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20 OCTOBER 2022 Grandparents join Camp Simcha fun

Taking part in National Grandparents Day at Camp SImcha

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Grandparents of children Camp Simcha supports were treated to a fun day to mark National Grandparents Day this month.

Attendees were given a chance to experience activities their grandchildren enjoy at events.

Magician Sacha Johnstone performed for guests, who took part in build-a-bear and pottery painting activities, with final creations going to grandchildren.

Camp Simcha chief executive Neville Goldschneider said: “This event brought two different benefits to the grandparents of the children we support because they suffer twice, seeing their grandchild but also their child having to cope with it all. We wanted to give them that access to other grandparents in the same position.” He added: “They also got to experience some of the fun of Camp Simcha with activities their children and grandchildren might do at our parties and retreats.”

Anna Churnin, whose family have been supported by Camp Simcha since her granddaughter Chloe underwent lifesaving surgery at just eight days old in December 2020, said the event was “absolutely delightful”.

She observed: “It was a joy and a privilege to attend and hear about the wider scope of Camp Simcha and to have acknowledged the impact that a child’s illness had on the grandparents as we see our children hurt and in need.”

Anna said it was a good opportunity to meet other grandparents, adding. “Although all our stories are different we share a bond and as they say ‘it’s good to talk’.”

Jewish Care Chief Executive No.2 in the Social Care Top 10 Leaders in UK

Jewish Care’s Chief Executive, Daniel Carmel-Brown has won the No.2 spot by public vote in the prestigious Social Care Top 30 awards with Care Talk magazine, recognising the very best of national leadership in social care.

CEO Daniel Carmel-Brown, says, “I’m very humbled to have won a place in this list and want to sincerely thank everyone who voted. I work with inspiring colleagues at Jewish Care, who are dedicated to maintaining older people’s dignity; providing care, company and meaningful experiences each day. Jewish Care feels like one big family; from our professional and caring staff to our residents, tenants, members and volunteers, it’s a privilege to be a part of this amazing organisation.”

Angela Beerman, Jewish Care’s Director of HR, says, “We are so proud that Daniel’s inspiring leadership is being celebrated and recognised as one of the top leaders in social care making a difference through his vision and decision-making at Jewish Care and in the sector. Thank you so much to everyone who voted and thank you Daniel for your authentic and caring leadership and we wish you a hearty Mazeltov!” In the Top 10 of influential leaders in social care, the winner was Jane Townson from the National Homecare Association and CEOs at National Care Group, Community Integrated Care, Hallmark Jewish Care CEO Daniel Carmel-Brown Care Homes, Housing 21, Home Instead UK, Anchor and Barchester.

Wohl Ilford celebrates Succot

Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary School pupils having fun in the Succah

There was a wonderful buzz at Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary School during Succot.

Every year group learned about a different aspect of the festival and every class had a Jewish Studies lesson in the succah.

Families came together after school for nosh in the Succah and they welcomed local rabbonim who came to shake the lulav and etrog with children.

Year six pupils had fun at ‘Supper in the Succah’ where they enjoyed a hot dog supper and games.

Kisharon supported Day Opportunities and Supported Living for Simchat Torah.

They conducted a price comparison to buy stock before packing pekelech to be used in shuls. Daniel said: “I really enjoyed the project. I learnt how to package the food”.

Aviva Braunold who led the project said: “It was great to see the men learning new skills and subsequently doing the task independently.”

Students from Kisharon also embraced Succot last week.

Pupils from Kisharon Noé School visited Munks Beis Hamedrash to see preparations for Succot and to help prepare for the festival. They collected items to decorate the school succah.

At Kisharon Tuffkid Nursery pupils learnt about the esrog, lulav and succah. Children enjoyed making a succah by turning a table over and placing schach on top. They talked about seeing the stars at night.

Kisharon Tuffkid Nursery pupil embraces Succot

B&Q support Norwood

Norwood B&Q garden volunteering

B&Q’s Chingford store helped to transform the garden of one of Norwood’s homes for adults with learning disabilities and autism. Lee, Idris and Paul offered their time and skills to create a sensory patio for people they support, using £1,000 of items, tools and equipment generously donated from their store.

The volunteering day formed a part of B&Q’s community garden project.

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GIFT volunteers spreading Succot joy

GIFT volunteers spread the joy of Succot to community care homes and families throughout London and Manchester.

GIFT London partnered with Ezra Youth to help disadvantaged families in northwest London.

GIFT Manchester, in conjunction with King David and Me’Or High School students, created decorations. Me’Or high school girls took items to Heathlands Care Home. Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox Primary School pupils created decorations brought to Beenstock Care Home by high school girls.

Shira Joseph, GIFT’s Director of Programming said: “We absolutely love partnering on these types of initiatives with other organisations such as Ezra as it is a fabulous opportunity for their youth to be engaged in volunteering, in addition to supporting the community.”

Talia Douek, GIFT’s head of Care Home Initiative Care-nection added: “Now that care homes have been re-opened to volunteers, we are so glad to be bringing the younger generation back to volunteering and building relationships with the elderly. It’s amazing to see the impact on both sides.”

Sophie Woolfstein, GIFT’s Manchester Coordinator, said: “Succah decorating was a beautiful way to get kids and high school students involved.”

Arba Minim sets were donated to GIFT’s recipient families and over 2,000 Sukkot bags containing festival treats were packed by volunteers and distributed before the festival.

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488 Norwood supporters raise £450K

Norwood Distressed Investing Committee Members

Norwood supporters raised £450,000 at the Distressed Investing dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Some 350 members heard insights from a panel of industry experts at the 17th annual event.

