In an early Mitzvah Day event, members of Hendon Reform Synagogue and the Hendon Mosque collected food and toiletries outside Morrisons supermarket in Queensbury in support of homeless charities.

Building on a relationship forged by the two communities last year, around 20 volunteers joined the collection shifts. By the day’s end, 30 large cartons had been filled, in addition to 18 collected at the mosque. Cash donations of £300 allowed additional goods to be purchased. One shopper gave £100 and a number remarked on how nice it was to see the Jewish and Muslim communities working together.

Hendon Mosque executive trustee Nayim Kadri said the two groups had “demonstrated again that interfaith activities are vital for strengthening mutual respect, understanding and co-operation, between different faith communities”.

Hendon Synagogue’s Rabbi Steven Katz, who was among the collectors, added: “In these difficult economic times, it was gratifying to see people giving so generously to a wonderful cause.”