ByJonathan Kalmus, Jonathan Kalmus
Packages for homeless people, Christmas presents and even reindeer food were among products of Mitzvah Day volunteers across the north.
Government offices for the Department for Communities and Local Government in Liverpool and Newcastle gave away lunches to help people in homeless shelters, along with Manchester law firm Kuit Steinart Levy.
Destitute asylum seekers in Manchester were donated food and toiletries by Cheshire Reform Synagogue, while UJIA offices in Glasgow made welcome gift baskets for asylum seekers in the city.
South Manchester's Altrincham Jewish Brownies saw youngsters wrap Christmas presents for disabled children across the region for the Children's Adventure Farm Trust. They also packaged "reindeer food" parcels to be sold in Christmas markets to raise money for St Ann's Hospice.
In Leeds, Muslims and Jews came together to bake challah at Sinai Reform for distribution by a local charity. Leeds Jewish student society held a multi-faith supermarket collect-a-thon along with members of the university's Christian, Islamic, Catholic, Christian Orthodox, Sikh, Hindu and Bahai societies. They asked shoppers at four city supermarkets to buy an extra item to donate to the needy.
A significant logistical feat saw all 130 Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary pupils entertain residents at north Manchester's Heathlands Jewish care home. Members of Manchester Reform organised a sports day for youngsters with disabilities at Brookvale Home in Prestwich.
Members of youth groups Habonim Dror, Ezra and Bnei Akiva manned all kosher food outlets to collect donated items for Jewish food charity Gift.