JSAM Launches at the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster, London, UK – 21 November 2005

A big thank you to everyone who came to support the event

Over 100 people gathered in the House of Commons to mark the official launch of 2005 Jewish Social Action month in the UK.

Please visit our photo gallery for more photos.

 

Dignitaries, leaders and activists from across the political and religious spectrum of our community including the Israel Embassy, United Synagogue, Masorti, Reform Movement, Liberal Judaism, JCC for London, Make Poverty History Jewish Coalition, Tzedek, World Jewish Relief, World Jewish Aid, British ORT, Board of Deputies, IDS Housing, JAFI , the Yoni Jesner Foundation, Immanuel College, many synagogue communities and the spectrum of Youth Movements including Bnei Akiva, RSY Netzer, LJY Netzer, FZY joined together in marking the important of putting into practice the Jewish Values of Chesed and Tzedek. The Alyth Youth Singers gave an incredible rendition of Nachad Ya'amod (Together we stand / all for one and one for all) and Im Tirzu. This official event will surely be a firm springboard to ensure further Social Action projects are initiated in the year to come.

Hosted and Chaired by Louise Ellman, MP – who chaired the event said “how opportune this meeting is taking place in the House of Commons, at a time when MPs are debating the Equality Bill. The House of Commons is all about putting legislation into place to ensure peoples lives are enhanced, but that is only one side of the coin, the other side, which is an important side is the work that you are all doing on the ground, the volunteering, the community work, and I wholeheartedly endorse and support this wonderful effort for Jewish Social Action Month. It has been an inspiration for me to hear all the incredible work that you are involved with here in the UK community”

Ivan Lewis MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury – “I wish to strongly endorse the objectives of JSAM. The values of community and service so prevalent in the Jewish community have never been more important. We have long understood that individual ambition and aspiration is strengthened when accompanied by community solidarity and a strong commitment to social justice. Global economic change, international terrorism and climate change all represent new challenges which ask new questions and require modern answers. However, values are enduring and timeless, the best of which are represented by JSAM. I wish this exciting initiative great success."

Lord Janner of Braunstone – “It is always great when members of our community take it upon themselves to help those in need of support or assistance, but it is particularly special when it is the young leaders that take responsibility for such important initiatives. During KolDor’s social action month many groups and individuals have benefited from the time and dedication of hundreds of young people. But when this month of activity comes to an end the impact of KolDor will certainly continue to resonate. KolDor is bringing together young Jews around the world and helping them to become an active and leading force in the Jewish world. It is events such as this that make me very proud of our young people and their commitment to our community.”

Nicky Gavron – Deputy Mayor of London – “Social action helps create strong communities, and London’s Jewish community provides a wonderful example of active participation and volunteering at all levels. Your individual actions will all make a difference and, with such a range projects and so many of you getting involved, it is no wonder that the Jewish community is so strong and vibrant. Volunteering also teaches important citizenship and leadership skills and I have high hopes that you will be London’s active and responsible citizens in the years to come.”

JSAM PROJECTS IN THE UK INCLUDE:

Projects undertaken reflect the character and interests of the participants, these range from environmental projects, visiting old age homes through to educational and sporting activities for underprivileged children. The breadth of activity is truly inspiring, and some of the participants in the projects will be joining us on Monday evening. Youth Movements, the Union of Jewish Students, Jewish Schools, Synagogues and organizations across the community - hundreds of activists are taking part in Social Action projects across the country a sample include:

• The “Immanuel College Yoni Jesner Tzedakak Days”, launched on 16th November, school students are visiting the elderly in Jewish Care homes every Wednesday morning throughout November 2005 to March 2006.
• Habonim Dror are sending out a Social action e-mail everyday for the whole month of Chesvan/November to over 2000 people a day, actions include cleaning a cemetery in Manchester, and they have started a mobile phone recycling scheme in conjunction with Blue Peter.
• The Jewish Community Centre for London: On the 6th November, the Jewish Community Centre for London engaged over 200 volunteers in a variety of projects including, the Royal Free Hospital Play room Makeover, Clear a Garden with Help the Aged, Stitch a Quilt and Teddies for a Women’s Refuge, Norwood Family Project at Kennedy Leigh, Packathon for World Jewish Relief for underprivileged communities in the Eastern Europe.
• Bnei AKiva: On Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Bnei Akiva launched an 8 month long project called ‘Just One Hour’
  The aim of this project is for 1000 people to sign up to do an extra hour a month. The project focuses on individuals doing an extra hour a month, communities taking on projects and bnei Akiva arranging 8 big projects (one a month) The project will attract people from the ages of 0 -90. This month includes the following:
  Monday 21st University students will be distributing food parcels to the homeless of London, Manchester and Leeds.
  Tuesday 22nd Year 12 will be visiting old age homes in London
  Wednesday 23rd Year 13 will also be visiting old age homes in London, Manchester and Leeds
  Thursday 24th Special textual e-learning will take place about chessed and Jewish responsibility
  Friday 25th Bnei Akiva Minyanim will daven in old age homes in London, Manchester and make Kiddush for them.
  Shabbat 26th Chavrai Bnei Akiva will be encouraged to visit sick people at home over Shabbat
  Sunday 27th Year 11 will be collecting clothes for World Jewish Relief and packaging them up and sending them as Chanukah presents to the needy in Russia
• RSY Netzer are carrying out a range of projects including:
  Blankets Appeal A group of young people decided to collect 1000 blankets to send to the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan, who were facing a Himalayan winter with no means of Shelter. We managed to raise over 1000 blankets and is an example of RSY-Netzer's commitment to responding to crises overseas that they feel are important for the Western world to help out.
  Table to Table Table to Table is an organisation in Israel that offers to pick up left over food from a restaurant or picnic lunch from any groups and distribute it to those who may need it. RSY-Netzer commits to being involved in Table to Table in all its long and short term Israel programmes.
  Manna Society Once a week a group of volunteers visit a Homeless Shelter run by the Manna Society.
  National Aids Trust We are working specifically with the National Aids Trust; wearing their virtual ribbon on our website and selling red ribbons to raise money and awareness.
  Tikkun Theme - Social Action Fund Our commitment to Tikkun Olam leads us to concentrate on the inter-relationship between learning and action. This year our Tikkun Theme is Homelessness. This is made a part of all our events. Our social action fund is linked to this theme and includes: Shelter; Tzedek; and the UJIA Extended School Day Project. Events through the year are held to raise money for this fund. Our membership fee involves a contribution to this fund.