Eight leaders from different faiths joined forces via Zoom to cook for the vulnerable and launch the Every Mitzvah Matters volunteering scheme.

Designed as a means to maintain the good deeds promoted by Mitzvah Day during the pandemic, it will facilitate regular online social action projects for people of all faiths and none to help those in need.

For the cookery event, hosted by Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks, the leaders took part from their own kitchens, chatting about the dishes they were preparing, the significance of food in their religions and the beneficiaries of their culinary efforts.

In most cases, the food was delivered to nearby vulnerable or elderly people who are not able to get to the shops.

“The little of acts of kindness we are seeing every day are bringing our local communities together in a way I’ve never witnessed before,” observed Ms Marks, who made a ratatouille.

“Our aim is to encourage even more people to take part and show just how easy it is to be part of Britain’s new army of carers. Truly every mitzvah matters.”

Other participants included Rabbi Jeff Berger, Church of England national engagement co-ordinator Siriol Davies and Muslim representative Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal, who made samosas for the breaking of the daily fast of Ramadan.