Community News Roundup!

All the latest community news stories from the past week!

Email your story to community@thejngroup.com !

A pro dinner for Langdon

Langdon’s Pro Patrons, young professionals who support the specialist learning disabilities charity, held its Pro Patrons dinner at Shaka Zulu in Camden and raised £15,000 towards its work for young people and adults with learning difficulties. Richard Moross MBE, the founder and CEO of moo.com, addressed the 135 guests, with Paul Joseph, co-chairman of Langdon’s Pro Patrons Committee and brother of Langdon member Gabs, saying: “It’s wonderful to see so many people who are new to Langdon come and support the organisation. This is our third annual dinner for young professionals, and the 30 percent increase in guests since last year illustrates how this group, and Langdon as a whole, continues to grow, enabling it to fulfil its vital role in providing independent living to its many members with learning disabilities.”

Annie’s flowers raise £1,000

Annie Lewis knitted more than 450 Forget-Me-Nots, the symbolic flower for the Alzheimer’s Society, to mark Dementia Awareness Week. The 95-year-old is a member of Jewish Care’s Southend & Westcliff Community Centre and has lived in one of the 17 independent living apartments at Jewish Care’s Shebson Lodge, located directly above the community centre, for the past five years. The knitted flowers have so far raised more than £1,000 and were presented to the Alzheimer’s Society at an afternoon tea. Sue Haswell, dementia care co-ordinator at the Jewish Care centre, said: “I was hoping we could raise £100, but Annie was aiming for £1,000 and has already raised in excess of that. We’d like to thank her family and friends and the community for their support.”

Sacks praises Beit midrash

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks addressed 150 guests at the dedication of the new UJIA-funded Beit Midrash complex at Yeshivat Hesder Netiv Tefachot in the central Galil. The rural yeshiva’s 180 students, mainly from poor urban neighbourhoods and development towns, will be able to leave their old portable cabins and instead study in the modern two-storey Steinberg Family Beit Midrash building. The small community takes at-risk young men aged 18 to 24 and offers them a programme that combines Jewish studies, national service and community projects. The new block houses a study hall (named after Rabbi Sacks), a women’s section and study rooms for the use of the community. After his remarks, Rabbi Sacks said a prayer aimed at the yeshiva community.

Rosh pinah’s inspiring visit

Key Stage 2 pupils at Rosh Pinah Primary School had a surprise visit from Paralympian Kate Grey at a recent PE session. The silver and bronze medalist was joined by the 2010 Commonwealth gold medalist, Ryan Scott, who took them through a range of exercises. Mr Goldin, PE Coordinator, said: “At Rosh Pinah we’re very proud of our sport provision and opportunities, but having a Paralympic athlete visit was just inspiring. The children were so excited, too, and represented the school excellently by participating to the full.”

Legal eagles help Jewish care

More than 100 young law professionals enjoyed a lively Question Time-style debate with a panel of legal experts. Hosted by law firm Jones Day, the panel included Lord Grabiner QC, Anthony Julius, Lord Pannick QC, and legal commentator and journalist, Joshua Rozenberg. Sky News broadcaster Samantha Simmonds chaired the evening, which was organised by the Young Jewish Care Law Committee. Chair of the YJC Law Committee, Andrew Freedman, said: “We were able to raise £5,000 for Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre, a fantastic amount that will go towards the wonderful work at the centre.” Daniel Carmel-Brown, director of fundraising and marketing at Jewish Care, said: “I’d like to thank the panel for giving their time and sharing their expertise with young legal professionals in the community.”

Norwood thanks helpers

To celebrate National Volunteers’ Week (held between 1 and 7 June) the volunteering team at Norwood is taking to the road to thank as many of Norwood’s hundreds of volunteers as it can, as well as drum up more recruits. Volunteering business development manager at Norwood, Jennie Wharram, said: “At an estimate, through the time they give, our volunteers save the charity more than £2 million a year. Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to spend your time, and this week we’ll be encouraging our volunteers to share their stories and photos on social media.”