From a fete to a high flyer! Community news: 3-10 July
Here’s this week’s community news roundup. Got a story to share? Email your news and photos to community@thejngroup.com
- A fete accomplished!
Moriah pupils enjoyed funfair rides and zumba at this year’s summer fete, which raised £3,000. On the day, the school bid farewell to its deputy headteacher Barbara Mazliah and interim headteacher Judy Lethbridge, while also welcoming new headteacher Ruth Gafson. Organiser Kate Leach said: “It was a great success. Not only did we raise much-needed funds for our children, but the whole community had a great time.”
- Gil shares food tips with HSC
Israeli celebrity chef and food critic, Gil Hovav, visited Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre to meet members and teach them some of his culinary tips. His demonstration of Israeli favourite salad tabbouleh was followed by an Israeli brunch with centre members, staff, representatives from the Israeli Embassy and volunteers. Sharon Buenos from the Israeli Embassy, who organised the event, said: “We organised this visit to give Gil an opportunity to meet the members of the centre and share his experiences with them. We also know how important good food is at the HSC so it was a great opportunity for a special Israeli brunch with staff from the embassy and members of the centre.”
- Noah wins JNF iconic blue box
More than 1,800 primary school children across the country have taken part in JNF UK’s Little Blue Box Competition – designing their own version of the famous JNF Blue Box. Among the London-based schools visited were Akiva, Mathilda Marks-Kennedy, Morasha, Rosh Pinah, Sinai and Moriah Jewish Day School, whose pupil Noam Vaughan (pictured) won the competition and was awarded a certificate and a unique antique Blue Box for raising the most money at the school ceremony. Moriah’s executive headteacher Judy Lethbridge said: ‘’I’m really proud of Noam – he collected a huge amount of money. And I am proud of all the children of Moriah who participated in fundraising for the Early Childhood Centre in Yerucham”. Matan Toledano, CEO of JNF UK, said: “JNF’s Blue Box has been a feature of Jewish homes for 100 years and it is fantastic to see how the next generation has embraced the idea.”
- Norwood’s new service helps out
Children and families from the Orthodox and wider Jewish community in Hackney are already making excellent use of the recently launched health service at Norwood’s Somers Children and Family Centre. Launched last week by Diane Abbott MP and Tim Melville-Ross, Chairman of Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the Healthy Child Programme offers immunisations, child health development reviews and support to prevent obesity in young children, and is being provided in partnership with Homerton University Hospital and the NHS. One local mother said: “Could we please have more clinics like these. They are convenient, ‘heimishe’ and very relaxed.” Another praised the new service for its punctual appointments and convenient times, while a third added: “My other children could play happily in a safe environment while I took my baby to be immunised.”
- Jewish Care’s unsung heroes
Jewish Care paid tribute to its unsung heroes – the thousands of volunteers whose generous acts make the organisation so special – when it held its annual Volunteers’ Awards at the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus. Celebrating the achievements of more than 40 volunteers, while also praising the 3,000 Jewish Care volunteer community, the charity’s president Lord Levy told the audience: “Each of you, together with thousands of others, give so much to the organisation and the Jewish community in very many different ways. Your contributions, and those of your colleagues, help our staff team to connect with the community and ensure that those who use our services and take part in our activities live full and meaningful lives.”
- Moishe’s a real high flyer
Moishe Goldblatt, who is supported by Kisharon, enjoyed a 55-mile helicopter ride from London Elstree. Pilot James Watson let him sit in the co-pilot seat prior to take off, as well as during the 32-minute flight. Flying across London, taking in sights such as the Olympic Village, Canary Wharf, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, before turning back at Vauxhall Bridge, Moishe’s trip was a prize for being one of the top fundraisers in the charity’s Purim collection earlier this year. He said: “I loved it – and would like to do it again next year!”
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