstrating confidence, professionalism, and pride throughout the night.

With the powerful theme “This Is My Life”, the dinner celebrated individuality, ambition, and the shared belief that everyone deserves not just to exist, but to thrive. Throughout the evening, guests saw how this belief is brought to life every day through Kisharon Langdon’s growing services and how their generosity makes that possible.

A highlight of the night was a joyful performance by Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Electric Umbrella, who performed a bespoke song written in collaboration with pupils from the Wohl Campus, Kisharon Noé School, a Loftus Learning Centre. The performance embodied the warmth, creativity, and confidence that flourish when people are supported to express themselves.

Guests were also deeply moved by speeches from Marc Butcher, Shammai Rotenberg and Sarah Merriman, all of whom are supported by Kisharon Langdon, and who shared their personal experiences, speaking powerfully about how the charity has enabled them to build independence, connection, and purpose in their lives.

The appeal film, also titled “This Is My Life”, followed the stories of Leah, Channi, and Chanochi, offering an intimate look at how tailored, compassionate support from Kisharon Langdon transforms everyday opportunities into meaningful lives.

Speaking at the dinner, Richard Franklin, Chief Executive of Kisharon Langdon, highlighted how guests’ generosity directly translates into real impact:

“Your presence here tonight is more than support. It is a statement. A statement that people with learning disabilities and autistic people deserve to thrive. Because of supporters like you, our services continue to grow and evolve, even in the most challenging times.”

He went on to share the tangible progress made across the organisation:

Day Services have expanded from 26 sessions per month to over 140, creating more opportunities for learning, skills, and social connection.

Supported Living now supports 166 individuals, up from 147, enabling more people to live independently and with dignity.

In education, 142 pupils and students now benefit from seamless progression from nursery through college, with the nursery at 118% capacity and the school at 113%, underlining both quality and demand.

The Wohl Employment Programme has supported 72 people into employment or work equivalence, with success rates far exceeding comparable programmes.

And Friday Night Dinners, now attended by more than 70 people, have quadrupled in size, creating community and belonging where it was sometimes absent.

“These achievements show what we can do when we work together,” Richard added. “But sustaining and growing these services isn’t easy. This year alone, we need to raise £4.6 million to meet rising costs and increasing demand. The generosity shown in this room tonight is vital to ensuring we can continue delivering safe, high-quality, transformative support.”

Nicole Ronson Allalouf, Chair of the Kisharon Langdon Fundraising Dinner, said:
“It was truly wonderful to look out and see over 750 supporters, families, and friends gathered last night for the second Kisharon Langdon Fundraising Dinner. I want to thank the 17 people we support who helped bring the evening to life with their skill and professionalism. Last night was about community, connection, and celebrating lives lived with purpose and possibility. Thank you to everyone who came for believing in this work and supporting Kisharon Langdon so generously.”

Kisharon Langdon Co-Chairs, Nick Doffman and Philip Goldberg, added:
“As Co-Chairs, we are immensely proud of how far Kisharon Langdon has come. The merging of Kisharon and Langdon has created an organisation with deeper expertise, broader reach, and a more unified vision. Over the past year, we have expanded opportunities for independent living, enriched our educational and social programmes, and delivered exceptional outcomes for the people who rely on us.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all our supporters, whose generosity sustains everything we do; to our Dinner Chair, Nicole Ronson Allalouf, whose commitment ensured the night’s success; to our Honorary President, Leo Noé, our trustees, and to our dedicated volunteers and staff. Our fundraising dinner is a celebration not only of what we have achieved but of the values that make this community so special. Thank you for standing beside us and helping shape a future of opportunity and dignity for every person we support.”

The £1.7 million raised on the night is a vital contribution towards Kisharon Langdon’s annual funding requirement and will help ensure that more people can say, with confidence and pride, ‘This is my life.’

With thanks to Electric Umbrella, Community Security Trust (CST), Ronit Knoble-Gershon and Fantastic Films, Gen Z Events, Tony Page, The Bloom Station, CC Comms, Spema Print, Justin Grainge Photography and The Grosvenor House Hotel, for their roles in the Kisharon Langdon 2026 Annual Dinner.

People supported by Kisharon Langdon are taking on an extraordinary new role – delivering vital training to NHS staff as part of the mandatory Oliver McGowan programme. This government-backed training ensures that every healthcare professional learns how best to support individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people. What sets this training apart is that it is co-delivered by people with lived experience, including the people we support at Kisharon Langdon.

