Mitzvah Day launches as 55,000 volunteers will ‘repair the world’

More than 55,000 volunteers will ‘repair the world’ on Mitzvah Day, as the theme for the UK’s largest faith-based day of social action was announced at a launch event in Brighton.

Speaking to the gathering of clergy, civic leaders and volunteers, Mitzvah Day chair Laura Marks CBE said: “Tikkun olam, the Jewish value to repair the world, is integral to all faiths and belief systems. That is why this year we aim to give our time, collectively, to address the human inflicted damage both on vulnerable people and on our precious fragile environment.”

Mitzvah Day 2023 will take place on and around Sunday 19 November. Projects this year will be focused on three key ways to repair the world through tackling loneliness, hunger and damage to our planet.

The theme was warmly welcomed by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who said: “We cannot solve all of the world’s problems in one day, but every small step helps – and Mitzvah Day gives us all the chance to make the most of that opportunity.

Rabbis Josh Levy and Charley Baginsky – the leaders of Progressive Judaism – told how they were “delighted” to be supporting the launch, adding: “Mitzvah Day makes connections within communities, between communities and between the Jewish world and other faiths.”

The launch event was held at the new BNJC – Brighton & Hove Jewish Community Centre. Guests included Councillor Mohammed Asaduzzaman, who made history by becoming Brighton & Hove’s first Muslim Deputy Mayor, Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman and BNJC CEO Mark Sugarman.

To fit in with the theme, all those attending brought toiletries for the Brighton Housing Trust, a local charity dedicated to combating homelessness, poverty and marginalisation.