Pupils were also encouraged to give by the offer of a raffle ticket in exchange for each product donated. The prize was an Amazon voucher, “but some of the raffle winners donated their prize back to the project”, said Chidinma.
Wesley Dos Santos, 16, another Mitzvah Day project coordinator at the school, said that as they were donating some of the products to Gift, they had to check whether they were kosher or not and divide them up accordingly. “We used the website Is it kosher? UK. We really wanted to make sure that we got it right.”
Wesley, who is a wellbeing ambassador at the school, said: “I’m a Christian, and, growing up, I didn’t have a lot of contact with people from different faiths, but doing this project made me realise how good it is to have these shared experiences which promote kindness.”
Noelle Doona, assistant headteacher with a focus on community, told the JC: “It’s amazing for the school to win this award. We do a lot of social action, and our young people understand that we are stronger together.
“Through Mitzvah Day, our pupils have transformed diversity into a strength, forging lasting partnerships and building trust in our community during challenging times.”
Another school to win a prize from its Mitzvah Day endeavours was Kerem School, which was presented with the Youth Achievement award for its involvement in three charities.
(l-r) Kerem School academic deputy head teacher Annabel Rose, head of Jewish studies Linda Myer and headteacher Naomi Simon with their Mitzvah Day award (Photo: Yakir Zur)[Missing Credit]
Pupils at the primary school in Hampstead Garden Suburb collected and packed hygiene essentials for Sebby’s Corner, which supports families in need.
They also created handmade bookmarks with personalised messages for the residents of local Jewish care home Hammerson House and designed vibrant posters to brighten up the hallways of North London Hospice in north Finchley.
Headteacher Naomi Simon said afterwards: “Mitzvah Day is a core part of Kerem’s ethos, reinforcing the values of tzedakah and tikkun olam. This year, we organised a series of hands-on projects that encouraged pupils to give their time, rather than just donations, to support a range of charitable causes. The day was a resounding success, with a real sense of purpose and excitement filling the school...An assembly provided a chance for them to reflect on their contributions.”
Ms Simon added: “Winning the award for Outstanding Youth Achievement is a huge honour for Kerem School and a testament to the dedication and compassion of Kerem pupils, staff, and families.”
She said that attending the Mitzvah Day awards and hearing about the work of other organisations and faith groups had already got them thinking about next year’s Mitzvah Day activities and how they could “make [them] even more impactful”.
The awards ceremony took place at South Hampstead Synagogue and was hosted by Mitzvah Day chair Laura Marks, with an introduction from the shul’s rabbi, Eli Levin.
Guests included Bishop of Edmonton Reverend Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah, Mayor of Camden Cllr Samata Khatoon, director of Caritas Westminster Richard Harries, who took part in a panel discussion on how social action brings people of different faiths and backgrounds together, chaired by Camden councillor Rebecca Filer.
Rather than paying for tickets, attendees were asked to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the New Horizon Youth Centre in Camden, which supports young Londoners experiencing homelessness.
Marks said after the ceremony: “It has been a tough year for the Jewish community, and Mitzvah Day offered an opportunity to build some of the bridges that were difficult to maintain. We did this by going back to basics and giving back to local communities.”
She said that participation from faith communities at the awards ceremony had been “fantastic”, adding that the charities which were present “really reminded us why we do this”.
MITZVAH DAY AWARDS
Mitzvah Mensch Special Award: Ingrid Segal and Debbie Drapkin
Outstanding British Mitzvah Day: Southgate Progressive Synagogue
Outstanding International Mitzvah Day: National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Winnipeg Section
Outstanding Individual: Anoohya Anoohya, Spring Grove Care Home
Outstanding Interfaith Partnership: Hendon School and Worcestershire Interfaith Forum (joint winners)
Youth Achievement: Kerem Primary School
Stronger Together Award: The Zone with Jewish Care
Mitzvah Day Year-Round Award: Lincolnshire Hygiene Bank
Outstanding Project by a Business or Office: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) Law Firm
Charity Partners: Camp Simcha, Elim Pentecostal Church's Manna Project, The Jewish Family Centre, The Joely Bear Appeal, C4WS and Vaxi Taxi
