A day to do good deeds
EVERY Tuesday night in Port Melbourne, volunteers from Kehilat Nitzan Synagogue together with members of the Father Bob Maguire Foundation serve warm home-cooked meals to disadvantaged people in the area.
EVERY Tuesday night in Port Melbourne, volunteers from Kehilat Nitzan Synagogue together with members of the Father Bob Maguire Foundation serve warm home-cooked meals to disadvantaged people in the area.
Last week’s Weekly Food Van service was particularly remarkable as Mitzvah Day Australia used it as a platform for its 2015 launch.
With less than three months until the annual event, chairperson Judy Feiglin said this weekly initiative encapsulates the spirit of occasion.
The Weekly Food Van, said Feiglin, highlights the themes of Mitzvah Day – doing good deeds, forming bonds with the general communities, helping the needy and doing so with a smile.
“Mitzvahs should be happening all the time and this is an example of that,” Feiglin told The AJN.
“Every week Kehilat Nitzan serves warm food to disadvantaged people in the Port Melbourne area and even when its freezing cold, they come out and provide home cooked meals all prepared by members of the shul.”
Now in its fifth year, Mitzvah Day Australia is an offshoot of the international initiative that sees Jews unite to perform good deeds and help others.
Staple projects include giving blood, entertaining residents of aged care facilities, cleaning parks and working with the wider community to make a positive difference in the world.
Organisations in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland have already registered for this year’s event, but Feiglin has urged more students, families and members from all sectors of the community to get involved.
Member for Caulfield David Southwick, who is part the committee, expressed his excitement for the upcoming all-day event.
“Mitzvah Day is a truly special occasion on my calendar, a time where the whole community comes together to do good deeds and to support one another. Whether it’s helping cooking for those in need, being part of a working bee or donating blood, every deed is an important contribution,” he said.
“Over the past three years I have been happy to not just put my name behind the Mitzvah Day program, but also join the committee and participate on the day.”
Mitzvah Day is on Sunday November 15, 2015 across Australia.
To find out more or to get involved, visit www.mitzvahday.org.au.
ZOE KRON
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