Returning from Siach, I am filled with pride to be part of the UK Jewish community, but perhaps even more proud to now consider myself part of the revitalised European Jewish community.
Many of the community's most innovative social action projects have begun in a small office in West Hampstead. J-Hub, supported by the Pears Foundation, provides space, training and time to help people grow their new charities and companies. Current residents include human rights charity Rene Cassin and the UK Friends of the Abraham Fund Initiative.
Located at the side of an office block and with no signage, the Boys' Clubhouse in Hendon is barely noticeable. "Most people haven't heard of us," says programme director Ari Leaman. "But then good for them."
If British Jews can wave Union Jacks at the royal wedding, Mike Prashker believes that same kind of national unity can be displayed in Israel.
Mr Prashker is the founder of Israeli charity Merchavim, working towards cohesion in Israeli society, which he describes as "the next great Jewish Zionist challenge".
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Japan's government insisted that a large influx of NGOs and charitable help was not needed. Disaster relief was being led by the government and Japanese Red Cross.
Joey Kolirin, 26, is an adrenaline junkie when it comes to raising money. This weekend he will be skydiving with four others for the Jewish Volunteer Network
Barack Obama has consistently attributed his political success to his experience on the streets of Chicago as a community organiser, training church leaders, youth groups and activists to use their combined influence to affect political change.
Two years ago major Jewish communal organisations vowed to do more for fairtrade. The result was a book, The Jewish Guide to Fairtrade, published by the Board of Deputies, along with other Jewish charities. But is fairtrade still on the community agenda as we enter Fairtrade Fortnight 2011?
Every year, Britons throw away 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink. Supermarkets and bakeries bin food that is safe to eat, barmitzvah caterers give their staff leftovers and dispense with the remaining buffet items and busy mums take the "two for one" deal and end up binning the "free" product.
Moishe House co-founder Rachel Rose Reid is campaigning against the closure of libraries.
Why did you choose this cause?
Total closure is a short-sighted move. The council is willing to close six libraries in my borough, but no future local authority is likely to open six brand new libraries in the future, regardless of the economic climate. My family arrived here a hundred years ago and were undoubtedly amongst the beneficiaries of this system. I view it as my responsibility to defend them for the future.
