Our Story
Founded in December 2022, The Zohar Dean Trust is working to create a special legacy in memory of Zohar Dean Collins. Read about Zohar, the Trust and meet the volunteers who are making this all possible below!
The Zohar Dean Trust launched with an Open Mic night on 17th December 2022. Over 150 people attended, with performances from musicians, poets, comedy groups and more. In the first six months, we raised over £6000, and announced our beneficiaries as Our Second Home, In2Science UK and LJY-Netzer, all causes that were very close to Zohar’s heart.
Zohar Dean Collins
Zohar Dean Collins was a youth leader, an award-winning physicist, and a beloved son, brother, grandson, and friend. His name, which quite literally translates to ‘brightest spark,’ is the perfect way to describe who he was: an amazing young man with the unique talent to make those around him feel special, heard, and loved.
He was born on the 22nd of December, 1999, and grew up in Deptford, South London. He attended the City of London Academy before moving to JCoSS, a Jewish secondary school in North London, for his sixth form. Everywhere Zohar went, he made friends, and people were simply drawn to him. As one friend described it, his time spent with Zohar was none other than ‘magic’. He grew up attending South London Liberal Synagogue and, as a result, joined LJY-Netzer as a young teenager, continuing to volunteer and inspire the next generation for years to come.
In 2019, Zohar started an integrated Masters course in Physics at the University of Leeds. He was extremely successful, taking up the role of Trip Secretary in the Physics society and subsequently winning an award for his academic excellence. He had just finished his third-year exams and was preparing to start his Masters when he tragically died in a fatal accident on holiday. The loss of Zohar sent shockwaves through all the communities he was a part of.
Shortly after his passing, in the summer of 2022, Rosa, Martha and Sapphire had a conversation about Zohar’s legacy and concluded that this overwhelming grief couldn’t be the end of it. In his short life, Zohar had impacted so many people, and they were determined that this should continue. With that conversation, The Zohar Dean Trust was born. The original concept was to provide a space for those who loved Zohar to channel their grief in a healthy way, supporting causes that were close to his heart. Since its inception, that is exactly what it has done.
Volunteers
Rosa Slater
Chair
Rosa is Chair of the Trustees and co-founded The Zohar Dean Trust. She became friends with Zohar through LJY-Netzer, their youth movement and now works in politics. Speaking of Zohar she says “Zohar believed in the world and always saw the best in people. His spirited zest for life, quick wit and uplifting energy always made me smile. I want to be able to continue to spread Zohar’s nature to those who both were and weren’t able to get the pleasure of meeting him. Funding projects that mirror our experiences together as volunteer youth workers feels a very fitting way to forever honour Zohar’s memory.”
Martha Slater
Administrator
Martha graduated from the University of Leeds with a first-class degree in International History and Politics. She has since worked in public relations and aspires to be a documentary producer. Martha met Zohar when she was 16 years old through their youth movement, LJY-Netzer. Reflecting on her friendship and relationship with Zohar, Martha says, "Having the privilege of not only being best friends with Zohar but spending three years of my life as his girlfriend will always be my biggest blessing. He was truly gifted, seeing the best in everyone and instantly putting people at ease. He was the funniest, kindest soul, and I forever carry him in everything I do. It’s all for you ZoZo, I hope we're making you proud."
Brittany Wheeler
Treasurer
Brittany graduated from the University of Birmingham with a 1st Class Honours degree in Economics before qualifying as an independent financial planner helping clients with their mortgages, investments and pensions. She has a keen focus on Corporate Social Responsibility and designing ESG investment portfolios. Brit was introduced to Zohar through her fellow trustees, Martha and Rosa. She reflects on how ‘his warmth, joy and laughter was infectious and he had a knack for putting you at ease and making you feel welcome, whatever the occasion. I am so proud to be a part of the Zohar Dean Trust. I feel very lucky to have known Zohar and am looking forward to fundraising for our amazing beneficiaries in his memory.’
Sapphire Collins
Trustee
Sapphire studies Psychology at Swansea University and is a youth leader on LJY-Netzer. As Zohar’s sister, Sapphire played an integral role in founding ZDT, and in September 2023, joined in an official capacity as a Trustee. Sapphires describes ‘I wanted to channel my sadness of losing my brother into something powerful like creating a platform for others to remember and direct all the misplaced love towards. I also feel closer to Zohar by raising money for charity close to his heart.’
Coby Plews
Trustee
Coby is a bit of a nerd (like Zohar) and studied engineering at Uni. He was friends with Zohar since before he can remember, having lived very near to Zohar’s grandparents who were such an important part of his life. He visited them (and often Coby) every single weekend. Speaking on his new role, Coby said ‘I am honoured that Martha and Rosa asked me to join them as a trustee, and I look forward to continuing Zohar’s legacy.’
Contributors
Of course, it takes more than just our team of Trustees to make all of this happen. We want to give a very special thank you to all of our other volunteers who contribute to the running of the ZDT. Coming soon...