Lauder Fellow Rheannon Platman Launches Belfast Young Jewish Professionals

Lauder Fellow Rheannon Platman has launched Belfast Young Jewish Professionals (BYJP), an exciting new initiative. For Rheannon, this isn’t just another networking group—it’s a heartfelt project born out of a desire to create a space for young Jewish graduates to connect, grow, and thrive as they move beyond the student experience of Belfast JSoc.

BYJP was created to fill a gap in the community, offering young professionals a place to build meaningful relationships and establish a solid professional network in the city. Rheannon sees it as a stepping stone, providing members with the skills and opportunities to advance their careers in Belfast. Though still in its early stages, BYJP has big plans, starting with growing its membership base and laying the foundation for an exciting calendar of events.

At its core, BYJP is about more than career development—it’s about building a supportive, dynamic community. Rhiannon’s long-term vision includes everything from team-building outings and networking events to a mentorship program and a women’s branch. She’s passionate about incorporating Jewish learning opportunities, fostering cross-community collaboration, and creating intellectual and personal growth spaces through initiatives like a book club and guest speaker series.

For Rheannon, BYJP represents the next chapter of Jewish life in Belfast, which she hopes will resonate far beyond the city. She’s thrilled to see this idea take shape and is committed to making BYJP a cornerstone for young Jewish professionals across the UK and Ireland. With BYJP, Rheannon is not just building a network—she’s building a future.