Mitzvah Day award winners @ Yakir Zur Photography[Missing Credit]
Kerem Primary School marked its first Mitzvah Day participation in more than a decade by winning the Outstanding Youth Achievement prize for their collections and craft activities to support Sebby’s Corner, Hammerson House and the North London Hospice.
Kerem’s Linda Meyer said: “Doing Mitzvah Day again has served as the catalyst for a year-round commitment to social action, instilling in pupils the profound impact of kindness, and the importance of giving their time, effort and compassion.”
For the Outstanding Interfaith Partnership prize, judges found it impossible to choose between two projects, so they ended up selecting two joint winners.
A team of 40 Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jain and Baha’i volunteers from Worcestershire Interfaith Forum were recognised for 10 years of working together to support patients and staff at the local hospital.
They shared the honour with Hendon School. Situated in a Jewish area, the school, where the majority of pupils are Muslim, took the opportunity to teach the pupils about the Jewish value of doing good for others and how these values are shared by all faiths.
Hendon School’s Noelle Doona said: “Mitzvah Day ignited a spirit of interfaith collaboration that has transcended challenges, even as 50 per cent of the school’s students face economic hardships and claim free school meals. Through Mitzvah Day, our pupils have transformed diversity into a strength, forging lasting partnerships and building trust in our community in challenging times.”
The north-west London school’s project was supported by teacher Rabbi Michael Pollak.
Guests enjoy the reception at the Mitzvah Day awards @ Yakir Zur Photography[Missing Credit]
The Outstanding Individual prize went to Anoohya Anoohya of Spring Grove Care Home, where her dedication and meticulous planning created a wonderful intergenerational day for residents, which even received a letter of thanks from the Prime Minister.
The United Synagogue's Cross Community Zone, along with Jewish Care, won the Stronger Together Award, reflecting the theme for last year’s Mitzvah Day. Together, they created the opportunity for 120 Bnei Mitzvah-aged children from 11 Orthodox shuls to spend time with residents of three care homes at Jewish Care’s Betty and Asher Loftus Centre.
The Lincoln Hygiene Bank – an interfaith initiative launched in collaboration with Mitzvah Day in September 2022 – won the Year-Round Award for its work collecting and distributing personal hygiene and household cleaning products each week to those struggling financially.
Mitzvah Day award winners @ Yakir Zur Photography[Missing Credit]
A prize for Best Project by a Business or Office saw BCLP Law Firm honoured. Led by BCLP’s Jewish Network, Mitzvah Day brought together 50 colleagues from the company’s faith networks to support the charity Comfort Cases by donating and packing items for teenagers moving into foster care homes.
Outstanding International Mitzvah Day was won by the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada – Winnipeg Section, who spearheaded the participation of a record 24 Jewish and non-Jewish community organisations across the city, working together on charity projects.
Six charity partners – Camp Simcha, Elim Pentecostal Church's Manna Project, The Jewish Family Centre, The Joely Bear Appeal, C4WS and Vaxi Taxi – were presented with awards recognising the strong and enduring partnerships they have built with faith communities through Mitzvah Day.
Mitzvah Day award winners @ Yakir Zur Photography[Missing Credit]
The night ended emotionally by honouring two very special women with Mitzvah Mensch Awards – the charity’s version of a Lifetime Achievement prize.
Ingrid Segal has been leading the Mitzvah Day events and projects on behalf of Northwood and Ruislip Synagogue for many years, inspiring hundreds of members and interfaith friends to get involved in everything from visiting care homes to supporting refugees from Afghanistan.
Debbie Drapkin, a former projects and partnership manager for Mitzvah Day, left to work for Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, where she spearheaded the community’s involvement in Mitzvah Day, – developing worthwhile projects and building new relationships with friends from other faiths. The ceremony took place on the same day as her retirement.
Debbie said: “Receiving this award really means everything to me, particularly as today is the day I leave the working world and start my life in the volunteering world.”
The ceremony took place at South Hampstead United Synagogue and was hosted by Mitzvah Day Chair Laura Marks with an introduction from the shul’s Rabbi Eli Levin.
Rabbi Eli Levin speaking to Bishop of Edmonton Reverend Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah@ Yakir Zur Photography[Missing Credit]
Guests included Bishop of Edmonton Reverend Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah, Mayor of Camden Cllr Samata Khatoon, Director of Caritas Westminster Richard Harries and Cllr Rebecca Filer, who all took part in a panel discussion on how social action brings people of different faiths and backgrounds together.
Panel discussion (l-r ) Cllr Rebecca Filer, Mayor of Camden Cllr Samata Khatoon, Bishop of Edmonton Reverend Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah and director of Caritas Westminster Richard Harries @ Yakir Zur Photography)[Missing Credit]
Rather than paying for tickets, attendees were asked to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to New Horizon Youth Centre, which supports young Londoners experiencing homelessness.
To register to take part in this year’s 20th anniversary of Mitzvah Day, which will take place on and around Sunday November 23 2025, please click here
