By Micaela Blitz
The Jewish Small Communities Network (JSCN) has announced the appointment of former Mitzvah Day CEO Stuart Diamond to spearhead the expansion of CREATE, as the empowerment initiative enters its second year.
JSCN supports more than 100 Jewish communities across 72 towns and remote areas in the UK, a constituency of 65,000 people. Through resources, training, and advocacy, JSCN ensures Jewish life remains vibrant and sustainable – regardless of community size.
CREATE is a four-year initiative is designed to empower these smaller communities through fostering resilience, engagement and activism. Using a strategic blend of partnerships, resources and programmes the initiative aims to strengthen communal bonds, encourage leadership development and enhance Jewish identity.
The project features a dynamic portfolio of programmes including One Shabbat, an annual summit to encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing and educational programmes to connect schools with expert volunteers and professional Jewish speakers and resources.
Ed Horwich, Chief Executive of JSCN, said he was “thrilled” with the appointment of Stuart as Head of Community Engagement. Ed added: “His expertise and passion will be instrumental as we scale CREATE to strengthen Jewish life in smaller communities—home to 25% of the UK’s Jewish population. With National Lottery funding, we’re building a sustainable future for these communities, ensuring they thrive despite today’s challenges.”
The long-term goal of the programme is to collaborate with leading organisations such as Jewish Care, CST and Jewish Heritage projects to maximise its reach and aims to engage with community members, activists, policy makers and service providers as well as over 50,000 students through schools and youth groups over the lifespan of the project.
As an accomplished community leader, Stuart considers his involvement in this ambitious project as “a tremendous opportunity to make a tangible difference”, adding that he looks forward to collaborating with communities nationwide “to bring CREATE’s vision to life.”
