Valerie Bello awarded ‘Heritage Hero Lifetime Award’

March 13, 2025

Congratulations to Valerie Bello, recognised with the ‘Heritage Hero Lifetime Award’ by the Heritage Alliance

B’nai B’rith UK is delighted to announce that its long-time heritage activities Co-ordinator, Valerie Bello, has been recognised by the Heritage Alliance for her many years of service in promoting all aspects of heritage in the UK.

She was presented with the Heritage Alliance’s ‘Heritage Hero Lifetime Award’ at their prestigious annual Heritage Day at the historic Tower of London on Wednesday 5^th March, to reward over 25 years of tireless devotion to co-ordinating and promoting the charity’s heritage days, known as the European Days of Jewish Culture and Heritage (EDJCH). She is pictured left with the award, presented by Laura Carter (on the left) from Ecclesiastical Insurance who sponsored the awards and Carole Souter CBE, Chair of The Heritage Alliance.

Initiated by the B’nai B’rith Lodge in Strasbourg, the EDJCH rapidly spread across Europe and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. It is organised by a partnership between B’nai B’rith Europe, the European Council of Jewish Communities and the Spanish Jewry Network and is part of the Council of Europe’s project ‘Europe - A Common Heritage’. As a result of the EDJCH, the European Route of Jewish Heritage has evolved and is now one of the major cultural routes of Europe.

B’nai B’rith UK co-ordinates a huge range of heritage activities with a different theme each year, involving synagogues and Jewish organisations across the UK, who run open days, talks, guided walks, exhibitions and heritage-related events.

The Heritage Alliance unites over 200 independent heritage organisations in England as a powerful, effective and independent advocate for heritage. The organisation values all those volunteers who work to protect England’s heritage. From caring for rural heritage sites to engaging the next generation of visitors, volunteers’ skills, passion and commitment are the backbone of the heritage sector.

The Heritage Alliance’s Heritage Day is their flagship annual event, which this year brought together heritage leaders, professionals and volunteers for a day of keynote speeches, panels, workshops and networking opportunities, all centred around the theme 'Heritage Creates' - a celebration of how heritage fosters creativity and innovation.

For over a decade, the annual Heritage Heroes Awards have celebrated the extraordinary contributions of volunteers across the UK heritage sector. More than a simple ‘thank you’, these awards are a great opportunity to demonstrate how communities can take ownership of the historic environment around them and make a real difference. With multiple award categories, the awards supported by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical Insurance.

This year, the 15th annual Heritage Heroes Awards outstanding volunteers were nominated for these prestigious awards through two categories:

Heritage Heroes 2024 Award - Celebrating exceptional volunteer contributions in 2024
Heritage Hero Lifetime Award - Honouring individuals with 10+ years of dedicated service

All nominees were featured in a short film highlighting their achievements, screened during the ceremony. This is the Alliance’s way of celebrating and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of all their nominees and sharing their important work with leaders from across the heritage sector.

As a winner of a ‘Heritage Hero Lifetime Award’, Valerie Bello, who was accompanied at the event by her two sons and her daughter-in-law, was presented with a special plaque and gave a short thank you speech. Valerie also received a letter from the CEO of the Heritage Alliance, Lizzie Glithero-West, and their Chair, Carole Souter OBE, in recognition and thanks for her significant contribution to the sector.

Lizzie Glithero-West, CEO of the Heritage Alliance, said: “The Heritage Heroes Awards serve as a perennial reminder of the passion and commitment that volunteers in the heritage sector bring to heritage projects and places. From boat restoration to theatrical engagement, fundraising to community archaeology, this year has been no exception with an exceptional quality of nominees. Our panel heard inspiring stories and extraordinary feats from individuals and groups of all sizes. Our nation’s heritage story has always been intertwined with heroic voluntary effort and this continues today. Many congratulations to this year’s winners and all of those nominated for their hard work, creativity and dedication."

Valerie Bello said: “I was thrilled to learn I had won The Heritage Alliance's 'Heritage Hero Lifetime award', as I view it also as a tribute to my organisation, B'nai B'rith UK, one of whose main projects focuses on Heritage and, in particular, to the small group of volunteers who work with me on our Heritage Committee to coordinate the annual European Days of Jewish Culture and Heritage in the UK, a series of Open Days, guided tours, walks, exhibitions, lectures and events.

"The awareness and importance of Heritage has risen dramatically in recent years both here and on the Continent. The Heritage Alliance, of which we are proud to have been members for many years, encourages the appreciation and development of Heritage in all its facets: its Focus Groups, its Special Interest Groups and its representation to Government, to mention but a few of its activities. Heritage has a significant role to play in national life - in preserving our sense of history, in the preservation of heritage sites and in increasing our knowledge of life, art and architecture in the past and its influence on the future.”

