Since 2023, HIAS+JCORE has been awarding the Dubs Award to individuals displaying outstanding commitment to refugees and people seeking asylum. The awards are named after Lord Alf Dubs, who arrived in the UK as a child refugee on the Kindertransport to escape Nazi persecution and is a lifelong advocate for those who have come to the UK to seek sanctuary.
In 2026, nominations are again open to partners, supporters, and the public.
This year, we are again inviting nominations in two categories: the Dubs Award for Outstanding Commitment and the Dubs Legacy Award for Emerging Leaders.
Each award celebrates an individual who has:
Like its previous winners, Dr Edie Friedman and Dr Richard Stone OBE, the Dubs Award for Outstanding Commitment reflects a long-term devotion to the cause.
We are delighted to also be running the Dubs Legacy Award for Emerging Leaders for the second year. This prize will be awarded to someone aged 30 or under who has been leading positive change for refugees and people seeking asylum. Learn more about our inaugral winner, Abdullahi Yussuf.
Anyone who meets the above criteria! Nominations needn’t be for someone with a Jewish background, and we warmly encourage nominations from and for individuals with lived experience of the asylum system.
Nominations are open until 31 August 2026. The awards will be presented at a special ceremony during HIAS+JCORE’s annual reception in November 2026.
Abdullahi Yussuf
We were delighted to recognise Abdullahi Yussuf, a remarkable young leader, in the inaugural Dubs Legacy Award for Emerging Leaders in 2025. Driven by his own lived experience and personal limbo in the UK’s asylum system, Abdullahi is a passionate campaigner for his peers. He volunteers with several organisations empowering displaced people, supporting with legal casework, and enabling access to justice.
Deborah Koder
Our 2025 winner is a lifelong advocate for refugee rights. In 2006, Deborah co-founded the New North London Synagogue Destitute Asylum Seeker Drop in. She later established the ‘Welcome Programme’ in 2017. This cultural community group helped support the 15 Syrian families who Finchley Progressive Synagogue helped to resettle in the UK.
Dr Richard Stone
We were honoured to posthumously award the 2024 Lord Dubs Award to Dr Richard Stone. Richard was a huge figure in fight against racism in Britain, and a lifelong campaigner against injustice. This included playing an important role in the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Richard also made pivotal contributions towards bringing together Jewish and Muslim communities in this country. We are deeply proud that Richard served as JCORE’s chair for a number of years.
Dr Edie Friedman
The inaugral 2023 Lord Dubs Award was presented to JCORE’s founder and Honorary President Dr Edie Friedman, in recognition of her extensive impact on the causes of race relations and the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. Edie established JCORE – then known as the ‘Jewish Social Responsibility Council’ – in Leeds in 1976, and headed the organisation for over 45 years. As Executive Director, she led the Jewish response on issues of asylum, refugees, and racial equality, with JCORE supporting hundreds of displaced people across the decades.
