Charities showcase resilience, innovation and care

From vital health initiatives and growth of facilities to support across education, illness, mental health, disability services and more, every generation is uplifted, protected and empowered by the myriad charity organisations that are so fundamental to Jewish life both here and in Israel. Here they share their latest achievements and their plans for the new year.

Test in time

Time is running out for a very important scheme that ends this autumn. BRCA gene faults – linked to higher risks of breast, ovarian, prostate and other cancers – are more common in people with Jewish ancestry. The NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme offers free, at-home saliva tests to identify these variants. As the official engagement partner to NHS England for this programme, Jnetics, alongside Chai Cancer Care, plays a vital role in raising awareness about BRCA-associated cancers and the importance of genetic testing. Over 35,000 people have signed up and if you’re over 18, live in England, and have at least one Jewish grandparent, you’re eligible. The deadline to request a kit is 31st October – don’t miss this life-saving opportunity. jewishbrca.org

Future perfect

Shaare Zedek Medical Center has announced an ambitious expansion – a 20-storey hospital tower that will double the hospital’s size and drastically reduce waiting times for life-saving surgeries. The new facility will house 50 operating theatres, shielded ICUs and cutting-edge infrastructure. Professor Jonathan Halevy, President of Shaare Zedek, says the expansion is essential to meet Jerusalem’s growing healthcare demands. The hospital’s commitment to inclusive care is a central part of its mission and Jewish and Arab healthcare professionals work side by side. Looking to the future, the hospital is embracing innovation, including artificial intelligence to improve diagnostic accuracy in areas such as colonoscopies and CT scan triage. shaarezedek.org.uk

New Year refresh

Rosh Hashanah is a time of renewal, reflection and fresh beginnings and is the perfect time for Nightingale Hammerson to unveil the beautiful refurbishment of Nightingale House. Steeped in 185 years of history, it now features a stunning new Activity Hub, inspired by the state-of-the-art design of Hammerson House. With a new kitchen, soft furnishings, updated flooring and lighting, the space has been transformed into a welcoming environment where residents can enjoy the many clubs and activities. The vibrant new café is a shared space for residents, team members, volunteers and visitors and the newly refurbished Garden Café which opens onto magnificent gardens offers a tranquil and modern setting to sip coffee, chat, or simply take a quiet moment of reflection. These revitalised and renewed surroundings bring a fresh beginning filled with joy and the spirit of community. nightingalehammerson.org

50 years and counting

As we enter a new year, Israel’s leading volunteer-staffed organisation will be celebrating its 50th anniversary by continuing its essential role of providing compassionate health and home care services for people of all ages. Since Oct 7, Yad Sarah has played an essential role in Israel’s recovery by supporting tens of thousands of individuals injured in war and filling gaps in home healthcare needs. Last year alone, Yad Sarah lent nearly 810,000 units of medical equipment to support outpatient rehabilitation, childhood injuries, chronic illness, elder care and more. The organisation also addresses urgent social gaps, including combating senior loneliness, offering pro bono legal aid for the elderly, and expanding accessible travel for people with mobility challenges. yadsarah.org.uk

From rubble to resilience

IDF commander Omri Rozenblit was gravely injured in Gaza when a massive IED (bomb) exploded beneath him. He lost his leg, suffered severe burns and nerve damage and lost 100 percent of his blood. During his long recovery at Beit Halochem, he met fellow veteran Wozi, paralysed from the waist down, who refused to let him give up. Wozi challenged him to a game of wheelchair basketball with the words: “You’ve got three limbs. That’s more than enough.” Omri credits Beit Halochem as “the most important organisation for my future”. His goal is to run again and to show the world that courage is the decision to fight through the pain. bhuk.org

Women leading the way

At WIZO the new year is about resilience, impact and Jewish women leading the way. Earlier this month the Gala Dinner celebrated the winners of WIZO’s Entrepreneur Awards – championing visionary changemakers – and in December the annual Literary Lunch will host guest speaker Anne Sebba, author of The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz. WIZO is launching a new podcast, Impacting Your Future, sharing inspiring stories from business leaders, judges and finalists and in Israel, vital projects continue – from youth villages to women’s shelters. wizouk.org

Healthy future

Jnetics is the UK’s only cross-communal Jewish charity dedicated to the prevention and diagnosis of Jewish genetic disorders (JGDs). While not exclusive to Jewish people, these conditions are significantly more prevalent among those with Jewish ancestry. Through education and accessible carrier screening, Jnetics is working towards a future where no parent has to face the heartbreak of a child born with a severe but preventable recessive JGD. Offering subsidised screening for 49 serious genetic conditions through the Jnetics Clinic, Jnetics on Campus, and Jnetics in Schools, the charity has found that 40 percent of those screened are carriers. With this knowledge, individuals can make informed choices to help ensure their children are not affected. jnetics.org

