Elderly & Environment to Benefit from Mitzvah Good Deed Day

 

On Sunday 18th November 2012, Leicester’s Jewish community and St Philip’s Centre will took part in their third Mitzvah Day campaign.

This year’s Mitzvah or ‘good deed’, involves volunteers planting trees and socialising with the elderly at two residential homes. Mitzvah Day is an international day where the Jewish community works to provide support for good causes. In the past, Leicester’s Mitzvah Day volunteers have collected toiletries for victims of domestic violence and the homeless.

In 2010, they received a runner-up prize for the ‘Best Mitzvah Day’ in the UK. Mitzvah Day is part of the A Year of Service initiative which encourages faith-based charitable action in the spirit of service, as epitomised by HM the Queen’s sixty years of service to the Commonwealth. The tree planting will take place at Knighton Park and the University of Leicester’s Botanical Gardens. The projects for the elderly will take place at the Abbeyfield residential home on London Road and Arbor House in Evington which is run by Leicester City Council.

Ruth Neuberg from the League of Jewish Women said, “This year we are donating trees and planting bulbs for the residents of our city to enjoy. I hope both trees and bulbs flourish and provide pleasure for many years to come”.

Emmanuel Haven from the Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation added, “Each year Mitzvah Day gathers in momentum and our projects this year reflect our care for the elderly as well as the environment”. Riaz Ravat from St Philip’s Centre said, “Mitzvah Day reminds us about the significant contribution the Jewish community are making to communities and neighbourhoods around the world. Locally, the planting of trees will leave a legacy for many generations to acknowledge and the tea parties with the elderly will bring joy to some of the most disadvantaged in society. We are delighted to be supporting the Year of Service initiative through Mitzvah Day as it enables us to put the concept of ‘service’ at the heart of this project”.

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