James Roome, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Chris Krishanthan, Davidson Kempner, Jed Hart, Centerbridge and Gordon Singer of Elliott Advisors participated. Welcoming guests, Singer said the committee and charity were “proud to be

JWA volunteer wins national award

Jewish Women’s Aid volunteer Iris Taylor has won the Unsung Hero accolade at the Third Sector awards at The Brewery in London.

Six hundred people across the charity sector attended and several other awards were presented to recognise the achievements of individuals at charities and voluntary organisations, celebrating work that makes a difference to society.

Iris, 81, has been a loyal, committed and inspirational volunteer for 30 years. She is responsible for coordinating the volunteer rota for the JWA helpline.

Naomi Dickson, JWA’s CEO said: “We are

Host, Ben Bailey Smith with PHOTO: @PAULHIPHOP JWA representatives absolutely delighted that Iris is getting this wonderful recognition. Iris has seen the service grow and develop and has been absolutely core to the smooth running of our helpline. With her help, we have supported thousands of Jewish women. We are so proud that Iris has won this prestigious supporting climate action”.

Introducing the appeal film, Norwood chair Neville Kahn said the global political turmoil and cost-of-living crisis had compounded Norwood’s challenges.

Paying tribute to Norwood’s life-changing impact, he recalled a 2021 Survation survey for Norwood that found one in four members of the community would need the charity’s services in the next three years.

He noted: “With more people than ever turning to us, you may be surprised by some of the people Norwood helps and by how much we need you to enable us to continue to be there.”

Kahn introduced Norwood tenant Gillian, who spoke about her life-changing support.

“Norwood supported me when my mum needed extra care,” she said. “Now my mum and dad are no longer alive, I miss them a lot but I hope that they would be proud of me if they could see me today.” Calling for support, Gillian added: “Because of Norwood, I am happy.”

British impressionist Jon Culshaw entertained.

Norwood supports people with learning disabilities and autism and children and their families facing social, educational and mental health challenges.

award.”

Judy Roth, JWA volunteer coordinator added: ‘Iris is a truly inspirational volunteer, who has worked tirelessly to support our organisation. The award recognises her outstanding achievement.”

Iris said: “This is an important volunteering role and I believe it is a mitzvah to do this role.”

JWA’s helpline supports women experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. It acts as the gateway to all JWA services, enabling women to make decisions about their lives.

Together with the organisation’s webchat service, launched during the pandemic, the helpline service received 196 calls in the first half of 2022.

These avenues of support are a core feature of what JWA offer Jewish women.

Norwood appoints Jessel

Norwood has appointed Jami’s Head of Development Liz Jessel as its new Director of Fundraising, Communications and Community Engagement.

The appointment comes ahead of the launch of next month’s matched giving campaign.

The charity seeks to consolidate its leading position in the community in the midst of a challenging landscape for community charities given the cost-of-living crisis.

Liz oversaw exponential growth heading up activities at Jami.

Norwood recently opened a new Supported Living service for young adults with complex needs.

Chair Neville Kahn said: “Norwood continues to adapt to meet the growing demands for our life-changing support among the Jewish community. Liz’s proven track record in fundraising and community engagement makes her an ideal addition to our senior leadership team.”

Liz began her career in the financial services industry for brands including Alliance & Leicester, NatWest and Coutts.

Her 14 years within the Liz Jessel charity sector included six years at World Jewish Relief, “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Norwood family at such a critical time, when the community depends on its life-changing support for some of its most vulnerable adults, children and families, more than ever before,” she said. “The pandemic has placed significant pressure on the social care sector and the demand for Norwood’s care and support is growing as a result. As a charity that has been there for its community for more than 225 years, I am looking forward to helping Norwood as it continues to adapt to meet the community’s ever-changing needs.”

20 OCTOBER 2022

Mitzvah Day launch

The official ‘Share Every Mitzvah’ launch for Mitzvah Day takes place today.

Mitzvah Day is the UK’s largest faith-led day of social action, setting up projects, which address real needs.

Each year, in November, over 40,000 people around the world, come together to give their time, not money, to make a difference to the community around us. The initiative brings together people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds, to volunteer side-byside, building longstanding, relationships.

Mitzvah Day projects offer a range of art and crafts activities such as making dog toys for animal rescue centres, eco-projects including tree planting and litter picks, friendship projects like visiting care homes, collection projects at food banks, appreciation projects such as writing letters to hospital workers, cooking initiatives for night shelters and refuge centres, upcycling and care projects such as distributing essential supplies to rough sleepers.

This winter they will look at the ‘Winter Warmer’ project to ensure that all people feel support.

Primary Schools’ cultural exchange

Pupils from Simon Marks Jewish Primary School and Olive Islamic School

Simon Marks Jewish Primary School and Olive Islamic School pupils took part in a cultural exchange for Succot.

A long-standing relationship saw the schools learn about Succot and share in celebrations. Pupils gathered in the Succah and learnt about customs associated with the festival.

With the help of Rabbi Goldmeier, pupils shook the lulav and etrog, and shared a harvest inspired buffet.

Pupils learnt about each other’s interests and life and what they had in common. By the end of the event the children were sad to say farewell, but excited to see each other again.

“Our aim is for pupils to gain a mutual understanding and respect for other cultures and beliefs to help them act as role models in our community of Hackney,” said Ms Metin, Headteacher of Simon Marks School.

Simon Marks and Olive School have had a history of collaboration including sharing gifts for different holidays and festivals. The choirs sing together at Hackney’s Holocaust memorial.