Mitzvah Day Case Studies from 2010 activities

Oxford Jewish Congregation

The Oxford Jewish Congregation, a unique mix of Jews from across the religious spectrum, chose to work with the newly-formed Council of Faiths in Oxford on Mitzvah Day. The two groups took this opportunity to work together to add more trees to the Cumnor Community Woodland, a public area which is open to everyone in Oxford, and where 18,000 trees are to be planted over the next few years. This environmental project was chosen as it had been such a success on Mitzvah Day 2009. A link has been formed which the community now cherish.

On Mitzvah Day, the Jewish community along with the Council of Faiths made some real progress on this project. Working together on such an activity gave them the opportunity to chat and learn about each other, and in turn learn how much they have in common. Friendships were developed and all participants are looking forward to working together in the future.

Alei Tzion

For their first ever Mitzvah Day, Alei Tzion chose to work on a project which would have real long-term impact and would support those with disabilities in our community.

Alei Tzion chose to run its Book Club on Mitzvah Day at Jewish Care’s Rela Goldhill home, for people with disabilities. It brought together members of both communities as equals, serving to break down barriers and stigmas attached to people with disabilities. Not all of the participants enjoyed the book they had read, which sparked serious and critical discussion. Very positively, those who took part on Mitzvah Day now intend to make it a regular event. The club at Rela Goldhill has the opportunity to grow and foster real friendships and to inspire other communities to follow the same pattern in future.  “It was really great to meet the residents and everyone got a lot out of the Book Club. We’ll be going back soon!” (Ben Vos, Book Club participant.)

Alyth

For one of many of projects on Mitzvah Day 2010, members of Alyth Synagogue and the local Hindu community decided to spend their time entertaining seniors from both faiths. The relationship between the two communities started on Mitzvah Day the previous year, and a special characteristic of the day was the mutual respect and understanding between the communities that has developed. Both played their part and learnt a great deal from each other, whilst bringing real joy to the elderly people present, who in turn made their own impression on the performers; the relationship between the two communities continued to develop on a truly positive note.

Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue

Borehamwood and Elstree’s Mitzvah Day this year was it’s largest so far, with over 200 community volunteers giving their time. For the first time, the synagogue organised a cross-generational and cross-communal Mitzvah Day, with the activities chosen to appeal to all ages, subsequently attracting a vast number of local residents from toddlers to grandparents. Furthermore, in a show of real community strength, the synagogue teamed up with other local organisations; Ohr Yisrael Synagogue, Radlett United Synagogue, Yavneh College, Hertsmere Jewish Primary School, BES Tribe, Gilah Nursery and Little Bicks Nursery.

Mitzvah Day 2010 saw Rabbis combine forces, generations join hands, and individuals from across the Jewish spectrum demonstrate pride in their Jewishness, united in their faith and ultimately in their aim to do something good.

North West Surrey Synagogue

On Mitzvah Day 2010, volunteers in Surrey chose to give their time to help the homeless in the area. Dozens of participants collected a huge amount of food, outside four large supermarkets, before sorting and packing all the food into gift boxes, with the help of the younger parts of the community.

The community’s actions ensured that a large box of food was given to all of the homeless and needy people in the area in time for Christmas, through a local charity - the Thames Homeless Project. Both the volunteers and food donors learnt about the charity and about the Jewish concept of a mitzvah, and their actions brought real benefits to local needy people.

St Philip's Centre, Leicester

Mitzvah Day in the Leicester Jewish community was an extraordinary show of community spirit and what can be achieved. A community that is small in number produced huge results and had a major impact on the local women’s shelter, the beneficiary of the day.

The Orthodox and Progressive communities worked together, a rare occurrence, to create and accomplish this wonderful initiative, at the same time coordinated by a Muslim. The communities organised a huge collectathon of toiletries, with the goods being delivered to a local women’s shelter, and were stunned by the sheer volume of toiletries collected and the huge amount of publicity in newspapers and on the radio and internet. A first time effort has led to such a dynamic that already a legacy has been created; Leicester will always have a Mitzvah Day from now on.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews

The 500 guests at the Board’s 250th anniversary celebrations were expecting to see the strength of a forward thinking, cross-communal, centrally important communal institution. Between the Board and Mitzvah Day, they saw two.

