The Jewish community displayed its propensity for hospitality as over 200 homes played host to Friday night dinners with a difference.

Around 2,000 people attended parties throughout the UK last weekend, in aid of the inaugural Jewish Care One Big Friday Night.

The dinners, which are expected to raise over £20,000, involved people hosting meals for family and friends, in a bid to raise awareness of the social care charity. Guests being asked not to bring gifts, but instead to make donations to Jewish Care.

Simon Davies, who has worked for Jewish Care for five years attended a dinner with his parents, Brenda and Geoffrey, in Edgware. They raised £500.

Mr Davies, 33, said: “It was a wonderful event to have 30 people together for a Friday night dinner. We sang together and my sister did an amazing job in producing a traditional Friday night meal. We also had a quiz and used paper clips instead of writing.”

Simon Morris, chief executive of Jewish Care, said: “Our One Big Friday Night initiative involved all members of the community, from those aged three to 103, in an evening that celebrated community, family and being together.”