< Older Post

Newer Post >

BBUK statement on the Aston Villa decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans

By Jeremy Havardi • October 17, 2025

B’nai B’rith UK is appalled by the decision of Birmingham City Council's Safety Advisory Group, as recommended by the West Midlands Police, to ban the fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending the November 6 Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham. This has been done for on the grounds that it is ‘high risk’ and that the safety of travelling Israeli fans may be compromised. Yet it is an egregious decision to ban or discriminate against the victims of prejudice, something that completely violates all standard protocols of anti-racism. Worse, it appears that the authorities have simply capitulated to a campaign of extremism from local figures. Iqbal Mohamed MP, in a statement on X, welcomed the ban as it would stop “Israeli hooligans and terrorists” from being able to “run riot in our country”. In a chilling threat, Muslim imam Asrar Rashid declared in a video that, “We will show no mercy toward Maccabi Tel Aviv fans who will arrive in several weeks for the match against Aston Villa.” These words are inflammatory and represent a clear form of incitement. If there are genuine safety concerns, the police could increase their presence or, in the worst case scenario, the match itself could be relocated. To prevent Israeli fans from travelling to the game sends out a clear message that they are not welcome in the United Kingdom. Given the rampant levels of antisemitism we have witnessed recently, this would also further alienate British Jews, still reeling from the murderous Yom Kippur attack in Manchester on 2nd October. It is now essential that this ban is reversed and the Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police held to account for this divisive and poorly judged decision

BBUK statement on this momentous day - 13 October 2025

By Jeremy Havardi • October 13, 2025

B’nai B’rith UK rejoices in the return of all 20 living hostages to Israel. We have waited for this momentous day for so long and we share in the joy and relief of their families. We hope that the hostages have all the support they need to make a speedy recovery from their unspeakable ordeal. We also share in the grief of those families that have received the remains of their loved ones and wish them long life. We extend our thanks to President Trump for making this day come and hope that his vision for peace and co-existence comes to pass. At the same time, we are outraged that Hamas has withheld the remains of the remaining hostages. It is now essential that the world demands their swift return in order to bring some much needed closure for their families.

BBUK welcomes the ceasefire agreement announced on 8 October

By Jeremy Havardi • October 9, 2025

B'nai B'rith UK has welcomed the news of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, announced last night. We are overjoyed that the Israeli hostages will be finally coming home and reunited with their families after such a long and traumatic experience. We hope that this can lead to a longer term political agreement based on the 20 points as outlined by President Trump. This must involve the removal of Hamas as the governing authority, the disarmament of all terrorists and the creation of a transitional authority in the Strip which is committed to both deradicalistion and reconstruction. We wish to thank President Trump for his efforts in mediating this agreement and all those in the region who are working for long term peace, security and stability.

BBUK statement on the Heaton Park Synagogue attack

By Jeremy Havardi • October 3, 2025

B’nai B’rith UK is appalled and devastated by yesterday morning’s attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue that killed two people and injured others. That this appalling attack took place on the solemn day of Yom Kippur makes it all the more cowardly and reprehensible. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish them long life, and hope the injured make a swift recovery. We also salute the bravery of the synagogue guard who helped prevent a far greater tragedy, as well as the swift response of the Greater Manchester Police. We would like to thank the King, as well as political and religious leaders for their support following the attack. We will continue to work with the authorities and other communal organisations to tackle the horrific scourge of antisemitism that has spiralled in the UK since October 7.

Update on our Anthony Julius Event

By LN040417 • September 30, 2025

Update on our Heritage Days Event with Anthony Julius

BBUK welcomes yesterday's historic plan

By Jeremy Havardi • September 30, 2025

B’nai B’rith UK welcomes the historic plan announced last night by President Trump and agreed by Benjamin Netanyahu to bring the Gaza war to an end. The agreement fulfils Israel’s principal war aims. Hamas must be disarmed and removed from Gaza, all hostages must be returned and Gaza can never again be a threat to Israel. This agreement gives Israel real security and allows Palestinians enhanced aid, economic reconstruction and the chance of a better future under new leadership. Pressure must now be placed on Hamas to agree to a deal that can bring lasting benefits to Israelis and Palestinians alike.

B'nai B'rith International - IMPACT REPORT Winter 2025

September 18, 2025

BB International have just published the Winter 2025 edition of their IMPACT REPORT - here is the list of contents:

Statement on this morning's terror attack in Jerusalem

By Jeremy Havardi • September 8, 2025

B’nai B’rith condemns in the strongest terms the abhorrent terror attack this morning in Jerusalem which has so far claimed six lives. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured a swift recovery. We also salute the heroism of first responders and soldiers who prevented an even greater tragedy this morning. For too long, Israel has faced the daily reality of terror attacks and the murderous incitement that accompanies them. Instead of recognising a Palestinian state that would be seen as a reward for terror, western governments should stand with Israelis in their just fight against those who wish them harm