Charity supp, issue 980

www.jewishnews.co.uk

8 DECEMBER 2016

Supplement

A Year of Giving

Let Jewish News tell your story…

Edited by Brigit Grant

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Jewish News 8 December 2016

Charity / Your story

Let Jewish News tell your story…

Brigit Grant reflects on the many supplements Jewish News has created for worthy causes in 2016

T

World Jewish Relief success in our supplement

HIS WEEK, I DRESSED AS MINNIE MOUSE and with my sister (Bob the Builder) and nephew (Mickey Mouse) embraced the festive spirit and went to Barnet Hospital to give out presents to sick children. Camp Simcha is responsible for this heart-warming initiative, which it does annually and it is as moving as one would expect.

But it is the charity itself, which was set up to improve the quality of life for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses that is overwhelming and this is true of all of the charities that serve our community so devotedly.

Over the past year, Jewish News has worked closely with a number of philanthropic organisations creating bespoke pull-outs that detail their history and aims, as well as reporting on their activities in dedicated charity supplements. Doing this has been humbling and inspiring, allowing me to meet some extraordinary people, while hopefully giving our readers a better

understanding of what these charities do.

All of the organisations are indispensable, but among those we collaborated with in 2016 was World Jewish Relief, which in February was working with Syrian refugees, having raised £820,000 to care for them, while continuing to help 68,911 other people around the globe. Caring for such vast numbers is unimaginable, but not for WJR. The UK charity that supports Shaare Zedek in Jerusalem gave us access to the men and women who work in the hospital – a senior paediatrician who lost his leg in battle while serving as a lieutenant; the chief of trauma medicine who runs marathons to raise funds; the Arab nurse who is a Holocaust tour guide. All we had to do was tell the stories of these heroic healers, but their

JDA cover star Kieran Sorkin

Asael Lubotzky at Shaare Zedek hospital

work is so impressive that condensing it into 1,000 words was a dilemma.

This was also the issue with the Jewish Deaf Association, where clients who use its services have overcome impossible hurdles.

We wanted to include them all, but found a poignant focus with cover star Kieran Sorkin, who was born without ears.

Every charity is rich with human tales bolstering its cause, be it the Holocaust survivors who join The March of the Living to help educate young adults, or the JAMI volunteers who share their own experiences to support others with mental health issues.

After creating a supplement for the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind, I will end the year visiting the organisation in Tel Aviv and seeing its remarkable work for myself.

Observing these charities in action makes you realise how tzedakah in all its many forms is ingrained in the people who manage, work and volunteer for them. There is no collective noun for a group of charities, but I propose ‘a veneration’, because what they do feels you with such awe. Working with these charities in 2016 was a privilege; let us tell the story of your charity in 2017.

March of the Living is in April 2017

Why not sponsor a puppy for Chanukah? israelguidedog.org.uk/donate.html

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Demystifying Mizrachi Rabbi Andrew Shaw, the charity’s CEO, explains its role and rise in 2016 MIZRACHI? Are you something to do with a bank? Part of the Sephardi community?

A musical genre? When I left the United Synagogue to take up the job of chief executive of Mizrachi in 2015, I received many questions similar to the ones above. To be honest, until recently, I wouldn’t really have known how to answer the questions successfully.

So, yes, there is a Bank Mizrachi – but that is nothing to do with us.

Yes, Mizrachi does mean from the east and is a general term for Jews descended from local communities of the Middle East from biblical times into modern era. And, yes, Mizrachi refers to a music genre in Israel that combines elements from Europe, North Africa and the Arab world, and is mainly performed by Israelis of Mizrachi descent.

However, none of that is anything to do with Mizrachi UK or Mizrachi Olami – World Mizrachi Based in Jerusalem, World Mizrachi is a global, Torah-driven, community-focused educational organisation committed to Jewish identity and destiny. The Mizrachi World Movement is the umbrella religious Zionist organization for activities in Israel and around the world, with branches and affiliates across the globe. Mizrachi UK is one of those branches.

Founded in 1902, it was the only religious movement to partner with the Zionist enterprise. Its name, Mizrachi, is a combination of two Hebrew words, merkaz ruchani, meaning a spiritual centre.

Mizrachi’s role then and now is to be a proactive partner and take personal responsibility in contributing to the collective destiny of the Jewish people through a commitment to a holistic and inclusive Torah approach to life.

Whether it is between the spiritual and the secular, the modern and the Orthodox, the religious and the Zionist, the new and the old, the individual and the collective, Mizrachi sees itself as a bridge to weave together all these values into a wholesome rich spiritual perspective and life.

Here in the UK, we have expanded rapidly over the past year. We have employed a remarkable rabbinic scholar from Israel to teach in Hasmonean High School and in the commu-

nity. We have brought over many inspirational speakers and teachers from Israel. We are training and investing in the next generation of Jewish leaders by supporting them through their advanced studies in Israel and working with our Jewish schools to provide top level educational and leadership programming. We are also making sure major Jewish celebrations such as Yom Yerushalayim are suitably celebrated and, last year, more than 800 people came to our celebration with Yaakov Shwekey.

This year, we are gearing up for an even bigger celebration for Yom Yerushalayim– 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. Our aim is to bring thousands, including rabbinic and community leaders and delegates from hundreds of communities from across the global Jewish community, to learn, experience and celebrate together at this momentous time in Jewish history. We hope to take a large delegation from the UK community.

Mizrachi UK is also organising a delegation of teenagers to join the mission. Over the next few months, 50 lucky students will be the recipients of the Mizrachi Jerusalem Award to join with the hundreds of thousands in Jerusalem at this historic time.

Mizrachi UK is expanding and working with organisations to strengthen the community’s commitment to modern Orthodoxy and religious Zionism. We are working closely with schools, youth movements, and campuses to teach an ideology that encourages us to be engaged Jews, conducting our lives in the 21st century, to be educated and connected to the modern world yet imbuing our lives with the Torah’s eternal values and truths. Forget next year in Jerusalem – we say this year in Jerusalem! mizrachi.org/yy50

ENABLED Disability, not dependency.

Like any other young man Adam always wanted his own place but he couldn’t imagine it ever happening.

Thanks to Jewish Blind & Disabled he now enjoys living life as he chooses in his own apartment, with on-site support available round the clock if required.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW WE GIVE THE GIFT OF INDEPENDENCE OR TO MAKE A DONATION VISIT WWW.JBD.ORG OR CALL 020 8371 6611

Registered Charity No. 259480

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8 December 2016

Charity / Camp Simcha’s big designs

“Keep expanding on the vital work we do” Camp Simcha’s chairman Neville Goldschneider reviews the year with an eye on 2017

I

t has been a year of firsts for Camp Simcha as it explored new ways of fundraising and an expansion of its services.

