A marvellous Mitzvah Day
AUSTRALIA’S fifth annual Mitzvah Day was once again a huge success, with hundreds of people coming together on Sunday to carry out a variety of good deeds for the betterment of the local community and beyond.
AUSTRALIA’S fifth annual Mitzvah Day was once again a huge success, with hundreds of people coming together on Sunday to carry out a variety of good deeds for the betterment of the local community and beyond.
Approximately 80 projects across the country included choir performances for residents of aged care homes, the preparation and delivery of food for people in need, and packing gifts for children fleeing domestic violence. Many projects were collaborations between more than one organisation, with schools, shuls, youth movements and other communal organisations all getting in the spirit of the day.
At Etz Chayim Progressive Synagogue in Bentleigh, approximately 20 volunteers gathered to make chocolate spoons and greeting cards for inclusion in hampers for women who have escaped domestic violence. The project was run in collaboration with Impact for Women.
Organiser Beatrice Coleman told The AJN the edible gifts were “really gorgeous” and would be appreciated by women in refuges, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.
She added that Miztvah Day in general is a wonderful concept to bring the community together.
“You’re helping people; people from other walks of life who haven’t got what we’ve got,” Coleman said.
Mitzvah Day committee chair Judy Feiglin said the day was a huge success. In particular, she noted a highlight was seeing multiple generations of families working together, as well as people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
“I was just really thrilled with all the energy,” she said.
Feiglin also drew attention to Temple Beth Israel, who ran or took part in a total of seven projects on the day, both within and outside the Jewish community.
“They put in a tremendous effort in making things happen,” Feiglin enthused.
The Mitzvah Day spirit continued into the week, with Jewish day schools undertaking activities, including Mount Scopus College’s Fink Karp Ivany Campus kindergarten students, who made gifts and delivered them to BUPA Aged Care on Monday.
“That brought tears to my eyes. Each year there is something that will bring tears to my eyes. I get a lot of naches,” Feiglin said.
She thanked the entire Mitzvah Day Committee, making special mention of Steve Silver, without whom she said the day could not have been such a success.
PHOEBE ROTH
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