Community
Brighton responds to sea changes in daily life
Community organises 'unprecedented campaign' to help the isolated and quarantined
April 5, 2020 10:45
Community organises 'unprecedented campaign' to help the isolated and quarantined
April 5, 2020 10:45With Brighton and Hove’s shuls and community centre shut, local leaders have united to mobilise support for a Jewish population with many elderly members.
“We put in place mechanisms that will ensure that those who are self-isolating, or who will need to be quarantined, will have all the help necessary to get them through the next few difficult months,” said community consultant and Jewish Welfare Board chair Fiona Sharpe.
“We are offering shopping assistance, telephone support for those home alone and a Facebook group so that people can connect with one another, offer support or ask for help.
“This is an unprecedented campaign involving all the communal bodies and synagogues.
“You don’t need to be a member of a shul, or involved in the community. If you need our help — or can offer some time to help others — we’d be happy to hear from you.”
Brighton Chabad has held an online meeting to help people prepare for a more solitary Seder and its Rabbi Pesach Efune said more such virtual support gatherings were planned.
“In addition, we are putting together Seder in a box. Those who need items for the Seder are welcome to get in touch and we will deliver to them.
A leaflet from Sussex Jewish Representative Council has been circulated with contact details for those requiring help, as well as details of the new Facebook group, Brighton and Hove Jewish Community Support Network.
Ulpan classes have gone online and local Yiddish choir leader Polina Shepherd has initiated a daily “Sing With Me” session in Yiddish and Russian which has attracted participants from around the world.
At the Bloom Foundation — which is helping fund and co-ordinate the redevelopment of the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation site in Hove — trustee Marc Sugarman said BNJC (Brighton and Hove Jewish Community) events had been cancelled.
But some online talks would be organised, as well as advice on the BNJC website, www.bnjc.co.uk.
“We will do our best to back the excellent work the Sussex representative council has started in supporting the more vulnerable members of the community.
“For example, they have established a volunteer network for food provision and other basics and the response of the community has been amazing.
“We are also working hard to provide virtual events via our website to encourage people to engage in community life.”
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