To date, six members have undertaken specialist paid training to become certified trainers, and now travel independently to hospitals and clinics to share their voices. In three-hour sessions, they speak directly to doctors, nurses and other professionals, explaining from their own perspective what makes a healthcare experience positive or challenging. They are joined by a professional facilitator from the Oliver McGowan team, who oversees the training.

Chaim Dovid, for example, works at Ellern Mede Clinic, a specialist centre for people with eating disorders.
“I enjoy my job because staff really listen,” he said. “They tell me they learn more from me than from books. It makes me feel proud and useful.”
The feedback from NHS staff has been outstanding. Many describe the sessions as invaluable and say they gain insights they could never get from a textbook – only from hearing firsthand from someone with lived experience.

Nicky Marks, Senior Ward Administrator at Ellern Mede, says:
“Working alongside the Kisharon Langdon trainers has been an inspiring experience. Their openness and honesty help our staff see beyond clinical care to the person behind the patient. The sessions they deliver have transformed how our team understands and communicates with people with learning disabilities. Hearing directly from someone with lived experience brings the training to life in a way that no textbook ever could.”

For Kisharon Langdon members, taking on this role is a remarkable achievement. To be employed as certified trainers within the NHS – delivering mandatory, national training to doctors, nurses and healthcare staff – is not only a high-profile job, but one that carries real influence and purpose. Our members are at the heart of shaping how healthcare professionals across the country understand and support people with learning disabilities.

Debbie Rees, Kisharon Langdon’s Assistant Director of Programming, Employment & Social Enterprise, says:
“It is a position of responsibility, dignity and pride. The people we support are recognised as experts by experience, respected for their knowledge, and valued as equals in the workplace. For many, this has been life-changing – bringing independence, self-confidence and the chance to make a tangible difference to the lives of others.”

At the same time, their work carries an extra layer of meaning: they are a voice in the wider community, representing not only themselves but proudly showing how members of the Jewish learning disability and autism community contribute to society at large. At Kisharon Langdon, we could not be prouder of the achievements of those we support, whose voices are being heard and valued at the highest levels of the NHS

Kisharon Langdon welcomed supporters on Monday 27 October 2025 to its 7th Annual Evening of competitive Speed Monopoly, held at Landing Forty-Two, the spectacular event space at the top of the iconic Leadenhall Building in the City of London.

The event raised an incredible £38,000 in support of Kisharon Langdon’s vital work empowering individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people to live independent and fulfilling lives. The venue was generously donated by CC Land, owners of the Leadenhall Building, whose support helped make this special evening possible.

Proudly sponsored by OakNorth, ACRE and Estate Office, and Maslow Capital, the event brought together an enthusiastic crowd for an evening of fast-paced fun, community connection and meaningful fundraising. Guests enjoyed a drinks and dinner reception before the Monopoly tournament began in earnest.

Event host Adam Goldin, Head of CC Land UK, opened the evening with a heartfelt welcome speech, sharing movingly about his personal experiences of autism within his family and why supporting Kisharon Langdon’s mission means so much to him.

A highlight of the evening was a Q&A session with James Silver, a Kisharon Langdon member, chaired by Debbie Rees, Kisharon Langdon’s Assistant Director of Programming, Employment & Social Enterprise. James spoke openly about his life and how Kisharon Langdon has supported him to achieve greater independence and confidence.

Kisharon Langdon member, James Silver, said:
“Kisharon Langdon enables me to live more independently by supporting me with my everyday life admin. Most of all, I’m grateful to Kisharon Langdon for introducing me to so many like-minded individuals and helping me grow my circle of friends. I really enjoy the monthly Friday night dinners and the Wednesday evening sessions at Maccabi House after work. With special thanks to the Monopoly committee for enabling me to share my story.”

The Monopoly tournament was enthusiastically contested, with the winning team Fusion Group, comprising Ben Henry, Laura Kurt, Lee Goldberg and Seb Mattey, taking home the trophy and title of Kisharon Langdon 2025 Speed Monopoly Champions.

The event was made possible through the hard work of the event committee, including Nick Doffman (Co-Chair of Kisharon Langdon), Nigel Henry (Trustee), Adam Goldin, David Kanter, Ben Henry and Sam Castle. Pleased to have been joined by James Doffman, Co-Chair of Young Kisharon Langdon, who hosted the ever-popular Higher/Lower game.

Richard Franklin, Kisharon Langdon’s Chief Executive, said:
“We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us and to our generous sponsors, supporters and event committee for making the evening such a success. A special thank you to Adam Goldin and CC Land for donating the stunning venue at Landing 42 – their generosity enables us to continue providing life-changing opportunities and support for the people we work with every day.”

