Mazel tov to longtime Jewish heritage activist Valerie Bello who has been awarded the ‘Heritage Hero Lifetime Award’ by the Heritage Alliance, a network of more that 200 independent heritage organisations in England, focused on volunteer activists and activities.
Each year at its Heritage Day event — held this year on March 5 at the Tower of London, the Alliance presents awards celebrating exceptional volunteer heritage activists. The Heritage Hero Lifetime Award honors individuals with more than 10 years of dedicated service.
Bello, the longtime heritage activities co-ordinator for B’nai B’rith UK, has coordinated the European Days of Jewish Heritage (EDJC) in the UK for 25 years.
“Through her tireless efforts, she has ensured that the UK’s participation in the festival remains vibrant and impactful, bringing together synagogues, Jewish organizations, and cultural institutions to open their doors to the public,” the AEPJ — European Association for the Promotion and Preservation of Jewish Culture and Heritage, which coordinates the EDJC across Europe, said on its web site.
Her leadership has helped expand awareness, engagement, and appreciation for Jewish heritage, making it an integral part of the UK’s broader cultural landscape. For over two decades, Valerie has not only coordinated events but has also championed the importance of heritage preservation, fostering dialogue between Jewish and non-Jewish communities. Her work has strengthened ties between the EDJC and the UK’s national heritage sector, ensuring Jewish cultural sites and traditions receive the recognition they deserve. […] Her dedication exemplifies the spirit of the festival, ensuring that Jewish heritage remains an essential part of Europe’s cultural narrative.
In her acceptance speech, Bello paid tribute to her team of volunteers and stressed the increasing value of heritage programs.
“The awareness and importance of Heritage has risen dramatically in recent years both here and on the Continent,” she said. “[…]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.”