United Kingdom –  Chaired British WIZO, the Zionist Federation, Jerusalem 3000 and the Hillel Foundation.

Professionally worked as a Relationship and Education Counsellor.

Israel – Chaired World WIZO’s Public Affairs Department. Co-chaired Europeans for Israel. Chaired ESRA and is current Chair of IBCA which she formerly chaired from 2006 – 2009

Represented Israel at the Annual Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York for 7 consecutive years.

Currently writes a regular column in The Jerusalem Post.

Born in Manchester in 1941 where he worked as a Chartered Surveyor. He lived there most of his life before retiring and moving to Israel with his wife in 2011.

Joseph’s favourite hobby is travelling especially to the Far East and South America. Here in Israel, he regularly makes tiyulim to all parts the country, as there is just so much to do and see in this wonderful country.

He has three children and six grandchildren living in London.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1953 and graduated LL.B. M.A. from Glasgow University in 1976. He practised as a solicitor in private practice and is a past president of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council. He has served on the committee of his local synagogue, Habonim-Dror and Cosgrove Care (an organisation for adults and children with learning difficulties).

He conceived and co-authored a pictorial history – ‘Jewish Glasgow’ in 2013 and recently published ‘The Story of Glasgow Habonim-Dror’.

Having made Aliyah to Netanya in December 2012 he re-invented himself as a licensed tour guide. His passion is telling the story of Israel and he regularly organizes and leads tours for ESRA, IBCA and his local synagogue.

Andee made Aliyah to Israel in 2006. Her background is Mortgage Banking and sales.

She is active volunteering in different organizations within Israel and abroad. Once in Israel, she felt this was the land of Abraham and his tent, where he welcomed guests. Today, as Hon Membership Sec, she welcomes everyone to enjoy the unique activities that IBCA offers.

Andee is responsible for managing the annual renewal process for all members and for responding to new enquiries. She can be reached at membershipibca@gmail.com

Born in London in 1935 qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

From 1959 he advised many major authors such as Bertrand Russell and Len Deighton on taxation and copyright, helping to negotiate their contracts, editing their books and archiving their records.

As a leading expert on Jewish carpets, he gained an M. Phil., has lectured widely and written books and articles, seeing these carpets as cultural chronicles of the Jewish people. His latest book is a history of the image of the Horned Devil Jew.

Recently widowed, he has four children, six grandchildren and lives in Israel.

Born in Hampton Court (not the palace!) in 1941 and studied medicine in Liverpool, where he met and married his lovely wife Gloria.

Alex made Aliya in 1973, with two daughters then produced two Sabra sons.

He works (part time) as a general surgeon and Emeritus Professor at Tel Aviv University.

He has been an IBCA member over last 50 years, and is a past IBCA Chair.

Living in Israel is a dream.

Organiser of JNF activities in the UK, including formation and supervision of the Younger JNF Commissions.

Former Administrator of the Jewish Historical Society of England. First Lady member of the Council of Kenton United Synagogue. Involved in supporting Jewish Day School education and all communal activities in Israel and the UK.

Past Honorary Membership secretary of IBCA and participant in all aspects of its administrative work including the Balfour Dinner.

Active in a range of UK Zionist projects.

Married to Raymond Cannon and three sons in USA  and UK, 7 grandchildren.

Jack Copelovici is a former Barrister who appeared in both civil and criminal cases.

 Jack made Aliyah from Toronto in 2016 with his wife Ida and has lived in Raanana since 2017.  Both he and Ida are involved in extensive volunteering. 

Aside from being on the IBCA executive, Jack is also the Chair of ESRA Raanana, is a Raanana representative of Sar el and also volunteers as a mentor to Lone Soldiers through Habayit shel Benji. 

Born and bred in Manchester, married to David and with a growing family in Israel, Judith together with David divides her time between the UK and Netanya.

Judith was a JP on the Manchester Bench and served on various committees including UJIA Young Marrieds, Manchester Benevolent Society and The Genesis Appeal. She also founded and ran The North Manchester Jewish Carers Support Group.

Judith is very enthusiastic about IBCA and sees her dual life as a great opportunity to spread positive news about Israel to Britain and the Commonwealth. 

Melvin recently stepped back from the central London law firm he set up in 1983.  His main professional focus was looking after Banks and real estate investor clients in Hong Kong, Singapore and elsewhere in S.E. Asia where he spent significant time.  

Melvin is a trustee of UJIA in the UK and on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency.

He and his wife Sharman live most of the time in Israel, and have children and grandchildren in London and Tel Aviv.

Born and bred in London, David emigrated to Manchester when he married Judith.

A Chartered Accountant by profession, David runs a Brand and Licensing Consultancy.

David was Chairman of Manchester JSoc, Chairman of UJIA Young Marrieds, President of Whitefield Hebrew Congregation for 5 years and on its Executive for over 10 years, serving in every capacity, which means that he has great experience in management and planning! 

David spends many hours online advocating for Israel and sees his involvement in IBCA as a natural progression. 

In Remembrance of Our Wonderful Vice Chair, Sam Lewis

Samuel Alexander Lewis, IBCA’s Vice-Chairman, passed away on December 21st 2022.He became involved with the Association, under the chairmanship of the late John Furman, some 30 plus years ago.

Over this period of time Sam (as he was known to all) was the prime activist in organizing the Balfour Dinner – IBCA’s flagship event.  His professional experience enabled him to ensure that the venue was suited to the occasion recognizing the importance of a well -equipped sound system.  He was an excellent Master of Ceremonies at this prestigious event for many years.

Sam’s leadership qualities were an invaluable asset to IBCA and to each successive chairperson.  His contribution to the organization will be sadly missed by our Executive,  members of IBCA and specifically by me as the current chair of IBCA. 2023 will see the reinstatement of the Balfour Dinner following a COVID hiatus. His absence will be felt at many levels as IBCA will be denied the benefit of his warm personality and vast experience.

Aside from the important role he undertook for IBCA Sam Lewis was the Chairman of AJEX (Association of Jewish Ex-servicemen) in Israel.  Each year (excluding the period during the height of COVID) he was an active participant at the Annual British Remembrance Sunday taking place in Israel at the British War Cemeteries. It was at last year’s ceremony that he gave his final moving address to the participants.

Sam was born and spent his early days in the East End of London. When evacuated, during World War II,   he began violin lessons which, ultimately, led to his professional life as a musician.  He later turned to the viola as his main instrument and became part of the London Symphony Orchestra.  He began a career as a conductor and became the conductor of the orchestra at London’s famous Drury Lane Theatre.

He made Aliyah in 1968 when invited to manage and conduct the Haifa Symphony Orchestra.  In 1972 he formed the Netanya Orchestra attracting numerous Olim from the Former Soviet Union. The Gulf War saw the demise of the Netanya Orchestra.  He was approached by Boosey & Hawkes, the largest classical music publishers in the world, to represent the company ensuring composers rights were observed both during and after their death. This prestigious appointment led to his being appointed to represent many other such agencies.

Sam leaves a son and daughter and their respective families. He also leaves his beloved partner of 31 years, Batsheva Israels, who supported him in all his endeavors both professionally and personally; they formed a great team.

May his memory be as a blessing.

Brenda Katten