Funds raised from the evening will directly support Kisharon Langdon’s ongoing work offering education, employment, supported living and social opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, helping every individual lead a meaningful life in the community.

Kisharon Langdon’s 2025 Golf Day was an incredible success, raising £50,000 after a day of competitive golf at Hartsbourne Country Club. Held on Thursday 18 September, this fundraising event brought together supporters, sponsors and golfers for a day of camaraderie, fun and philanthropy.

Over 100 golfers participated in the club’s 18-hole Willow course in a Stableford team competition. Participants enjoyed a lively atmosphere, with a healthy Kosher breakfast to start, a halfway house refreshment break and a delicious buffet lunch, allowing players and guests to dine together and celebrate their contributions to a great cause.

During lunch, golfers heard directly about the life-changing impact of their support. Helen Sowa, Kisharon Langdon’s Director of Operations, spoke movingly about the role of the Good Days team (Adult Day Services) in creating a bespoke, tailored programme for every individual in their service.

“Good Days is a safe, supportive environment where people are seen for who they are. Where they can grow, connect and thrive. We give people the chance to build meaningful futures, and that’s something every one of us should be proud to support.”

Kisharon Langdon Chief Executive, Richard Franklin, expressed his gratitude:
“It was inspiring to witness the generosity of our golfing community once again, who showed such warmth and enthusiasm for Kisharon Langdon’s mission. Hearing directly from Helen and her colleague Stanley Omooni, Co-Manager of our Good Days service, about the bespoke opportunities offered through our Good Days programme provided a powerful sense of how their support truly transforms lives. We are deeply grateful to committee chair Tony Franks and his team, whose tireless commitment and energy ensured another outstanding event.”

Emma Nagli, Acting Director of Fundraising, added:
“This year’s golf day was a truly special occasion, bringing together our generous supporters with men from our Good Days programme, who had the chance to play alongside the golfers on the putting green and share in the spirit of the event. The incredible funds raised will directly support life-enhancing opportunities across Kisharon Langdon’s services. We are so grateful to everyone who took part, and we look forward to building on this success at next year’s tournament.”

The winners of this year’s Golf Day competition were Steve Ensor, Michael Green, Alan Rosen and Eric Deacon.

Alongside the competition, a raffle and silent auction helped raise vital funds to support Kisharon Langdon’s life-changing services. The day was a powerful demonstration of community spirit and shared commitment to ensuring individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people can thrive.

Six people supported by Kisharon Langdon have proudly completed a specially designed Barista Training Course, equipping them with practical skills and confidence to pursue future employment opportunities in the hospitality sector.

This inspiring initiative was born from a meaningful collaboration with Finchley Reform Synagogue, which selected Kisharon Langdon as the beneficiary of its High Holy Day Appeal. More than just a financial contribution, the synagogue was committed to building a lasting and hands-on relationship with the charity.

At the heart of this collaboration was Suzi Philip, volunteer at Finchley Reform Synagogue’s in-house café alongside Lucy Weiner. Suzi took the extra step of enrolling in a training course focused on teaching people with learning disabilities, ensuring she could deliver the sessions in an inclusive and empowering way.

Over several weeks, Suzi led twice-weekly sessions for six enthusiastic Kisharon Langdon participants. The comprehensive course covered everything from understanding the origins and varieties of coffee beans to mastering the use of professional barista equipment such as grinders, espresso machines, steam wands, tampers and milk frothing pitchers. Participants learned to prepare a wide range of coffee drinks, including espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites.

The training not only imparted technical skills but also boosted confidence and social engagement, offering each participant a tangible step towards future employment or volunteering in a café or hospitality environment.

The programme was made possible thanks to the generous support of Eighth Rung, who sponsored the course and helped bring this vision to life. At the end of the training, participants were awarded certificates of completion – a proud moment for them and everyone involved in the project.

“This programme embodies what Kisharon Langdon is all about – providing real, meaningful opportunities that empower people with learning disabilities and autistic people to thrive,” said Debbie Rees, Assistant Director of Community Services and Employment at Kisharon Langdon. “We are incredibly grateful to Finchley Reform Synagogue, Suzi Philip and Eighth Rung for their dedication and belief in our community.”

Kisharon Langdon course participant, Shammai, said “I was very happy on this course and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn to make wonderful coffees. I’m ready to make coffees for everyone!”
Suzi said “To work with members from Kisharon Langdon feels like we have been given a gift and what a privilege it has been to be a part of this initiative and to have met such interesting and enthusiastic young people.”

The success of the Barista Course is a shining example of what’s possible when charities and communities work together with purpose and passion.