This year saw the charity, which supports families coping with serious childhood illness, host its inaugural Ladies Lunch, launch its Young Camp Simcha arm – Illuminate – and run its most ambitious and first overseas challenge, Conquer the Canyon.

“In an increasingly uncertain economic environment, with Camp Simcha receiving no government funding, the charity has had to be creative in its approach to fundraising so we can support more families and keep expanding on the vital work we do,” says chief executive Neville Goldschneider.

“Our Ladies Lunch with guest speaker Fay

Ripley and our Illuminate dinner, aimed at the graduate to mid-30s audience, not only raised crucial funds, but also helped us reach different people to expand the community’s understanding of how Camp Simcha can help.

“Our Conquer the Canyon four-day 36-mile trek, descending 2,100 feet into the Grand Canyon, raised an incredible £100,000.”

On the services side, Camp Simcha enlisted the help of its furry friends with a new animal assisted therapy project; it is now supporting nearly 1,000 family members annually and has the largest number of volunteers to date.

The new therapeutic pet service, Paws for Fun, was launched in response to studies that show that interactions with animals increase endorphins promoting relaxation, pain relief, stress relief and joy.

Camp Simcha supporters during the charity’s Conquer the Canyon four-day trek

It has had a hugely positive impact on families who use the service. One Camp Simcha teenager, who has Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, has regular visits from brown retriever Benji and his owner.

His mother says: “My son is able to completely relax and be at ease when Benji is here, with time that he can enjoy that has nothing to do with his medical condition. It’s a real stress relief for the whole family and it has had such a massive impact on us.”

Camp Simcha now offers more than 24 services, ranging from the practical – such as benefits advice and hospital transports – to emotional support, such as family liaison officers, art, drama and music therapy to powerful positive experiences for the children.

For families, the highlight of every year is usually retreat, an opportunity for the seriously ill children Camp Simcha supports, along with siblings and parents, to spend three days in beautiful hotel surroundings

British Emunah:

CARING FOR ISRAEL’S AT RISK CHILDREN

Emunah is the largest provider of therapeutic residential care for children in Israel

We support families with parenting skills classes, counselling and day-care centres

with unforgettable experiences, and the rare opportunity for parents to recharge and share the support of others who understand what they are going through.

This year, more than 500 people came on one of the three family retreats Camp Simcha offers.

Looking forward to 2017, Camp Simcha is working with national agencies to develop and promote ways they support families who have children with diabetes and also severely premature babies.

The charity will also be building up to the biennial London dinner in March.

“We hold our dinners every two years rather than annually,” says Neville, “because we are mindful of the ask we are making.

“The money which the dinner brings in is core to funding the next two years of services, so I hope we can start 2017 in the best possible way to continue the life-changing work Camp Simcha does.”

We provide educational support for at risk children and those with special needs at our homes and high schools

Please support our vital work in Israel by donating at emunah.org.uk or calling 020 8203 6066. www.emunah.org.uk

Follow British Emunah

British Emunah Fund - Registered charity number 215398

Benji provides stress relief for families

Pet therapy helps many children

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jLiving celebrates / Charity

jLiving It Up Debra Barnes looks back at a year of celebrations at the housing association theme, reflecting their close ties with the local SOME HAD AFTERNOON TEA IN A community, while South Lodge in Streatham fancy hotel, others went to Southend for hosted a local theatre group for a bit of oldfish and chips and one group even took a fashioned comedy and music fun. boat trip down the Grand Union Canal. jLiving chief executive June Morton said: This year has been one of celebration for “It’s been a fantastic year and I am delighted jLiving, one of the largest housing associaour tenants have been able to celebrate our tions in the UK working primarily with the 50th anniversary. I’m grateful to our scheme Jewish community, as it commemorated managers who have helped organise and run all its 50th anniversary and tenants at each the events; they are our unsung heroes. of its 15 housing schemes were invited to “It was also nice to be able to celebrate choose how to mark the occasion. with some of our community partners, such as A few decided to celebrate at home. Gordon Jewish Care, Kisharon Court in Edgware, the and Jewish Women’s first property opened Aid, at an anniversary in 1966, chose to have cocktail reception held a party with family during the summer, and friends and the and I was delighted to Mayor of Harrow even welcome David Orr, popped in to help cut chief executive of the the cake.

National Housing The Martins Federation, as our guest in Wembley were speaker, who shared his delighted to give their thoughts with us on the event a Bollywood Harrow Mayor Rekha Shah at Gordon Court

GIFT

GIFT - making a difference

Registered charity no. 1153393

Through GIFT hundreds of young volunteers are being inspired to be GIVERS & to make a difference

GIFT is helping almost 2,000 people in need each week GIFT initiatives:

● Helping Hand ● Schools’ Projects ● GIFT It Forward ● Tutoring Club ● Food Packathons ● ‘Step Up’ Shoe Recycling ● B’nei Mitzvah Parties ● Food Collections & Deliveries

www.jgift.org

For more information call the GIFT office on (020) 8457 4429 or email: info@jgift.org GIFT’s twin objectives are to inspire and educate people to GIVE whilst simultaneously helping those in NEED GIFT is a member of the JFT family of organisations

challenges facing the housing sector.”

Among the other guests celebrating the charity’s achievements were the Mayors of Barnet, Haringey, Harrow, Lambeth and the deputy Mayor of Margate in Kent representing areas where jLiving provides sheltered housing and specialist accommodation for more than 500 people with a variety of support needs.

Next year is set to be just as exciting as jLiving is on course to complete the building of 10 flats at Wolfson Court in Golders Green.

Chairman Bradley Reback said: “Progress on the new homes is going well and we expect the tenants to be moved in by May 2017.

“Quality sheltered housing is in high demand and we will continue exploring new ways to serve the community.”

Above: The great and the good help celebrate jLiving’s milestones

Left: One event had a Bollywood theme to reflect close community ties

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8 December 2016

Charity / A year of giving

Building on the Past A charity that started as a small group of concerned parents in the 1970s is going strong in the 21st century YAD VOEZER has expanded in leaps and bounds in 2016 and wants everyone to know it. In addition to its two current registered residential homes and three supported housing projects, the charity is now planning to open a third supported housing scheme for women with learning disabilities or mental health problems.

With recent reports from the Care Quality Commission showing Yad Voezer (Helping Hand) has continued to raise standards in all its homes, the battle is now on to find more funding to bridge the gap left by a major reduction in government funding.

But this is not a charity that gives up when things get tough. The journey to this point was full of obstacles when a small group of parents in Hackney decided they wanted to give their learning disabled children a better quality of life than what was then available.

That was 1975 when standing up to be counted as an small independent charitable organisation was a bold move, but they opened a playgroup, which rapidly expanded

into a full evening and weekend programme.

Yad Voezer was on its way.

