JW3 chief to deliver challah and fruit to community members in self-isolation

The JW3’s chief executive Raymond Simonson has urged the community to perform “random acts of kindness,” as he prepares to home-deliver fresh challah and fruit to those self-isolating in north London.

Simonson says his phone has not stopped buzzing since he took to Facebook this morning to offer to lend a hand to those stuck at home after the prime minister Boris Johnson advised anyone showing mild coronavirus symptoms to self-isolate.

“There were a hundred responses, people sending hearts and really sweet messages, and other people saying ‘can I share this’ and others saying ‘I’m going to do the same in my neighbourhood’,” he tells Jewish News.

The charity executive plans to visit two homes on Friday afternoon and leave fresh fruit and challah by the door in a move he says can help combat loneliness. “It as much about the gesture of someone popping in and doing something nice for them that makes them remember they’re not alone,” he says.

“Let’s make sure we don’t as a community only come together when we’re fighting antisemitism or defending Israel,” he adds. “Let’s come together and support each other through random acts of kindness.”

The community’s main Jewish organisations, he says, have been sharing information and best practices to combat the spread of the virus together.

“I’ve been in WhatsApp groups or video conferences with so many different colleagues in different Jewish organisations,” he says.

“Today I was on a Zoom set up by the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies, and there were about 65 CEOs from across the Jewish communal sector all on a call for nearly two hours, sharing how we’re planning, what we’re doing,” he adds.

• If you’ve witnessed or taken part in acts of kindness during the pandemic we’d like to hear from you. You can get in touch on editorial@thejngroup.com.