Shoah survivor services relocated as Jewish Care to restart of in-person events

Services for Holocaust survivors and other elderly members of the community are being relocated as Jewish Care announces the resumption of in-person activities.

The social care charity will be moving activities from its Holocaust Survivors’ Centre in Hendon to a space at the Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre in Golders Green. This is being done to give better access to members, and because it has better transport links, parking and is more convenient for survivors living at the charity’s facilities.

Activities at the Brenner Centre in Stepney are being transferred to local  communal halls and community buildings in the area, while Redbridge Jewish Community Centre’s events will also be run from a number of local synagogues.

It added that its Dementia Day Centres will be the first to resume in-person activity in July, while a new state-of-the-art facility in Sandringham covering 16 acres of woodland will incorporate services from facilities in Edgware and Harrow.

The charity said its virtual offerings, in addition to regular Meals on Wheels, telephone befriending, digital engagement, social work and family carers support services.

It reassured the community, saying it would take extra precautions to ensure in-person activities were done safely – as the community continues to open up amid the pandemic.

Daniel Carmel-Brown, Chief Executive, Jewish Care, said: “We are delighted to be able to share our plans for re-opening centres and resuming in-person activity. The pandemic has changed the way that many of us operate and Jewish Care is no exception. We have taken the opportunity to look at what we can do for our members that better reflects their needs now, the future needs of the community, and how we offer more choice and flexibility moving forward.

“So many of our members have shown incredible resilience and adversity over the last year, and we have seen a huge uptake in our digital events and offering, but for some, this has been no substitute for the company and comfort that in-person activity can offer. As long as we are able to do so safely, we are very excited to be able to see our members, volunteers and staff back in our centres and adding to the Jewish Care family.”