This year the Day Programme has been reorganised and now offers many new activities, including an educational programme, computers and a range of interesting activities for young men with a range of disabilities.

They are currently manufacturing bricks themselves and building an enormous menorah to light on Chanukah accompanied by music and doughnuts.

There are also major plans on the table in 2017 to redevelop the very large basement area in Yad Voezer Community and Day Centre and turn it into an exciting new education and leisure centre – the first of its kind in the Jewish community in north London.

Yad Voezer has always found support within the community, but those who are interested in finding out more about its work should visit yadvoezer.com or call 020 8809 4303.

Keep the Candles Burning by Volunteering this WintER If you have time to help this Winter, seasonal volunteering opportunities are now available at www.jvn.org.uk/seasonal Do something great today.

Become a volunteer!

020 8203 6427 info@jvn.org.uk JewishVolunteeringNetwork @JVN_org_uk JVNofficial Registered Charity Number 1130719

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

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First-class venue / Charity

The Place to be Seen As the scene for many big events in 2016, Mill Hill Synagogue is open for bookings in 2017 HOSTING A CHARITY EVENT is no small task. There are the endless planning meetings; the allocation of tasks, suitable speakers to find, caterers to appoint... need we go on.

The truth is that even if your event

requires a single podium, a microphone and a round of tea and biscuits, where you choose to hold it is the most important thing of all.

Hosting a lecture, annual dinner, panel discussion or cabaret night in the right room says volumes about your charity, which is

why the Ner Orre Community Centre at Mill Hill Synagogue is so popular. This year, the centre – which is the result of a £3.2 million renovation project – has been the first choice for many charities. Geographically convenient for almost everyone, this big, bright, airy place sets the perfect tone of grandeur without being intimidating.

The Annie and Samuel Levy Hall can accommodate up to 400 guests for a seated dinner, which happened for the Shabbat UK Friday Night Dinner, and 650 seated in a theatre style, as was the case for a Brexit debate with Michael Gove and Lord Falconer.

So much has taken place at Mill Hill Synagogue this year – to list all the events would be impossible but, to give you an idea, there was the Yom Hashoah ceremony, Yom Ha’atzmaut party, Purim Seudah and kids party, Shabbat UK challah bakes, hosting the Israeli Ambassador; United Synagogue rebbetzens conference, London Jewish Male Voice Choir; Camp Kimama (Israel Camp with UK Leaders); the JLGB conference and

numerous JNF and ZF events. Oh yes, and there was the Mill Hill Music Festival too, as the hall has a sound system to rival Wembley Stadium.

To book your charity event in 2017, call 020 8959 1137, or take a look at nerorre.co.uk

with us Sip your coffee or luxury hot chocolate at your leisure before ordering from our fresh, seasonal menu of fantastic food Shop from our ever-changing range of unique vintage and designer goods. You can drop off your unwanted donated items at the shop too Share your thoughts with friends through one of the learning sessions or with a member of Jami’s expert staff

One in four people will experience mental illness, yet it is rarely talked about openly. Jami is tackling this stigma in the Jewish community.

A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FROM

Give support • Get support • Get involved

Find us at: 89 Golders Green Road London NW11 8EN

jamiuk.org | 020 8458 2223 | Registered Charity 1003345. A Company Limited by Guarantee 2618170.

@JamiPeople |

JAMIMentalHealth

Registered Charity 1003345. A Company Limited by Guarantee 2618170.

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Jewish News 8 December 2016

Charity / Helping the youth

A word about the children British Emunah’s director, Deborah Nathan, looks back on a year of unforgettable moments

O

ur charity helps thousands of children in Israel on a daily basis through its network of residential homes, high schools, day care centres and therapy and counselling centres, so isolating a few memorable moments isn’t easy.

For Emunah, every day in every year is important, but there have been moments this year that resonate. For me, it is always the events where we connect directly with the children in our care in Israel that mean the most, whether it’s here in the UK, or visiting our 37 projects in Israel.

This year – for the first time – British Emunah brought two boys from the Sarah Herzog Children’s Centre in Afula to the UK to take part in the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run. Sharon Solomianik and Haim Nagosa,

both 17, ran alongside supporters from the UK and got the unique opportunity to participate in a challenging physical event, meet many members of the community and experience the trip of a lifetime.

The boys trained hard for the 10k and also took part in the 10k at the Jerusalem marathon in March in preparation for their England trip.

Sharon, who is originally from the Ukraine was placed ninth overall in the 10k race with a personal best of 46 minutes, while Haim, originally from Ethiopia, finished in just over an hour. What an achievement!

Both boys also got to enjoy a few days of sightseeing in London and were looked after by a wonderful host family in Edgware. I even got to introduce them and their counsellor Shira Cohen from the centre to the Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev. What a privilege. The boys’

CHANA IS HELPING MORE PEOPLE

Emunah runners Sharon Solomianik and Haim Nagosa, both 17, pictured with their counsellor Shira Cohen and Emunah committee members Sara Greenfield and Sharon Dewinter

trip to London was all made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor and the boys could not have been more appreciative.

They showed such resilience and dedication in their preparation for the race and we were proud to cheer them across the finish line.

I am so grateful to all those who joined ‘Team Emunah’ taking part and fundraising to support the 12,000 disadvantaged children in Emunah’s centres across Israel.

At Emunah’s gala dinner in September, a graduate from the same children’s home in Afula came and told the 350-strong audience how her life had been transformed because of the help she and her siblings received from the charity.

The girl, Sara Kulp is now 21, lives independently and does a responsible job as an emergency dispatcher for Magen David Adom. But at our dinner at London’s Guildhall, she bravely made an appeal in the presence of Home Security Amber Rudd, and held everyone’s attention with her heartfelt words. Sara told us what a difference Emunah had made to her life and that of her six siblings, who had been taken to the home after their mother became ill.

‘She couldn’t look after us,’ explained Sara, who was just 15 when her mother died and, as the eldest child, was left with the responsibility of looking after the younger children.

What seemed like an impossible burden changed when Emunah came to the childrens’ aid. Once in the centre, Sara’s youngest sister who couldn’t talk was helped by a speech therapist, while another brother learned how to express himself through therapy sessions

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www.chana.org.uk Ambassador Quarrey at Neve Landy

Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Sara Kulp

with animals at the home’s petting zoo.

Sara’s words summed it up for me: “Thank you for believing in Israel’s children; I am here today because Emunah believed in me.”

In October , we hosted a ‘Mini Mission’ in Israel and 60 participants visited Emunah centres up and down the country over two days. While there, we celebrated a very special barmitzvah – that of our specialist residential children’s village in Even Shmuel, southern Israel, which was established in 2003.

