Extreme poverty charity Tzedek to close after 32 years

Tzedek – the charity established 32 years ago as the UK Jewish community’s response to extreme poverty – has announced it is closing down.

In a statement, chair Miles Webber confirmed: “Our board of trustees regularly reviews options that allow us to achieve our mission in the most efficient, sustainable, and effective way possible. We constantly challenge ourselves as to how the UK Jewish community can best accelerate global development and alleviate poverty.

“We recognise it is no longer right to ask the Jewish community to choose between different global development charities which are all doing great work. For this reason, after serious consideration, we will be closing the curtains on an era. Tzedek will be ceasing operations as a charity effective immediately.”

The charity’s work had been regularly singled out for praise during its three decades in existence. Campaigns such as  ‘Live Below the Line’, urged the community to live on £1 a day for a week to experience what it was like for those living in poverty.

Thousands were lifted out of poverty each year as a result of Tzedek’s campaigns and work.

The charity worked tirelessly in partnership with the UK Jewish and global communities to “bring about lasting change in the pursuit of a just world and the alleviation of extreme poverty.”

Webber confirmed the Tzedek board were “deeply disappointed by this development” but said two of the organisation’s flagship programmes will continue thanks to the support and leadership of World Jewish Relief.

He said the Chief Rabbi’s landmark Ben Azzai programme, which was delivered by Tzedek, will now be supported by World Jewish Relief (WJR) and Tzedek’s partnership with the Ghana Developing Communities Association will also continue its critical development work under the auspices of WJR.

“Our legacy also lives on through our inspiring young alumni who founded Young Social Enterprise, which was incubated at Tzedek and is now preparing to stand on its own leg,” wrote Webber.

“We hope, and encourage, our Tzedek community continues to show up for these important partners and programmes, delivering our work through new avenues.”

Explaining the decision to close Webber said the charity had “witnessed a significant shift in attention away from our work, which builds on steady, sustained change over time, and requires communal commitment to maintain.”

He added “the pandemic has affected our ability to hold fundraising events, to travel to our development partners overseas, and to operate in-person youth programmes. ”

In a message to those who had donated to the charity, he confirmed: “If you have generously agreed to a direct debit or regular standing order, please cancel these at the earliest opportunity.

“Any funds received after 30 September will be directed to supporting our partners in support of their vital work. Your personal data will be deleted from our system as we close the operation and there is no need to specifically request this action from us.”