Jewish youth and faith leaders unite in Lords to champion charity and social action
Progressive Judaism, UJS and interfaith partners highlight shared values of service and unity at House of Lords reception
Jewish youth leaders and faith representatives from across the UK gathered in the House of Lords this week to highlight the role of religion in driving social action and strengthening communities.
The “Faith in Charity” reception, hosted by the Aziz Foundation, brought together Jewish, Muslim and Christian organisations to showcase grassroots volunteering and interfaith collaboration.
Opening the event, Rahima Aziz of the foundation said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome you all to our faith and charity event, celebrating the world of Britain’s faith communities, in contributing positively to our country and our fellow citizens.”
She added: “Jewish communities in Britain volunteer their time more frequently than any other community.”
Representing The Movement for Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Charley Baginsky highlighted the impact of Jewish youth activism.
“Some of the most powerful moral voices in our community today are our young people,” she said. “They are not simply learning about Judaism as an identity. They’re learning that Jewish tradition carries an ethical demand.”
She added that Jewish teaching “refuses the idea that faith is private” and instead calls for communities that are “compassionate, courageous, and outward facing”.
Jess Spanier and Saskia Marrett, speaking on behalf of LJY-Netzer, the youth movement of Liberal Judaism, described how those values are put into practice by young Jews.
“Tikkun olam… is one of our foundational ideological pillars,” they said. “Social action is woven into what we do through the nature of being a progressive Jewish movement.”
They highlighted volunteering in food banks, environmental projects and refugee initiatives, as well as campaigning work led by young people.
Samantha Lewkowicz, Social Action and Holocaust Education Sabbatical Officer at the Union of Jewish Students, said interfaith and social action work remains central despite challenges on campus.
“It is essential… that we invest time in supporting those around us, building bridges between communities, and work collectively towards a more compassionate and hopeful future,” she said.
She added: “The level of engagement has been remarkable,” referring to a student refugee ambassador programme involving dozens of participants across UK campuses.
Christian organisations also shared their work, including St James’s Church Piccadilly, which runs outreach programmes supporting people facing homelessness and hardship.
Joanna Kelly told the audience: “When people of different faiths come together to serve human needs… we become not just neighbours, but community, even family.”
She added: “We are not defending God from one another. We are discovering God in one another.”
Volunteers also reflected on their experiences. Monica Bashabe, a volunteer at St James’s Piccadilly, said: “Volunteering is one way I can put my faith into action and contribute to our community.”
Another volunteer added: “Faith is not only prayer. It is action, responsibility to those people.”
From the Catholic charity CAFOD, Andrea Speranza said the organisation’s work is rooted in a simple principle: “The command to love your neighbour was not an abstract idea… it was at the very foundation of their faith.”
She added: “Our neighbour is not only the person next to me… but anyone, anywhere, that might need a helping hand.”
CAFOD volunteer Nana Churcher told the audience: “The Bible tells me to love my neighbour as myself… and that is one of the values we share.”
Speakers from PL84U Al-Suffa highlighted the central role of charity in Islam.
Founder Saira Begum Mir BEM said: “Giving what you love for yourself to another is the true meaning of charity.”
She added: “By sharing meals… we get to know one another… and prove that practical kindness can change things.”
Across the event, speakers stressed that while faith traditions differ, their shared commitment to helping others remains strong.
The reception concluded with a call for continued interfaith collaboration with attendees departing for a joint Iftar in Trafalgar Square.
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