The 70 boys, aged between six and 18, who now live at Neve Landy Children’s Village, have the most severe psychological and emotional problems of all the children in our care. Together with those children and staff, we celebrated with the 10 boys who will turn 13 this year, as well as reflecting on the tremendous growth and success of the children’s village itself.

It was a truly joyful occasion when the British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey spoke to the boys about fulfilling their dreams.

The boys sang in a choir and performed as a drumming group and seeing for ourselves the way they looked and how they were developing was inspiring.

We end 2016 by bringing a group of 16 boys and girls from the Sarah Herzog Children’s Centre to the UK for a week’s holiday organised by a small group of volunteer women.

They arrived yesterday and will be sightseeing and staying with host families. It will be a special time for them and even more so for all of us. Here’s to many more in 2017.

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8 December 2016 Jewish News

Mazel tov on Mitzvah Day

CHARITIES: Aleh All Aboard Camp Simcha Camp Yeka Girls Chai Cancer Care Chana Chapter 1 Chicken Soup Shelter Clara Nehab House Doorstep Homeless Families Project Enfield Food Bank FareShare London Friendship Circle GIFT GIFT Manchester Goods for Good Global Haven House Children’s Hospice Jewish Blind & Disabled Jewish Care Jewish Women’s Aid Kisharon KitAid Langdon Leonard Cheshire Disability LJS Drop-in for Asylum Seeker Families Maccabi GB Magen David Adom UK Marie Curie Hampstead Meir Panim New Horizons Youth Centre Noah’s Ark Hospice Norwood One Child Ghana PJ Library Sadeh Farm Salusbury World Refugee Centre Save a Child’s Heart Separated Child Foundation Shofar Foundation International St Mungo’s St Mungo’s Birkenhead Street St Mungo’s Broadway St Mungo’s Portishead St Mungo’s Westminster St Philip’s Centre Step By Step Kids Sue Harris Trust Sufra NW London Sunridge Court The Big Lunch The Bike Project The Joely Bear Appeal The Together Plan The Trussell Trust Thornton Lodge Care Home Tikun Woodland Trust World Jewish Relief #Spit4Mum & Save A Life Additionally, the many more recipient charities supported by our partners CHEDARIM: Belsize Square Beth Shalom Reform Birmingham Hebrew Congregation Birmingham Progressive Brighton and Hove Reform Bromley Reform Brondesbury Park Bushey United Ealing Liberal Edgware United Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation Finchley Progressive HaMakom Hampstead Garden Suburb Lauderdale Road Liverpool Etz Chaim MATT Maidenhead Menorah Mill Hill Muswell Hill New North London Newcastle Reform North West Surrey Nottingham Liberal Or Torah Chadash Orot Radlett Reform Radlett United Sha’arei Tsedek Solihull South Hampstead South Hampstead Youth Southgate Progressive St. Albans Masorti St. John’s Wood The Liberal Jewish Synagogue The Village Shul Hampstead Watford and District Westminster Woodford Liberal Woodside Park INTERFAITH PARTNERS: Al Khoei Foundation Al Mizan All Saints Friern Barnet Ashford Place, Brent Baitul Futuh Mosque Bhaktivedantor Manor Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church Camden Faith Leaders Forum Central Methodist Church, St Saviourgate Collaboration House Council of Christians and Jews Durham Christian Partnership Emmanuel Edgware Church Golders Green Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hampstead Unitarian Church Heath Street Baptist Church Hendon Mosque Holy Trinity Church, Swiss Cottage Husaini Islamic Centre Interfaith Network Islamic Diversity Centre Ismaili Centre, North London King’s Cross Methodist Church Kurdish Community North East Leeds Interfaith Forum Leeds Makkah Mosque London Interfaith Centre London Ismaili Community LSE Faith Centre Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre Muslim Teachers’ Association Muswell Hill Baptist Church Neasden Temple Nisa Nashim Nisa Nashim Harrow Nisa Nashim Leeds Nisa Nashim West Midlands Nisa Nashim South Manchester Oxford Council of Faiths Parish of St. Paul, North Marylebone Pond Square Chapel, Highgate Punjabi Women’s Association Remark UK Royal Free Hospital Chaplaincy Salaam Shalom Soup Kitchen Salaam Shalom St. Albans Shia Ithna’ashari Community of Middlesex Sikhs for Labour Sisters of Faith and Peace Somali Bravanese Welfare Association SSO (Sikh Sewa Organisation – Manchester UK) Stanmore Baptist Church St. Barnabas’ Church, Leeds St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church St. Gabriel’s Ethiopian Orthodox Church St. James’s Church, Muswell Hill St Laurence’s Larder St. Mary’s Church, Watford St. Mary’s, Primrose Hill St. Philip’s Centre, Leicester St. Theresa Parish in Elstree UK Baha’i Office of Public Affairs Unity – Faith, Hope and Community Waddington Street United Reformed Church Watford Interfaith Association Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership Welwyn Hatfield Interfaith Group Wightman Road Mosque York Baha’i Faith Community York Diocese INTERNATIONAL: Adath Shalom Africa Tikkun Alef Atid Bet David Synagogue Bet Shalom Barcelona Beth Hillel B’nai B’rith - Lodge “Filon” Athens Greece Bobruisk Jewish Community Brest Jewish Community Bulawayo Jewish Community Caddebostan Synagogue CEJI-A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe Chai FM Chabad of Tribeca/My Little School Comunidad Masorti Bet-El Cukunft Jewish Association Dor Vador Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation Escola Beit Yaacov Evelyn Peters Jewish Community Centre Jewish Liberal Union in the Czech Republic Fundacja Emuna Golden Age Goztepe Kultur Dernegi Green Valley/Sahuarita Mitzvah Day Javurá Reformista de Madrid JDC India Jewish Community of Brno Jewish Community Lodz Jewish Community of Thessaloniki Jewish Community of Wroclaw JCC Krakow JCC Warszawa Jewish Council of North Central Florida Jewish Relief Agency Jewish Youth of Thessaloniki Jüdische Liberale Gemiende Or Chadasch Kadikoy Synagogue Keren Or Synagogue libérale de Lyon Khulisa Global Social Solutions NPO Kiev Masorti Community Kiev Community of Traditional Judaism “MASORET” Kuzguncuk Synagogue La Journée de la Mitzvah à Aix- Or Chalom Lauder Athens Jewish Community School Liga-Izmir Liberal Union of Czech Republic Marom Paris Mesusa Minsk Jewish Community Mouvement Juif Liberal de France Nairobi Hebrew Congregation Neder Neve Salom Synagogue Noam Maayane Or North Shore Teen Initiative One Child Ghana Or-Ahayim Jewish Hospital Ortakoy Synagogue Polotsk Jewish Community Shirat Ha Yam Slutsk Jewish Community SOSA Talmud Tora Talmud Torah Temple Israel Cape Town Temple Sholom of Ontario The Harare Jewish Community The Jewish Youth of Athens Tzedek In Ghana ULUS Jewish Schools Union of Jewish Women, Pretoria Union of Jewish Women, Cape Town Union of Jewish Women, Durban Union of Jewish Women, East London Union of Jewish Women, Johannesburg