Staggering sums

We tend to take for granted the sums raised at communal dinners. A million here, two million there. Or, as at this week's Jewish Care dinner, £5.1 million in one night.

But a moment's reflection should tell us how extraordinary this tradition of giving really is. That thought is confirmed by a report from New Philanthropy Capital, which shows that Jewish charities are - by a distance - the most generously funded of all, with an overall annual income of £1 billion. That is nearly double the £542 million for Muslim charities and over ten times the sum for Hindu and Sikh charities.

There is much wrong with our community. But there is much that is very right - such as this commitment to charitable giving.

There is always more to do, and more money to be raised to do it. But we can be proud.