It is notable — and entirely appropriate — that the two most widely admired creations of Anglo-Jewry in recent times are Mitzvah Day and Limmud. Both are extensions of Judaism itself.

Limmud has taken our love of learning and discussion and turned it into a global phenomenon, while Mitzvah Day has developed the concept of the good deed into a charity which has year-round impact, building on the foundation of a single annual Mitzvah Day.

Unlike Limmud, which is really an intra-communal event, Mitzvah Day looks outwards — both in many of the projects involved and in the sense that its meaning and purpose is so easily understood by anyone, whatever their religious beliefs.

The scale of Mitzvah Day, which started as a small local project in 2005, is huge. Every year some 40,000 people take time to help someone else.

But for all the focus on the projects undertaken on Mitzvah Day itself, it is a mistake to view it solely as a one-off event. Mitzvah Day is, rather, a way of thinking and a set of values — the Jewish way of thinking and Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Gemilut Chasadim (acts of kindness) and Tzedek (justice).

The idea of Mitzvah Day is something that should guide us throughout the year..and especially, of course, this Sunday!