Union of Jewish Women, Port Elizabeth Zwi Perez Chajes Schule MITZVAH DAY AUSTRALIA (70 partners) MITZVAH DAY DEUTSCHLAND (110 Partners) UNIVERSITY JEWISH SOCIETIES: Alpha Epsilon Pi - Leeds Alpha Epsilon Pi - Manchester Brighton & Sussex Cambridge University City, University of London and Cass Business School Durham Edinburgh Lancaster Leeds LSE Faith Centre Nottingham Oxford Queen Mary’s Southampton Bristol Warwick Jewish Israeli Society Westminster MITZVAH DAY ‘ACTIVE’ INDEPENDENT GROUPS: Alex’s Group Anne Flavian Aviva and Bex and Friends Ben and Friends Bloody Good Period Cameron Sorsky Charlotte Faye and Jessica Colins Kings and Queens Daniel Bratt & Friends Dental Wellness Trust Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Young Adults Edwards Entwine Alum Eva Gonzalez Filipino Bayanihan Gabrielle and Friends Geololz GiveYoung, Jerusalem Guy and Friends Hadassa’s MD Active Hakarot Hannah Manson HGSS I See U - Helping Hospital Kids to be Happier Kids Jodie’s Spit Kit Crew Jonny’s Friends Louis and Pals Maria and Igor MDA Blood Drive Mill Hill East Jewish Community Mitzvah Day Team Moishe House Moishe House Paris Moo Crew Northerners in London Renee Sofer Ruth Ashleigh Simon’s Holocaust Survivor Tea Singapore Sling Six Sundays @ Jewish Care Stuart and Adrian Sue Shefras The Eagles Unity Winchester Jews Women’s Learning Group Worcestershire Inter-Faith Forum Young Families Visit Clore Manor Zoe & Tali MITZVAH MUMMIES: Ady’s Babies Music Group Bbz with Babes Betty’s Bubbelahs & Boobas Chabad Buckhurst Hill Chabad Elstree and Borehamwood Liverpool Jewish Community Manchester Reform Ned’s Mitzvah Day Mummies (& Daddies) New North London Newcastle Reform Rosie’s Little Bubalas SAMS Ktanim Stanmore and Canons Park Zoe Jankel NURSERIES: Active Learning JW3 Alonim Kindergarten Alyth Kindergaten Apples and Honey Nursery Beit Shvidler Nursery Brondesbury Park Synagogue Nursery Bushey Gan Calderwood Lodge Nursery Central Synagogue Playgroup Danescroft Nursery FRS Kindergarten Gan Alon Nursery Gan Yachad Gilah Nursery Kerem School Early Years Unit Kindergarten in the Wood Little Bicks Gan Orre Little Bicks Gan Shani Little Bicks Gan Yisrael Nagila Nursery Stars Nursery Tracy Lewis Childcare Yavneh Nursery OFFICE AND COMMUNITY TEAMS: AAK Ltd Accenture Angst Productions Ltd Arram Berlyn Gardner Arrow Films Berwin Leighton Paisner Board of Deputies Bury & Whitefield League of Jewish Women Claire Randall Consulting Ltd Community Security Trust Conservative Friends of Israel Council of Christians and Jews Crepes on the Corner Cyber-Duck Ltd Dropbox EY FMCB Fold7 GLA Conservatives Hamilton Leigh Ltd Helping Hands Holocaust Educational Trust Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Investec Bank plc Jewish Leadership Council Jewish Teachers’ Association Jewish Vegetarian Society JW3 Kuit Steinart Levy LLP Labour Friends of Israel Langdon Lansdowne Partners Leeds Jewish Representative Council Leicester League of Jewish Women Liberal Judaism Michael Sobell Jewish Community Center Migrant Voice Northwood League of Jewish Women OGR Stock Denton LLP Programme Education Services Team at Ernst Young QS Quacquarelli Symonds Recorder Group Seddons Stanmore and Edgware League of Jewish Women Telereal Trillium Tzedek UJIA Union of Jewish Students United Synagogue Head Office Uptown Events Westbury SCHOOLS: Akiva Primary Bankside Community Beit Shvidler Primary Calderwood Lodge Primary Clore Shalom Clore Tikva Eden Primary Enfield County Etz Chaim Jewish Primary Gatton Primary Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls Hasmonean High Hutchesons’ Grammar Primary Hutchesons’ Grammar Secondary Immanuel College Immanuel College Preparatory Independent Jewish Day School JCoSS JFS Kerem King David High King David Primary, Liverpool King David Primary, Manchester King Solomon High King’s College Junior School King’s College Senior School Kingsbury High Lady Nafisa Secondary School for Girls Naima Jewish Preparatory Nancy Reuben Primary North Cheshire Jewish Primary North West London Jewish Day School Rimon Jewish Primary Rosh Pinah Primary Saint Mary’s and St. John’s C.E. Primary Sinai Jewish Primary South Hampstead High St Thomas Moore Catholic Primary University College School Watford Grammar School for Girls Withington Girls’ Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary Wolfson Hillel Primary SCOUTS AND GUIDES: 11th North Watford Cubs 17th Bushey Brownies 20th Finchley Scouts 3rd Edgware Cubs 4th Borehamwood Guides and Senior Section 4th Hendon Brownies 5th Gatley Brownies 6th Edgware Brownies 7th Edmonton Guides Girlguiding Elstree and Borehamwood District Hampstead Garden Suburb Brownies The Warriors Trefoil Guild SYNAGOGUES: Adat Yeshua Messianic Ahavas Yisrael Alei Tzion Alyth Barnet United Belmont United Belsize Square Bet Tikvah Birmingham Central Birmingham Progressive Borehamwood and Elstree Bournemouth Bradford Reform Brighton and Hove Reform Bromley Reform Brondesbury Park Bushey United Cardiff Reform Cardiff United Catford and Bromley United Central Chabad Elstree and Borehamwood Chatham Memorial Chigwell and Hainault Cockfosters and North Southgate Durham and North East Liberal Ealing Liberal Ealing United Edgware and District Reform Edgware Masorti Edgware United Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation Finchley Progressive Finchley Reform Giffnock Golders Green Hampstead Hampstead Garden Suburb Hatch End Masorti Heaton Park Hendon Reform Highgate Holland Park Ilford Federation Ilford United Jersey Jewish Congregation Kingston Liberal Kinloss Kol Chai Hatch End Jewish Community Kol Nefesh Masorti Lauderdale Road Leicester Hebrew Congregation Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation Magen Avot Maidenhead Manchester Reform Menorah Merseyside Jewish Representative Council Mill Hill Mishkan Mosaic Liberal Mosaic Reform Muswell Hill Ner Yisrael New Essex Masorti New North London New West End Newcastle Reform Newcastle United North West Surrey Northwood and Pinner Liberal Northwood United Nottingham Liberal Oxford Jewish Congregation Radlett Reform Radlett United Redbridge United Sha’arei Tsedek Sheffield Jewish Congregation Shenley United Shir Hayim Singers Hill Solihull and District South Hampstead South London Liberal Southgate Progressive St. Albans Masorti St. Albans United St. John’s Wood Stanmore and Canons Park Stevenage Liberal Sukkat Shalom The Liberal Jewish Synagogue The Liberal Synagogue Elstree The Village Shul Hampstead Watford and District Welwyn Garden City Wembley United West London Synagogue of British Jews Western Marble Arch Westminster Woodford Forest United Woodford Liberal Woodside Park Yeshurun Federation Yeshurun Hebrew Congregation York Liberal YOUTH MOVEMENTS: BBYO BBYO Mercaz chapter Bnei Akiva Ezra Boys Ezra Girls FZY FZY North Habonim Dror Habonim Dror North JLGB LJY-Netzer Noam Masorti Youth RSY-Netzer Sinai Youth

