Thank you to our remarkable Mitzvah Day Team led by Ingrid Segal, Sue Morgan, David Levy, Ann Robinson and Judy Lyons.
Project 1 being made possible by the Managing Directors of Carpenders Park Garden Centre, Watford, {CP} and the Manager of Waitrose Northwood {WN} who, together with staff representatives from both organisations, have provided invaluable support and teamwork.
With their continued generosity, the NRUS Mitzvah Day team led by David Levy has been able to develop a plot of land double the size to previously.
Like last year, this year’s main Mitzvah Day project addressed hunger, poverty and unemployment. Our home-grown vegetables were delivered directly from {CP} to Elim Church, Watford, for their Manna Food Bank project and their Oasis Lunch for the Homeless programme. The Elim Church, Watford, continues to support over 3,000 people living in poverty.
This year, an even greater abundance of vegetables was delivered through the summer months. In addition, on Mitzvah Day we also provided dried and tinned foods and toiletries collected from our generous community, plus fresh fruit and vegetables grown in our members’ own gardens. This is an ongoing around the year project.
Project 2 was a new project this year. Led by Sue Morgan and Judy Lyons, NRUS are in partnership with GIFT Hendon. GIFT’S mission is to inspire and enable lifelong giving. NRUS members provided fresh produce for GIFT’s daily food bank. On Mitzvah Day morning our NRUS volunteers packed fresh ingredients for 14 specially created and printed recipes in sealed bags. Beautifully printed ingredients cards were fixed to the front of the bags with our own special NRUS Mitzvah Day labels.
Project 3 – NRUS members led by Sue Morgan and Ingrid Segal provided a special Mitzvah Day Tea & Fun afternoon on Sunday 24th November at the Jewish Family Centre in Temple Fortune. Our Synagogue volunteers provided a lovely tea for single parents and their children. The Centre offers a wide range of confidential support services for families and parents. Our supreme entertainer, Richard Binstock entertained the children, including creating animal balloon shapes. Many different activities were on offer, including artwork facilities, and all ably supported by NRUS volunteer members.
The Candy floss was a popular item and was made and handed out by our own Aviva Wilford. Their new popcorn machine arrived and was operated by Sandy at the JFC.
Sue Morgan provided a singsong, and the children loved the Jumpy Castle, which they were playing on all afternoon.
Each year we extend our Mitzvah Daydreams and we know that next year will be the same. Thank you, Northwood & Ruislip United Synagogue, the small community with a very big heart!
By Ingrid Segal
