Woodford Forest United Synagogue has become the first shul in East London and Essex to offer a drop-in facility for asylum-seeker families.
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and Redbridge Deputy Mayor Councillor Taifur Rashid attended Sunday’s launch, held as part of Mitzvah Day.
Volunteers from a number of local synagogues sorted donated clothes, shoes, toiletries and children’s toys.They also served a hot lunch, distributed food vouchers and spent time befriending members of 30 asylum-seeker families.
The drop-in is part of the United Synagogue Chesed scheme through which acts of kindness are undertaken to help both Jews and the wider community. It will continue on a monthly basis.