Thank you to the 40,000 people on 27th November 2016 who volunteered for the community around us

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Jewish News 8 December 2016

Charity / Children of Israel

Love, Attention, Security & Home What Youth Aliyah gives to the children AT A DINNER THAT RAISED MORE THAN £400,000 FOR YOUTH ALIYAH, the true value of the donations was illustrated by the appearance of Solomon Lawee. Solomon spent the first nine years of his life in Ethiopia, but now as a graduate of the Mechina Youth Aliyah Village, he is a high ranking officer in the IDF in charge of 120 soldiers. He is also completing his internship as a prosecutor in Tel Aviv, proving that Youth Aliyah graduates go beyond just ‘survival’ to positions of ‘leadership’.

Money raised at the dinner will help the thousands of children in Israel who are unable to be cared for by their family find love, attention, security and a home at one of the charity’s five villages and two programmes.

The Village Way is an award-winning educational programme that has been developed from years of teaching and pastoral success at Yemin Orde Youth Village. It is a

globally recognised educational approach, which Youth Aliyah is helping to bring to schools and youth villages in Israel and around the world by providing an intensive three year hand-holding project that supports everyone from the headteachers to kitchen staff and from parents to children.

In June, Youth Aliyah’s young committee held an outdoor ‘pop up’ film event, which enabled Aloney Yitzhak to purchase a new pottery kiln. Many children at the villages arrive severely troubled and find solace, selfexpression and healing through art – particularly clay. In July, they welcomed their second cohort of boys from TOM Youth Village to London as part of a joint initiative with JLGB and the International Youth Awards. The group of eight boys from challenged backgrounds took part in the Duke of Edinburgh expedition with students from Hasmonean Boys’ School.

This year also saw the opening of a new therapy centre at Talpiot’s Children’s Village –

paid for by funds raised at the 2014 gala dinner.

Sport plays an important role in supporting the physical and emotional well-being of the children, and Aloney Yitzhak welcomed the arrival of a new outdoor sports corner supported by one donor. To date, the charity’s Mechina programmes have seen 11 recipients of this award over the past five years, which is more than any other Mechina programme.

It was at the gala dinner this year that an official handover of the executive director’s position was announced and the charity is now led by Daliah Mehdi – whose father Sion Mehdi is a former executive director – and she joins with a lot of vision and creative ideas to take the charity to the next step.

In 2017, the charity will be deepening its commitment to the Village Way programme and, in May, it will offer the chance for supporters to visit its villages and raise essen-

tial funds with its first bike and parallel hike challenge. Participants will have the opportunity to stay a night in one of the villages, spend time with the children and hear their stories while discovering the beautiful terrain of northern Israel. To register, visit youthaliyah. org.uk/events Youth Aliyah has also introduced a project for people on holiday in Israel who would like to volunteer for half a day helping children with their English, reading or playing football. Visit youthaliyah.org.uk

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Meaningful gifts/ Charity

Myisrael’s My ChanukahGift Consider buying a Chanukah gift for someone you’ve never met, says Alex Galbinski, after hearing the work of one remarkable charity Imagine an opportunity to make your Chanukah even more meaningful. Alongside the candles, dreidels and wrapped presents, you could also give a life-changing gift; such as helping eight-year-old Ezra, who was born with a skin condition covering his face and body.

Ezra has been bullied and struggles with physical challenges, but he is so happy and enthusiastic when he sees the horse during his riding therapy sessions, which have improved his confidence, posture and strength.

“At Chanukah, we can often buy our children too many presents. They don’t necessarily appreciate the value of them, and we can spend a fortune,” says Danni Franks, the founder of Myisrael, a charity that allows people in the UK to support small but life-changing charities in Israel in a “simple, direct and meaningful way”.

For the third year, Myisrael has put together MyChanukahGift, a selection of 16 ‘gifts’ that people can donate in honour of their loved ones.

Other items range from music lessons for gifted children from poor families, crayons for a child who has problems communicating through words and a Shabbat meal for a family.

Former JFS pupil Danni, 43, set up the charity in 2008, three years after making aliyah.

She says: “This is a way of getting across a message we all want to share with our children.

“It’s not that easy to have a conversation about poverty or disability if it’s not in your immediate world, so this is a chance to have a conversation in a very positive way about what is happening in the world and how children can make a difference.”

Donors can specify who they want to receive a chocolate coin and handwritten card explaining the gift beneficiaries, so even young children will understand they have helped someone in need.

To date, Myisrael has raised £3.2 million and supported more than 50 grassroots charities that go through a careful vetting process.

“I have always been passionate about Israel, passionate about charity, and the importance of giving, and I felt there was a gap whereby the Jewish community didn’t feel that it necessarily made a difference to a real person,” explains Danni, who is now based in Tel Aviv.

One hundred percent of charitable donations to Myisrael goes to its projects – running costs are supported separately – and Danni says it is engaging with many people who don’t necessarily want to give to Israel but do want to donate where they feel they’ll make a difference.

“We want you to choose where your money goes, and we want to feed back how your money made an impact on someone else,” she says.

“We exist to help the under-the-radar charities in Israel that people haven’t had the chance to support before. We understand where they’re weak and we help them to be more efficient,

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‫בס”ד‬

Above: Ezra with his horse, Baron.

Right: Danni Franks, founder of Myisrael

for example one charity head was making calculations with a calculator rather than Excel,” she exclaims. “We mentor them and really see the difference our time makes.”

