This year, 2009, is the 25th anniversary of Rabbi Dr. Werner van der Zyl's passing and we felt it fitting to commemorate his life in some special way. We know that one of his main concerns had always been the nurturing of young people to encourage them to become the leaders, teachers and Rabbis of the future. As a young rabbi in Berlin, he witnessed the mindless vandalism of the Nazis, with the burning of books and synagogues, as part of Hitler's efforts to destroy liberal culture and Judaism. He vowed that if he survived, he would build a College that would ensure the continuing leadership of Reform and Liberal Judaism.

Despite the present difficult times, we must look forward and to this end we have decided to make an award at Leo Baeck College in his honour. Known as the Rabbi van der Zyl Award, it will be granted to the College rabbinic student who has also made a significant contribution to working with Jewish youth and/or young adults during the year. The award will be presented at the annual College Graduation Ceremony. The Award Committee are expected to be the Principal of the Leo Baeck College, the Senior Rabbis of the North Western Reform and West London Synagogues, Rabbi Dr. Lionel Blue, the Senior Youth Leaders of the Reform and Liberal Movements, as well as Nikki van der Zyl.

Initially, we are aiming for a sum of £10,000 in order to service an award for the next five years. That may create one year's growth at the end of year 5. Half the award should be used for the expenses of the programmes which the recipient is running, or has initiated in the area of Jewish youth and/or young adult work. The other half is for the student's own use in order to compensate them for the time they dedicated to this project.

Should we reach our target, one fifth of the fund will be placed in the account already opened, to commission a bust of Rabbi van der Zyl. This will stand as a lasting memorial to the Rabbi who, with the generous help of Leonard Montefiore, founded the Leo Baeck College. To bring this idea to fruition, we are asking you to donate to the fund. Any donations of £10, £25, £50, £100 or more would be most appreciated. We want as many people as possible to contribute. A Memorial book will include every donor. Cheques should be made payable to the College for the attention of Stephen Ross, marking it for the Rabbi van der Zyl Award, so that it is allocated to that fund. Please indicate whether your donation can be Gift Aided.