Three dozen Woodford Forest Synagogue members spent the holiday season helping out at Whipps Cross Hospital in east London in an initiative organised by congregant and Whipps Cross volunteer co-ordinator Belinda Taylor. The volunteers chatted to patients and undertook certain duties normally performed by staff who were taking time off.

In a related activity, Woodford Forest rebbetzen Blima Wollenberg organised a baking session for children from the community to make cookies for local emergency service personnel working over the festive season.

The Wollenberg, Sacks, Crivon and Marcovitch families visited police, fire and ambulance stations to distribute gift packages as a thank-you to employees for their dedication throughout the year. 

Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg was delighted at the support for the projects. “Showing appreciation to others is an important Jewish value. And spending the Bank Holiday volunteering and delivering gifts to those on duty  shows a recognition on behalf of our community for the work they do for us.”