The charity also organises tailor-made barmitzvah and batmitzvah projects. “We spend time understanding what your child likes to do and find a project that has relevance to them,” says Danni.

“As you approach bar and batmitzvah, you can absolutely take something on and make a difference and do a fundraising project with your friends. It’s about being engaged, involved and taking responsibility for being charitable.”

Last year, 162 people bought 360 individual gifts; therefore 360 handwritten cards were posted around the world, and this year the gift list looks set to have an even bigger impact.

“You can always give more, but you’ll only do that if someone gives you a reason to do it,” Danni acknowledges. “So one of our key principles is to make sure we inspire people to give as much as they can, because when you know you’ve impacted someone’s life, you want to do it more and more because it feels really good.”  To buy a gift before the deadline of 20 December, see mychanukahgift. myshopify.com or visit the charity’s website, myisraelcharity.org

You never know who has a crisis going on behind their front door.

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Family Support Services at the London Jewish Family Centre 113b Golders Green Road, London, NW11 8HR tel 0208 209 1117 | familysupport@ljfc.com | www.ljfc.com registered charity number 1162132

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Family Support Services is a division of the London Jewish Family Centre.

� The Centre at the Heart of the Community �

For our other programmes and activities visit our website or call the Centre to request a programme.

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8 December 2016

Charity / Living with dignity

Constantly moving forward Progress has been the key to success for Jewish Blind and Disabled in 2016 FOUNDED 47 YEARS AGO, Jewish Blind & Disabled has never wavered from its dedication to enabling people with physical disabilities or impaired vision to live independently with the dignity and freedom of choice that are so easy for others to take for granted.

However, while the charity’s mission has never changed, the ways in which it is able to deliver this constantly improve every year, as it learns from previous experience and marries this learning with the latest developments in technology and design.

It still enables people to live behind the front door of their own mobility apartment, but now technological advances mean the charity is more able to help them manage essential everyday tasks for themselves.

For example, state-of-the-art wet floor shower rooms enable tenants to shower with the dignity of privacy and it is now also able to supply special ‘self-cleaning’ hygienic toilets for people whose dexterity is impaired so that they no longer need to ask for help with this most intimate of activities.

Automatic front doors mean people using a wheelchair can get in and out of their apartments at the touch of a button, instead of having to struggle with pushing and holding the door open, a task that can be so difficult people become prisoners in their own home. And, in the kitchen, the charity makes life easier with ovens with ‘disappearing doors’ as well as lowered work surfaces and easy to reach cupboards.

Most important of all is its intercom system with call cords in every room and an intercom that can be accessed from any room in the flat, allowing a tenant to call one of their resident house managers

Cecil Rosen Court

any time of the day or night – giving total peace of mind not only to the tenant, but to their friends and family, too.

Although technological design has made a world of difference, aesthetic design is also vital in enabling people to live with dignity. While Jewish Blind & Disabled does not run ‘homes’, its buildings are home to many different individuals, each of whom decorate their flats to reflect particular tastes and lifestyle. The common areas, on the other hand, are decorated by the charity and, in its latest building, Cecil Rosen Court, interior designers were used for the first time, resulting in a communal lounge and entrance that have been described as ‘just like a five-star hotel’.

In 2016, it was able to use this learning to refurbish two of its existing buildings, Milne Court and Aztec House. In 2017, the charity will be breaking ground on its next building, a development of 19 mobility apartments adjacent in Bushey Heath. It looks forward to being able to combine its learning over the past 47 years with the latest technological developments to transform the lives of even more people.

The lounge in Milne Court, decorated by the charity

Denise with disappearing oven door

Allan with automatic door

It’s not all smiles you know, but at Yad Voezer we do our very best to give people lots of reasons to smile.

Whatever the disability, whatever the capability, whatever the situation, Yad Voezer is there to help you out.

Yad Voezer provide care and support for children and adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues. Services include residential and respite care, supported housing schemes, soap workshop, Sunday & holiday clubs, day care employment schemes, advice, counselling and family support.

Yad Voezer, 9 Amhurst Park, London N16 5DH Tel: 0208 809 4303 - Fax: 0208 809 9061 - enquiries@yadvoezer.com - www.yadvoezer.com

8 December 2016 Jewish News

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Giving through buying / Charity

A good reason to shop In a year that has seen retail struggle, All Aboard stores have held their own Kings Cross pop-up event

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ig birthdays marked a really exciting and productive year for All Aboard which, like all shops, also had to cope with increased rents and dropping sales. It was the charity’s 29th birthday but, more importantly, founder Stella Lucas celebrated her centenary halfway through the year.

It was Stella who defiantly faced the challenges of setting up the charity in 1991, telling her detractors that: “If Oxfam do it for nonJewish charities, why can’t we do it for Jewish ones?”

A lunch was held in her honour, to which long-serving volunteers were invited and Stella was presented with a newspaper from the day she was born and a photobook of the many highlights of the 29 years at All Aboard.

Just as Stella shows no sign of slowing down, neither does the charity that moved its

Stella Lucas’ 100th birthday

Edgware head office to new premises in north Watford in March to facilitate a change to the business model and effect substantial cost savings. By moving to this new business model, the 60 plus charities it supports will benefit and bring greater rewards to them going forward.

A growth in the use of Gift Aid has helped All Aboard increase the value of a shopper’s donation at no cost to them. By registering with All Aboard as a Gift Aided donor, it allows the charity to claim 25p back in every £1 of the value of a donation. It’s paid directly from HMRC and only takes a minute to set up.

The quality of donations All Aboard has received over the past year has been exceptional, allowing the charity to supply its shops with many wonderful quality items to sell at a fair price to its many charity shop customers.

However, it is always in need of more good quality clothing and bric-a-brac and, to ensure it maximises the value of every donation, it now has an eBay site where it can ensure the higher value items make the best possible income for the charity.

The Charity Retail Association hosted the Style Me in Seconds event at Old Street Station, which gave All Aboard a great platform to promote itself and showcase its wonderful stock as well as increasing its profile on social media.

Marks and Spencer also helped this year through its ‘Spark Something Good’ corporate social responsibility campaign at All Aboard’s Paddington branch, which was treated to a mini makeover. Other major high-

lights of 2016 have been the two pop up shops it ran at the Southbank Centre and at the Kings Cross Vintage Fair and participation in the Maccabi Community Fun Run in June, where CEO Alan Haynes raised more than £2,000 in sponsorship for the charity by running 10km.

The year itself has seen difficult trading conditions for mass retail in general, along with the sad demise of BHS, and the charity sector has proved no different. Increased competition, ever increasing rents and living wage rises have seen a squeeze on the charity’s income and a rise in costs.

It desperately need more volunteers to help in the shops and warehouse, and has just started on a bold volunteer recruitment, training and development programme.

