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Mitzvah Day

Written by Movement for Reform Judaism Monday, 15 December 2008

On November 16th a number of Reform communities as well as RSY-Netzer took part in Mitzvah Day activities.

11,000 Jews and others gave a few hours of their time to support numerous good causes. Mitzvah day founder and chair, Laura Marks has congratulated all those who took part, saying “every project makes a real difference to the individuals it touches.”

Pictured left at Akiva School are Head of the Movement, Rabbi Dr.Tony Bayfield with Rabbi Miriam Berger of Finchley Reform Synagogue and other family members. Other communities involved as Mitzvah Day Partners included Alyth, Edgware and District Reform Synagogue, Finchley Reform Synagogue, Hendon Reform Synagogue, Kol Chai, Maidenhead, Manchester Reform Synagogue, Southgate and District Reform Synagogue, SWESRS, West London and Wimbledon and District Reform Synagogue.

The Manchester project – one of around 250 being organised nationally – involved MP John Leech visiting the Somerfield store in West Didsbury, where volunteers worked in conjunction with Mike Evans, Lay Reader at Christchurch in Darley Avenue, and Owen Little from the Quaker Group, to collect £800 worth of food for the benefit of the Night Shelter (Central Manchester), Cornerstones - a Roman Catholic centre which feeds and supports homeless people in Hulme, Manchester, Unity - an organisation in Oldham which supports and feeds homeless asylum seekers, and Mustard Tree, a homeless charity supported by local Quakers.

The interfaith ‘Buy One – Give One’ event was followed by a Human Rights Workshop on Asylum Seekers and Detention Centres held at Manchester Reform Synagogue later that day, facilitated by Susanna Bellino of RenéCassin, the Jewish human rights group.

Elsewhere, members of Manchester Reform Choir sang to Heathlands Residents, (Pictured below) whilst Cheder children wrapped presents for the needy and 25 members from Manchester Reform Synagogue took time out to clean up the oldest sections of Southern Cemetery.

Mitzvah Day Project organiser, Rosemary Taylor, said: “In these credit crunch times it’s good to know we can all still do our bit for charity by giving, not cash, but a little time. That’s what Mitzvah Day is all about and I am delighted that so many people turned out to support our various events.”