Meet Karen Bunt, Judy Levenson and Barbara Mazliah – Belmont United Synagogue’s Volunteer Community Cares Coordinators.
Karen was involved in setting up Belmont Community Cares (BCC) with the Rabbi almost 20 years ago, and both Judy and Barbara have been Belmont volunteers for many years. Judy became a coordinator at the onset of Covid when they needed to call their members and provide more support, and Barbara joined the team in the last year.
Belmont Synagogue has around 500 members and over 70 are BCC volunteers.
Over the years, as the community has aged and their members’ needs have changed and grown, they have increased the services and support that they provide.
Some of the services they provide include Pesach vouchers for those in financial difficulty, transport to hospital appointments, cooking meals to deliver to ill or bereaved members, regular calls and visits to those who are on their own, unwell, or housebound, and so much more.
Barbara said: “All three of us have volunteered in the Jewish and wider community over a number of years. Belmont is a friendly and caring shul and we all feel we would like to give back in some way. We enjoy talking to members or meeting and helping them when they are going through difficult times. Some of the people we help were volunteers many years ago and we are able to support them now that they are older. BCC is a safety net for the community, and we like to feel that we are there for members.”
Karen said: “We hear through our volunteers or others that someone is ill or lonely. When we call, we are supporting them, but it is also rewarding for us. People have had such varied and full lives and they share their stories with us. We enjoy supporting our volunteers who are amazing and go above and beyond when visiting or helping members.”
Judy said: “People are appreciative to receive a call or a meal delivery and that makes it all the more worthwhile. It is not the actual food that we deliver that matters, but the fact that we have thought of them and had a chance to chat on the doorstep that they like. We often receive messages thanking our volunteers for their kindness.
One of their newest initiatives is a very successful monthly ‘Lunch and Natter’ for members, where they host almost 50 people each month. This gives people who are living on their own and don’t get out often the opportunity to meet new people or re-connect with members. Volunteers prepare fresh soup and sandwiches in the shul kitchen and it is a sociable time for the volunteers too.
“Sometimes the only communication members get from a shul is their annual bill. We feel strongly that it is important to proactively connect and make a difference for as many members of the community as we can.”
