For 72 unbroken years, Wizo collectors have knocked on the doors of Jewish households across the UK in early May to solicit donations for Jewish Women’s Week. It’s a key revenue earner for the charity’s welfare projects in Israel, generating around £200,000 annually.

But the lockdown has forced a rethink, given social distancing and the fact that many of the regular collectors are elderly (60 per cent of them are over 60).

Wizo UK chief executive Maureen Fisher further acknowledged that with “everybody under pressure, charity begins at home. And we are mindful of that.

“But with the state of things in Israel, we need the money more than ever.”

For example, the closure of its children’s centres because of the pandemic had created a care vacuum and it was essential to get hot meals to the young people they supported. The lockdown had also brought increased demand from victims of domestic abuse.

An emergency shelter has been opened this week as part of a campaign titled Safety Net to protect those who have recently left women’s shelters but are now facing “catastrophic conditions” — unemployment, lack of child care — which could force them to return to abusive partners.

In the past, the charity had been able to call on an army of 800 collectors, with 50 team captains.

Ms Fisher said that some collectors for JWW — the community’s only government approved door-to-door fundraiser — were continuing to operate by posting reminders through the letterboxes of regular contributors. “But we understand that recipients will probably not want to have donations collected, or wish to put a donation through the door of the collector.”

It has asked synagogues to include details of JWW in their mailouts to members and Wizo supporters also have the option of donating online.

Ms Fisher added that prior to Covid-19,“Wizo was exploring alternative ways to take this initiative forward and this crisis is certainly a steep learning curve.

“While many still feel that door-to-door is the only way, others appreciate the need for alternative approaches to bring JWW in line with contemporary lifestyle.”

During the crisis, the charity has regularly updated donors on the continuing need for its welfare work and many have responded generously.

However, “our first priority has been to keep in touch with members and we are planning more online activities, including a cookery class”.