Talya Jacobson, 21, the eldest daughter of Chief Executive Dr Beverley Jacobson, addressed a 700-strong crowd at Kisharon’s 40th Anniversary Dinner at the Park Lane Hilton on Sunday night, (22 May).

Talya, who has cerebral palsy, a severe visual impairment and learning difficulties, decided to make her maiden speech only that morning – as a result the evening raised a record £1,007,500.
“When I was very little I had meningitis and my family thought I couldn’t walk or talk – but look at me now,” said Miss Jacobson. “I am living in a flat independently, thanks to Kisharon.  I like to collect money to help others so tonight I want to ask all of you to give money to help other people like me.”

Earlier, Kisharon Chairman Philip Goldberg told guests the charity had exchanged on a site.  “For our latest social enterprise initiative, a new flagship store is due to open in the autumn, building on the successes of Kisharon print shop and bike shop.”
Endorsements for Kisharon’s work came from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who was the guest speaker and Israeli Ambassador, Mark Regev.

Kisharon’s longest-serving employee Hazel Irving, made the toast to Her Majesty The Queen.
Guests saw a recent video of Kisharon’s visionary founder Chava Lehman, now in her 85th year and living in Jerusalem.  With encouragement from the late Lord and Lady Jacobovits, she begged and borrowed desks so that Kisharon could open its doors in 1976 with two rented rooms on Finchley Road.
A new Kisharon film showed the shift in attitudes towards people with learning disabilities over four decades. Bev and her second eldest daughter Dani, 20, were part of a group visiting a disused asylum in Liverpool – still housing machinery used to give electric shock treatments, providing a stark contrast to therapies and facilities offered today.

“Years ago, if you were born with a learning disability you were kept behind closed doors, or in an institution such as this,” says Bev on film. “There wasn’t a clear understanding about mental health issues or learning disabilities.”

Eyes turned to the stage when people supported by Kisharon joined American rapper Nissim Black for an a cappella routine. Mr Black, who is an orthodox convert, embraced Judaism after his son contracted meningitis.

Commenting on the evening, Kisharon chairman Philip Goldberg said: “This is a landmark in Kisharon’s history.  Last night when I welcomed everyone, I said that our fundraising target was £750,000; this morning I am speechless [to learn that we have raised over £1m]. Thank you to everyone involved in making this brilliant result happen.  It is incredible to think of how many people with learning disabilities have been supported by Kisharon over an entire generation and the huge progress they have made.”

To see more photos from Kisharon’s anniversary dinner click here.

PHOTOS: John Rifkin