Mitzvah Day good deeds

Ten thousand community members will be on charitable call on November 16 for the annual Mitzvah Day.

Founded in 2005 by Laura Marks, who had witnessed the success of a similar event in Los Angeles when she lived in America, it encourages participants to give their time rather than money and to help general, as well as Jewish causes. As organisers point out: "This is charity work for credit crunch times."

All projects are run under the auspices of Mitzvah Day partners and among the 120-plus involved this year are UJIA, JLGB, Bnei Akiva, Habonim-Dror and RSY-Netzer. Charities being supported include Jewish Care, the Manchester Fed, World Jewish Relief and the Jewish Council for Racial Equality. The venture is also part of international Jewish Social Action Month and is endorsed by religious and lay leaders.

There will be over 250 projects this year such as Bring Sunshine to Seniors, organised in conjunction with Jewish Care and welfare providers in the regions. The aim is for every home to be visited by volunteers of all ages on the day to befriend residents, record reminiscences and undertake maintenance tasks.