Volunteers from the Board’s own Environment and Social Action Group greeted guests and gave them the opportunity to sign cards to British service men and women protecting our country abroad.

The response was emphatic. The Board’s President, Deputies, visiting faith leaders and leading politicians including Ed Balls MP all queued up to sign the cards to say ‘thank you’.

Guests of all backgrounds praised the Board’s endorsement of such an upbeat manifestation of Jewish identity. For their part, the volunteers were emphatic that we should do more social action events at the Board, and a programme of such events is now being planned on everything from the environment to asylum, and from fairtrade to international development.

Helping Hands, Brighton (JC competition winner)

Helping Hands was established in 2000. Run by volunteers, it is a reminder that in a time when the world seems to be bleak and full of despair, it is the seemingly small gestures that can make a big difference.

In Brighton, Helping Hands ensured that this was a really exceptional Mitzvah Day. The aim was for everyone in the community to connect and to care for people both within the community and also those in the wider world.  The theme was Cakes across the Community and the children of both BHHC and BHRS chederim decorated and wrote Mitzvah messages on white cake boxes. Sussex J-Soc students helped to pack the boxes with cup cakes and to decorate messages on the cakes. Participants of all ages, many volunteering for the first time, delivered over 100 cake boxes to the housebound, to those sick in hospital and to residents in the Jewish Care Hyman Fine Home for the elderly. In addition, food was taken to a local shelter for the homeless ensuring that people well beyond our community benefited directly from the day.

Festive tea, fun and of course, cake,  was served in the afternoon to around 150 people -  all together - including seniors, students and families plus residents of Norwood’s Tikvah Home (for adults with learning disabilities) who were warmly welcomed.

Brighton’s Mitzvah Day truly showed what can be achieved when we all give just a little of our time - for others. 

Habonim Dror and Faith Network 4 Manchester

On Mitzvah Day, youth from Habonim Dror got their hands dirty working on the Faith Network 4 Manchester’s allotment. Those who took part learnt about this amazing initiative, in which the plots are owned by those with terminal illnesses, with the produce being given to the needy. Furthermore, the interfaith aspect was a wonderful opportunity, with Jews, Muslims and Christians taking part on the day, and throughout the year. The youth involved were proud to represent the Jewish community and to establish what will hopefully be a strong bond with members of other faith communities. The Faith Network were delighted to welcome in new volunteers to take part in this ongoing project which is maintained by volunteers all year round.

Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation

On Mitzvah Day, the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation worked together with students from Langdon College, who have special needs. This was an eye-opening experience for many involved, and both groups learnt from each other and passed on different skills, whilst at the same time giving to those in need and reaching out to the wider community. People of all ages took part and an awareness was raised about the amount of poverty that unfortunately does exist amongst the Jewish community. Following the success of the day, Heaton Park intends to invite the Langdon College students to activities and events in the future.

Jewish Care

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death…… I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." Bill Shankly, Manager Liverpool F.C. 1959-73. On Mitzvah Day 2010 Bill Shankly’s now-famous words yet again proved right as two Leyton Orient footballers visited residents of Jewish Care’s Vi & John Rubens House in Ilford. Their visit brought fun, laughter and love into the home. It was clear from the start that both the residents and the footballers were having a wonderful time. As much as the residents, staff volunteers and the directors of Jewish Care enjoyed having Alex Revell and Ben Chorley in the home, the footballers loved meeting members of the older generation. Ben Chorley even bought a scarf, hand-knitted by one of the residents, for his two year old daughter! Members of Leyton Orient have promised to continue the relationship with Jewish Care in 2011 by making a second visit to Vi & John Rubens as well as becoming involved with other Jewish Care resources in Ilford.