Mitzvah Day enters new chapter with JW3 as its future home

JW3, the UK’s leading Jewish community centre, is set to become the institutional home of Mitzvah Day, the UK’s largest faith-led day of social action.

Subject to final formal sign-off by both organisations’ trustees and with the move supported by the JLC, Board of Deputies, and key funders, Mitzvah Day will stop operating as a separate organisation in coming months with a significant reduction in costs to the community.

Founded by Laura Marks in 2005, Mitzvah Day has, over the past two decades, become a pillar of the Jewish calendar. Initially incubated by JCC for London – the organisation that later became JW3, it became an independent charity in 2008.

Each year, tens of thousands of volunteers take part in projects across synagogues, schools, youth groups, charities, interfaith networks, businesses and local communities, supporting people and causes across the UK and far beyond.

Mitzvah Day will retain its name, identity and community-wide character, with JW3 working closely with Marks and an advisory group of trustees from both organisations to support the successful delivery of Mitzvah Day 2026 and beyond.

JW3 chief executive Raymond Simonson, said: “Mitzvah Day is one of the great success stories of British Jewish communal life. For 20 years, Laura and her team have built something remarkable: a Jewish-led movement that brings people together across generations, denominations, faiths and backgrounds, and turns Jewish values into practical acts of kindness, justice and responsibility.”

He adds: “For JW3 to help steward the future growth of Mitzvah Day is a real honour. We take that responsibility seriously. Our role is to protect what has made Mitzvah Day so trusted and loved, while giving it the organisational support to continue to thrive. At the same time, bringing Mitzvah Day into JW3 strengthens our own deep commitment to outward-facing social action.

As JW3 enters its Bar Mitzvah year, Simonson says the move “feels like a powerful expression of the more mature role we are now playing in British Jewish life. JW3 is increasingly recognised as the safe home for Jewish culture and conversation, and as a place where Jewish life connects confidently and constructively with wider society. Mitzvah Day fits that mission perfectly.”

Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks said: “When we started Mitzvah Day in 2005, the idea was simple: that Jewish communities should come together not to raise money, but to give our time, build relationships, support others and show Jewish values in action.

“Over 20 years, and with the unwavering support of the Pears Foundation, Mitzvah Day has grown into something far bigger than any one person or organisation. It spans generations, denominations, faiths and countries, and it belongs to the thousands of volunteers, coordinators, synagogues, schools, charities and partners who make it happen every year.

“That is why I am delighted that Mitzvah Day’s next chapter will be with JW3. Raymond and the JW3 team understand both the heart and the importance of Mitzvah Day. JW3 has been part of the story from the beginning, and I believe it is the right home to help Mitzvah Day continue to inspire, connect and strengthen communities for many years to come.”

JW3’s social action projects include its food bank, NHS Blood donation days and interfaith programmes.

• Mitzvah Day 2026 will take place on Sunday 22 November. To register, click here.