Communities from different faiths joined forces as part of the UK’s biggest faith-based day of social action.
The Jewish-led day of good deeds, Mitzvah Day (Sunday 19 November) saw people of all ages and faiths give their time, not their money, to help others.
In the UK alone there were 415 separate Mitzvah Days, resulting in more than 1,200 projects to support the elderly, homeless, refugees and some of the poorest and most vulnerable in society.
Jewish and Hindu group renovated the gardens of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, assisted by Bob Blackman MP. (Pictur: Yakir Zur)
This year’s Mitzvah Day also saw the charity gain its greatest ever global reach ever, with a record 30 countries taking part ranging from Australia, Germany, France and Israel to the Philippines, Namibia, Belarus and Romania.
In total, 40,000 volunteers took part in 731 Mitzvah Days around the world.
At South Hampstead High School in London, the Chief Rabbi helped sort clothes for the Holy Trinity Shelter with Cardinal Nichols, the UK’s most senior Roman Catholic.
Imam Ibrahim Mogra baking challah (Jewish bread) with four different faiths homeless at Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation, to go to the homeless.
They were joined by the Bishop of Edmonton Rt Revd Rob Wickham, Keir Starmer MP, Mitzvah Day’s Interfaith Chair Daniela Pears and school children of all faiths and none.
The event also marked The Pope’s World Day of the Poor.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “Mitzvah Day promotes one of the core values and priorities of our Jewish community in a most extraordinary way.
"The energy, compassion and kindness with which thousands of people on Mitzvah Day give of their time for countless worthy activities never fails to inspire me.”
Mitzvah Day Founder and Chair Laura Marks added: “In a divided world, where we are increasingly suspicious and often fearful of our neighbours, events such as Mitzvah Day are more vital than ever in bringing people together and beginning to form real and lasting friendships between faith groups.”
Muslim and Jewish pupils from JCOSS and Lady Nafisa schools cooking for the homeless for charity Sufra. (Picture: Yakir Zur)
Muslims from the new Golders Green Islamic Centre joined with Jews to give blood at Golders Green Synagogue.
Imam Ibrahim Mogra led Muslim involvement in Mitzvah Day, joining his local Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation to bake the Jewish bread known as challah and make place mats for the homeless.
Imam Mogra said: "Mitzvah Day is important for the Muslim community to participate in. It gives us an excellent opportunity to get to know our Jewish brothers and sisters, as well as people of other faiths."
In total eight different faiths took part in Mitzvah Day – including Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists – resulting in more than 100 interfaith events involving people who had never met before.
A survey of participants, conducted by Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, found that 74% of those taking part felt that they came into contact with someone whom they otherwise would not have encountered. These included people from different faith groups, age groups or ethnicity.
Mitzvah Day also united politicians of all stripes – with Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, Vince Cable and Nicola Sturgeon putting out messages of support.
Calais - Onjali Rauf and Caroline Cottet with all the donations brought on Mitzvah Day
Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue and Stanmore Mosque hosted a clothing collection for the homeless.
The Prime Minister said: “Mitzvah Day is a special time when thousands of people, of different faiths and no faith, come together to help others and do something positive for their local community.”
Rabbi Rich said: “Helping one’s neighbours was something I learned from my aunts, through their example, when they took me volunteering as a child. On Mitzvah Day, like many others around the UK and indeed the world, I was delighted to be accompanied by my children and a grandchild in the hope that they in turn will continue to make the world a better place.”
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