Mitzvah Day 2014 sees record 54 interfaith projects

17 November 2014, 5:05 pm

This year’s Mitzvah Day kicked-started National Interfaith week and saw a record number of interfaith projects with 54 Multi Faith Partnerships, many repeats year on year, demonstrating durable, meaningful local relationships with several new Jewish-Muslim partnerships positively embracing engagement through grassroots social action.  

The Mayor of Camden, Lazarro PietragnolI, Interfaith Chair of Mitzvah Day Laura Marks and others from the interfaith community met up at Sanktus soup kitchen at OLHC (Our Lady Help of Christians) Church, Kentish Town, to chat to the homeless and to deliver chollahs from Chollah for Hunger Charity.

Father Tom Ford said “were all gathered here today as human beings, in a friendly atmosphere. I think religion opens a deeper part of ourselves. God wants us to be as one, but we tend to move in different directions, so it’s important that we meet on purpose.”

Nicky Liss, the Rabbi of Highgate synagogue outlined that “it’s been very moving to see the work that goes on here,and a privilege to have played a small part in it.”

The Mayor of Camden, Lazarro Pietragnoli, Mayoress Daniela Pears, (Interfaith Chair Mitzvah Day) Laura Marks, Mitzvah Day Chair, Father Tom Forde, Rabbi Liss, from Highgate Synagogue and Haniah Arjmandi, from the Sufi Islamic Community of Highgate

A brand new nationwide Mitzvah Day partnership with the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) resulted in substantial food collections to food banks (many Trussle Trusts) across the country with over 600 new volunteers.  

At least 12 branches collected as well as the offices of all the Presidents.  

Collections aren’t complete and will continue through the week. If you want further details on this you could speak direct to CCJ but we’re informed that the Methodists and United Reform Church alongside other expected groups were very supportive. 

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis visited South Hampstead synagogue  mitzvah day collectathon.
Chief Rabi Ephraim Mirvis, center
South Hampstead volunteers came out in full force on Mitzvah Day bringing in bags of second hand clothing together with huge contributions from Lyndhurst School NW3.
Volunteers sorted, bagged, labelled and sent donations to British Heart Foundation and JAMI shops, with 300 bags collected in total.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis said that “I feel so proud of South Hampstead Synagogue for the amazing initiatives for the needy on mitzvah day. They are a great inspiration”.
Rabbi Eli Levin associate Rabbi of South hampstead “I think it’s really moving and really powerful to see the community young and old unite for such an uplifting cause”.
The Pastor of the 7th Day Adventist Church, Felix McPherson, only 100 yards from the Synagogue, chose to volunteer with us and some elders from his community.  Felix McPherson said that “it’s exciting and something that every religious community/organisation should be involved in. I hope I will be able to be with you next time it happens and get the majority of my congregation to be with you. Thanks for the invitation.”

A brand new nationwide Mitzvah Day partnership with the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) resulted in substantial food collections to food banks (many Trussle Trusts) across the country with over 600 new volunteers.  

At least 12 branches collected as well as the offices of all the Presidents.    

Woodford Liberal Community

Hendon Reform, Hendon Mosque and Jesus House joined together yet again for their third or fourth year to do a Mitzvah Day shopping at Tesco Brent Cross Radlett Reform, Radlett United, Aldenham Parish Church and the Hare Krishne Temple joined yet again to muddy their hands with planting bulbs in the local churchyard.

Previously they’ve cleared local parkland and prepared areas for Spring.

This project has dozens of participants with people looking forward to their annual multi-faith put on your wellies.

Edgware District Reform Synagogue and Stanmore Mosque were one of a number of new Jewish-Muslim partnerships, collecting at Stanmore Sainsburys and donating to SUFRA food bank in Wembley.

Oxford Jewish Community spent Mitzvah Day morning at the Cheder classes with children and parents and an Interfaith group planted trees again for the Community Woodland on Cumnor Hill: Bahai, Quaker, Pagan and Jewish active together having fun.

Oxford Jewish Community
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