North London mum bringing light of Chanukah to Israel’s kids - The Jewish Chronicle

A north London mother has launched The Chanukkah Gift Project and is hoping members of the community will donate 700 gift bags for Israeli children displaced by the atrocities of October 7.

For the project, which will also mark Mitzvah Day on Sunday, Katie (who asked the JC not to use her surname) is collecting both donations and gifts to be transported to Israel.

The Chanukkah Gift Project follows a successful initiative that Katie ran for eight years in Israel at Christmas, organising, in partnership with the founder of British group Mothers Make a Difference, 1,000 present boxes to be sent to refugees around Israel.

“I’ve always done gifts for non-Jewish groups because in Israel, I felt they were neglected. But after the atrocities of October 7, I felt a responsibility as a Jew to look out for other Jews. It doesn’t feel like anyone else will right now.

“This year I thought: ‘How can I help and do something as part of Mitzvah Day?’ I know it won’t heal the world, but hopefully it will help them at a time of such loss and devastation.”

Already three Jewish schools are involved as well as the RSY-Netzer youth movement, and Katie is hoping to get more people on board. Her aim is to create a community event where people can decorate the bags together.