Chief Rabbi on hand as Jewish Blind & Disabled’s new build is set in stone

Jewish Blind & Disabled (JBD) marked the inaugural concrete pour at its new development in Mill Hill alongside the charity’s patron Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and local MP Mathew Offord.

Due for completion in the summer of 2024, Ephraim Court is JBD’s eighth development, providing 30 new apartments for people with physical disabilities or vision impairments as well as an overnight studio apartment for the on-site house manager and a range of communal facilities.

Apartments will include accessible, modern fitted kitchens and walk in shower rooms, spacious enough to accommodate wheelchairs. There will also be communal laundry facilities, a lounge, small garden and roof terrace. There is parking for tenants enabling those who drive to retain this aspect of their independence.

Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “Our Jewish world depends on chesed, and I am blown away by the act of kindness from the Ephraim 1998 Charitable Trust in supporting this building. Huge thank you to one and all for being part of the successful foundations of Jewish life for those that need us.”

The building is named Ephraim Court in memory of brothers Menashi (Morris) and Heskel (Harry) Ephraim, after the charity secured a lead gift for the new development from the Ephraim 1998 Charitable Trust.

Jewish Blind & Disabled’s chair, Marc Gordon, said: “We are committed to doing all we can to ensure we meet the increasing demand of our unique offering in the community. Today is another milestone towards that. We wouldn’t be here celebrating if it wasn’t for the generosity of our supporters”.

Mathew Offord MP, a long-time supporter of JBD, said: “I know this development will help meet the needs of people living in the community.”