Campus champions

“It was fantastic to show nearly 300 people from the local community around the site of the new Sugar and Ronson Campus on hard hat tours this summer,” says Jewish Care CEO Daniel Carmel-Brown. The new facility (opening June 2026) will be transformative for the Jewish community across Essex and north east London, bringing all local Jewish Care services under one roof. Cornerstone donors Lord Sugar and his family, and the Ronson family (via The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family), have been key to making this a reality. Following Jewish Care’s Always Essex fundraising campaign, which raised £1 million, Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising & Marketing, Ellisa Estrin, says: “We thank every person in the community whose generous donations to the campaign are vital in helping us meet the needs of the community.” To view a fly-through film of the new Sugar and Ronson Campus visit jewishcare.org/Redbridge

Support and care

The High Holy Days can be especially difficult for families with a seriously ill child. Between hospital stays, medical appointments and the needs of siblings and daily life, the added demands of the festivals can feel overwhelming. Camp Simcha offers bespoke support and respite care so families can share a Yom Tov meal, volunteer help with siblings, crisis household support, hospital transport and help to make the festivals feel meaningful for families whose child is in hospital. Camp Simcha’s year-round practical, therapeutic and emotional support for the whole family, along with parties, outings and retreats bring joy and connection in the hardest times. Camp Simcha’s Communities of Support now includes parent groups for those with children born prematurely; or living with type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s and colitis and epilepsy, and an eating disorders parent support group. campsimcha.org.uk

Counselling for children

Mental health service Jami, part of Jewish Care, has extended its talking therapies support for adults to include young people aged 11–18, who are already accessing Jami’s Dangoor Children and Young Person’s Service. Jami has also acquired four new counselling suites, generously funded by The Wohl Legacy, each themed to connect to nature and the four seasons of the year. These will provide adults and young people with a bespoke, welcoming and safe space for their one-to-one sessions. Louise Kermode, director of community mental health services (Jami), says, “It can be challenging to talk about how we feel when we are finding it difficult to cope. Being able to provide our clients with an appropriate environment to express their emotions is therefore so important.” jami.org

Changing lives

This Rosh Hashanah, Jewish Child’s Day is proud to launch a new Grants Strategy that means donations goes further and change more lives. By focusing on four vital pillars – poverty relief, disability support, mental health, and rebuilding young lives in Israel – larger, more impactful grants are being awarded to projects in both the UK and Israel. That means more children helped, deeper change, and support that lasts long into the future, including daily meals for children in Southern Tel Aviv, horse-riding therapy in Gateshead, mental health services in London and safe spaces for children displaced by war. jcd.uk.com

Enabling independence

Jewish Blind & Disabled (JBD) houses 360 people across seven accessible housing developments in north east and north west London and Herts. Alongside providing a safe and adapted home to meet the individual needs of tenants, each development has a 24/7 onsite house manager and a warm, supportive Jewish community. JBD also offers support for people living in their own home though its Independent Living Advisory (ILA) which helps people with disabilities get information, advice and access to aids and adaptations to enable them to maintain independence. JBD’s sight loss groups offer a space for sharing experiences, accessing resources and participating in activities designed to improve wellbeing and foster a sense of community. jbd.org

Cancer care

People often tell Chair Cancer Care, the community’s leading support service for people and their families facing a diagnosis, that for someone affected by cancer the chagim feel different. The festivals that were once filled with joy, food and family togetherness now carry an entirely different weight. As a faith-based service in the community, the team understand the impact of Rosh Hashanah without a loved one. With 11 centres across the UK, it provides a place where people are supported with compassion, dignity and hope. Chai’s care is wide-ranging, reflecting the many layers of need that a cancer diagnosis brings, from counselling to complementary therapies and creative outlets such as art, music and even play therapy for children from as young as three. Bringing people together is key and support groups allow clients to meet others who can help one another through shared experiences. The Young Persons Loss of a Parent group offers a space for young people to speak openly about milestones ahead without their parent: making kiddush, standing under the chuppah, or celebrating the birth of a child. chaicancercare.org

Learning and community

Kisharon Langdon’s engaging and educational programme for the chagim ensures those it supports enjoy a meaningful and inclusive experience. The Enterprise Team is in full swing creating festive products, including personalised honey jars for Rosh Hashanah, which are available to order on the Kisharon Langdon website. Educational services – Tuffkid Nursery, Wohl Campus Kisharon Noé School and Kisharon Langdon College – are energised for the new academic year, with a refreshed curriculum and an exciting Kodesh programme at the heart of all learning. There is also a dynamic calendar of events, from the popular golf day and Speed Monopoly, to a showstopping fundraising dinner, where the people supported play key roles, from behind-the-scenes production to being toastmasters on stage. kisharonlangdon.org.uk

Children of war

The people of Ukraine are still enduring the hardships of relentless attacks. For Jewish communities there, this Rosh Hashanah will be the fourth marked under the shadow of war. The ongoing war has meant the learning crisis for children is catastrophic; children are traumatised and falling behind and the country is at risk of losing a whole generation. World Jewish Relief is prioritising thousands of children who need psychological support and educational support for the chance of a better future. worldjewishrelief.org