Inspired by its founder, staff in All Aboard charity shops remain excited about their future. The building blocks they have now put in place will mean they can continue to support many Jewish and non-Jewish

All Aboard, Paddington

charities in 2017 to ensure they have the funds to continue doing very important work that is vital to the community.

For more information about All Aboard, visit allaboardshops.com, or call 020 8381 1717

independently Matthew struggled to live independently before he moved into a jliving property.

Over the last 50 years, jliving have become one of the largest housing associations in the UK working primarily with the Jewish community.

To find out more please call us on 020 8381 4901

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Jewish News 8 December 2016

Charity / Health in mind

Now the mind matters New interest in mental health pushed Jami to the fore in 2016

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his year, mental health has definitely received increased attention in the national press. From mental health in young people to the impact of mental illness in the workplace and celebrities speaking about their own well-being, hardly a day has gone by without some sort of coverage or report being issued. Even the Royal Family have got involved, with Kate and William becoming the figureheads of a campaign to raise awareness of mental health.

All of this, of course, has an impact on our own community. Referrals this year have continued to increase in all areas of Jami’s work by more than 140 percent since the launch of its Think Ahead awareness campaign in 2015.

It’s not just those experiencing mental ill health themselves that Jami supports. Carers

play a huge role in supporting those affected by mental illness. However, without support in their own right, carers are prone to becoming unwell, either with physical or emotional health problems, as the burden of caring becomes overwhelming.

Jami was originally established by carers, so it has always had a service that supports and informs carers, both individually and in groups. Its carer support worker has received upwards of 150 referrals this year and is currently helping by providing one-to-one support, running carers groups and telephone support across all four of our centres.

“This is the first time in 10 years I have ever received support for myself as my daughter’s carer.”

Enhancing Vocational Opportunities

Jami believes that engaging in vocational

activities, whether this is a return to educa-

WHO CAN SHOW ME WHAT I NEED TO DO NEXT? HOW tion, voluntary or paid employment, increases WILL I MANAGE FINANCIALLY? HOW CAN I AFFORD confidence and self-worth, reduces social isolaHOW HOW WILL I COPE? HOW DO I FILL OUT THIS tion and increases community engagement, all FORM? WHO WILL WILL I ACCESS WHAT I AM ENTITLED of which have a significant impact on recovery. clients who have returned to paid work TO? WHAT ABOUT THOSE BILLS? WHAT DO HOW WILL I For this year, this leads to an improved financial AVOID FALLING IN TO DEBT? WHAT IF THERE’S NO-ONE outcome and generates corresponding savings ELSE TO ASK? WILL I BE OK ON MY OWN? HOW CAN for the statutory benefits system as a whole.

I GET MY FINANCES IN ORDER? WHO WILL ORGANISE At the end of the first five year period THINGS FOR ME PAPERWORK? DOES ANYONE EVEN of its existing employment service, the CARE? WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR MY NEEDS? WHO outcomes exceeded projections, including people with mental health problems CAN GIVE ME ADVICE? WHO CAN ITURN TO? IS THERE 256 finding voluntary or paid employment. With ANYONE THERE FOR ME? WHAT IF I HAVE NO FAMILY? the programme at capacity, significantly WHERE DO I START? WHAT IF I CAN’T FACE ANY OF IT? enhancing and extending the scope of our WHAT ABOUT MY BENEFITS? WHO CAN DIRECT ME? employment project

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Because life is for living

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over the next five years is key.

At the end of October, Jami launched the Head Room café on Golders Green Road.

After months of planning and building work behind the hoardings of the old Jami shop, Head Room is now a fuelling stop for the body and mind.

The ethos behind the café is to Sip, Shop and Share.

Food is by Or Golan, former head chef at Ottolenghi and the menu items include a range of comforting breakfast options, a selection of salads and sandwiches (changing daily) and indulgent hot chocolates and ice cream sandwiches. The café is Kosher Federation Dairy.

At the back of the café is a shop section – a regularly changing boutique retail space, offering specific ranges of designer, vintage and quirky items. The stock is supplied from Jami’s warehouse, which is a social enterprise in Borehamwood. Items are sourced and sorted by Jami service users and volunteers who are also staffing the shop.

During key hours of operation, a member of Jami’s team is available and identifiable in the charity’s Heads Up T-shirt. They can offer an initial signposting discussion to explore what services and support are available both from Jami and the wider community.

Jami couldn’t exist without the team of more than 130 dedicated volunteers, who give up their time to help Jami run.

From befrienders to fundraisers, trustees to warehouse volunteers, the time they give to Jami is crucial and help Jami to offer the range of services available.

Jami’s volunteers were recognised at this year’s Jewish Volunteering Network Awards. The hospital visiting team won Team of the Year for their work visiting people on mental health wards. So far this year, they have made 548 visits to individuals.

Jami’s co-founder and trustee, Alan Lazarus, also won the Lifetime Achievement Award and he, along with everyone at the charity, hopes mental health will continue to be top of the agenda in 2017.

8 December 2016 Jewish News

www.jewishnews.co.uk

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THE NER ORRE COMMUNITY CENTRE Opened in 2013, the Ner Orre Community Centre at Mill Hill Synagogue is suitable for all kinds of events. The hall can host 550 guests seated theatre style or for a standing reception, 400 for a seated dinner and 270 guests seated, with a dance floor.

The Centre has a fully equipped state-of-the-art KLBD kitchen and a complete range of sound and video options.

We offer special discounts for charity events. Full day packages are available at up to a 50% discount. Hall hire starts at ÂŁ100 per hour.

For more information to make an enquiry, contact Gerry on t. 020 8959 1137 e. info@nerorre.co.uk

Photography Credits Top: Lara Minsky Photography Middle Left: Jamie Nessim Photography Middle Right: Lara Minsky Photography Bottom: Mill Hill Shabbat UK Dinner

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www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jewish News 8 December 2016

FOR OVER 80 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ENDING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND ABUSE FOR THOUSANDS OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN ISRAEL, USING OUR PROVEN METHOD OF TEACHING AND CARE CALLED THE VILLAGE WAY.

W

e are now sharing our Village Way expertise with the wider educational community, providing intensive training to teachers and staff in Israel and around the world, working with different faiths and backgrounds.

Since 2006 we have already impacted 26 communities, 9,650 children and 1,320 educators.

Our goal is to reach 30 more communities by 2020. Your support will help us to transform the lives of thousands more children – creating the leaders of tomorrow.

TODAY

26

COMMUNITIES

9,650

CHILDREN

BY 2020

1,320

EDUCATORS

30 MORE

COMMUNITIES

TO DONATE PLEASE VISIT WWW.YOUTHALIYAH.ORG/DONATE OR CALL US ON 020 8371 1580 TO FIND OUT MORE. charity number 1077913