Trustee Board

Levi Yitzchok, who was diagnosed with Crohn's at the age of 13 years, has been instrumental in setting up the CCR organisation, liaising with medical professionals and supporting many patients emotionally through their IBD journey. He is exceptionally experienced, passionate and dedicated in setting the direction of the charity in partnership with the othe trustees. Two years ago he was appointed as Jewish Hospital Chaplain at UCLH. He is also the founder of Jewish Community Council North London. Levi has forged excellent links with government officials and MPs over the last eight years. His future plans include a Parliamentary bill passed entitling IBD patients to full disability benefits as well as providing facilities for IBD patients in public spaces. He is a great, loyal and hardworking community activist and volunteers many hours for various local charities to help people in need. Levi Yitzchak is deeply committed to improving patients’ quality of life through shared decision making – dialogues between patients and the medical team about the best treatment plan available and liaison with school head teachers to create awareness of IBD. He ensures that patients receive appropriate and timely care especially those who are at risk of malnutrition, anaemia or who are already malnourished, improving health outcomes by liaising with medical professionals, qualified nutritionists and dieticians. He also works with medical teams to ensure appropriate food is available for patients in accordance with their cultural requirements and choice.

Paul has been a vital partner in supporting CCR’s activities since its inception and in expanding the organisation to what it is today. He is a property manager and has a broad mix of financial skills based on his corporate financial experience. He has seen the organisation evolve, growing from strength to strength to a position now where there are fantastic opportunities to make a real difference to the lives of IBD sufferers. He plans to take a more strategic role in helping the organisation to deliver its goals and vision. The charity's vision of seeing a world where lives are not limited by Crohn’s and Colitis is one that is very real to him as an IBD patient, and he relishes the opportunity to play a greater role as a trustee in helping to achieve it through attracting the right medical professionals.

Paul, who was diagnosed at the young age of 10, experienced huge embarrassment during his childhood years concealing his illness in school and leaving him feeling isolated and depressed. This negative impact on his quality of life as a child,made him want to provide a lifeline for people of all ages affected by IBD through CCR.

Research shows that 70% of people with Crohn's disease and 30% of people with ulcerative colitis undergo surgery. Paul's goal is to prevent the progression of the disease and induce sustained remission by creating more awareness, offering professional guidance and support. He strongly believes that diagnosis, treatment, awareness and information about IBD could be improved.

Mordechai and his family have first-hand experience of the limiting and painful aspects of IBD. Mordechai is a teacher of Jewish studies and has many years’ experience in working with disadvantaged children and young people. He has seen the number of children and young people suffering from IBD growing year on year. Conscious of the lack of knowledge about IBD in the Jewish Community, the stigma often associated with it and its high prevalence in the Jewish population, he joined CCR as a trustee, to provide a resource for members of the community to better understand IBD and create a support network for those living with it.