OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL MITZVAH DAY

1. Neder Barcelona

This year's Mitzvah Day by Neder, from Barcelona, Spain, soared to greater heights and exceeded previous years participation. It accomplished several goals including national intercommunity collaboration, social solidarity, commitment, and positive attitudes by all those involved – all while highlighting Jewish values.

2. National Council of Jewish Women Canada, Winnipeg Section

The National Council of Jewish Women Canada, Winnipeg Section, has grown Mitzvah Day in Winnipeg with 30 organisations and three religious traditions now taking part. Perhaps the best measure of success is in the way that links and connections have now grown between participants. The Winnipeg Section always enjoys learning about other charitable organisations, and this year decided to extend its Mitzvah Day project by sewing recycled leather and fur mitts for homeless people, into a regular sewing circle. Many of the organisations that they and other Jewish charities have worked with are Indigenous-run, and it gives the chance to learn about their initiatives addressing homelessness and poverty.

3. Mensch Mitzvah Day South Africa

Mensch is Mitzvah Day’s key partner in Southern Africa. Over four years, they have developed 63 Mitzvah Day volunteering projects building new and lasting connections between beneficiary partners and volunteer partners. The Mensch Mitzvah Day projects are projects which run year-long and continue far beyond Mitzvah Day itself.

4. Mitzvah Day Lazos

The Mitzvah Day Lazos initiative covers 12 countries and 23 cities in Latin America! This year’s Mitzvah Day saw dozens of leaders in their respective communities mobilise more than 1000 volunteers to carry out valuable actions for the environment as well as initiatives to help others in need.

5. Stratford National and Secondary School, Ireland

Activities at the school for Mitzvah Day included the pupils and staff collecting 11 black sacks of litter along the River Dodder and planting crocuses in memory of children who perished in the Holocaust. There were also fundraising activities – including a sponsored walk, football match, and raffle – for the charities Focus Ireland and Concern.