Month of mitzvahs born out of pandemic

This year’s Mitzvah Day has been replaced with a mitzvah month, with events held during November focused on two crises in society – food poverty and loneliness.

With both issues made worse by the pandemic, the planned month continues the #EveryMitzvahMatters interfaith scheme that Mitzvah Day launched during the last lockdown to highlight how even the smallest every day acts of kindness can be transformative for both the receiver and the giver, especially during these exceptional times.

Mitzvah Day chair Laura Marks said: “With food poverty and loneliness hitting record levels in our pandemic and pain-stricken world, not only does Every Mitzvah Matter – it’s vital.

“I’m overwhelmed by how many acts of kindness are taking place to address these crises and am excited to highlight the generous, thoughtful and targeted volunteering projects, across faiths and backgrounds, taking place during this month of lockdown, all real mitzvahs.”

More than 250 faith communities, organisations and businesses are expected to take part in the Month of Mitzvahs, with 40 schools/nurseries and potentially thousands of individuals and family groups.

Many will be collecting for their local food banks, with volunteers getting in touch with their local food bank, finding out what they need and then collecting it.