Community News Roundup
All the latest community news stories from the past week!
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Night riders for Norrice Lea!
Thirteen cyclists took part in London Nightrider – a 100km cycle ride past iconic London landmarks – for Norrice Lea’s first fundraiser. Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue’s Rabbi Dov Kaplan saw them off, with all the money raised going to the shul’s two chosen charities, Kisharon and Beit Halochem. They set off after Shabbat on Saturday night and finished on Sunday morning.
Thanks for all the nosh, docs!
An Appeal hosted by Dr Jo and Dr Daniel Hochhauser in Golders Green raised more than £10,000 towards the cost of putting on weekly student Friday night dinners in central London throughout 2015-2016. Around 50 people attended, and gave generously, ensuring weekly dinners will begin in the autumn term. Suzy Richman of University Jewish Chaplaincy, said: “The appeal, which is supporting this student-led initiative means that chaplaincy and UJS can now help the students to put on first-rate weekly dinners and to help to ensure that there is a vibrant social hub, bringing together the dozen or so JSocs in the area. The students, Chaplaincy and UJS are indebted to the parents who have supported this appeal. Without the activism of parents, led by Dr Jo and Dr Daniel Hochhauser, this initiative would never have got off the ground.” The appeal is ongoing.
Rabbi to run two marathons
An Essex rabbi aims to raise more than £5,000 for his synagogue by completing not one, but two marathons in a single day, writes Avital Mendelsohn. Rabbi Rafi Goodwin of Chabad Lubavitch Centre N.E London & Essex, will run 52 miles in the Challenge Hub, which will see 100 runners complete the 52-mile course on 19 July in Kent. The 25-year-old expectant father says: “I ran the half marathon 10 years ago but since then I haven’t done much running. I play squash and other sports regularly, but training and running this will definitely be a challenge.” You can sponsor Rabbi Goodwin at http://uk.virginmoney giving.com/runrabbigoodwin
Kisharon hosts world tour
Professionals from Jewish community centres in New York, Eilat, and Ukraine learned about Kisharon’s work supporting people with learning disabilities, when they toured the charity’s north-west London sites during a visit arranged by the European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC). Starting at Kisharon headquarters and adult day centre in Hendon, the group of 12 women received a warm welcome from chief executive Dr Beverley Jacobson and fundraising director Richard Franklin before setting off for a tour of resources. They also visited the former Hanna Schwalbe home in Golders Green, where construction work is in progress to create seven state-of-the-art supported living flats, which will be ready for occupation later this summer.
(Credit John Rifkin)
Camp Simcha has a wild time
Animal adventures and exciting displays were part of a packed day of fun for Camp Simcha families on a trip to London Zoo. Around 170 people went on the outing organised by the charity, which supports families coping with serious childhood illness. The trip coincided with a special children’s day at the zoo, where the Camp Simcha youngsters were able to get up close to the animals. Camp Simcha chief executive, Neville Goldschneider, said: “As well as providing a range of daily practical and emotional support services to our families, we believe in the power of positive experiences and this is why we regularly arrange outings and trips, not only for the children who are seriously ill, but also their siblings and parents.”
Athletes are a hit at Olympic heats
Despite Sunday’s glorious weather, there was no time for ice-cream at the coast for Norwood’s 14-strong athletic squad. The team travelled to Eastbourne for the regional Special Olympic competition at Sussex Downs College, picking up 15 medals in everything from the standing long-jump to the shot-putt and 800 metres. The squad trains with Norwood Sports, which aims to give people with a learning disability the opportunity to participate and compete in sports. Andrea Ford, sports manager at Norwood, said: “We’re enormously proud of the squad’s achievements this weekend. Regional events like these are really important, as the times and scores are logged and monitored over the competition season, leading up to the national finals. There were a few exciting moments, including a photo-finish on the 50m sprint.”
Golfers tee off for homes
Nightingale Hammerson’s annual golf day raised more than £36,000, which will go towards the running of the two care homes. A total of 18 teams of four balls participated in the tournament, which took place at the prestigious Coombe Hill Golf Club in Richmond, Surrey. Seventy-two players, in teams of four, battled it out to win the tournament, which was won by the club’s captain Laurence Rosen with his team Wendy Rosen, Martin Rosen and John Bartman. A lunch and prize giving followed the match. Ruby Fernandes, head of fundraising at Nightingale Hammerson, said: “Our annual golf day is always a very popular event and we are delighted that this year it has been another sell out success. The support and generosity from the community is overwhelming and is so important to our residents.”
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