One of the UK’s biggest Reform synagogues teamed up with a London mosque to provide extra beds for the homeless during this week’s cold snap.
Volunteers at West London Synagogue, near Marble Arch, in central London, worked with counterparts from the nearby Al-Manaar mosque for the emergency effort.
Nic Schlagman, the head of social action and interfaith at West London Synagogue, said the area had one of the country’s highest concentration of rough sleepers.
Mr Schlagman co-ordinated efforts between the mosque and charity Crisis at Christmas to transport 100 beds and sets of sheets to Al-Manaar.
Shul volunteers also arranged for 100 meals to be delivered from Tinseltown, an American diner.
Mr Schlagman said: “We got everyone looked after, supervised and safe. It’s been a really fantastic piece of work between the synagogue and the mosque. It’s not token interfaith stuff; we genuinely are two places who are quick and motivated to get stuff done.”
The Al-Manaar mosque runs regular shelters as part of its Winter Night Shelter scheme, and also worked with West London Synagogue to support children affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
