JCC Mitzvah Day

Part of Mitzvah Day UK
15th November 2009

WHAT IS MITZVAH DAY?
Join the JCC on Mitzvah Day 2009.
The aim of Mitzvah Day is to reduce hardship and poverty, to help our environment, and to bring a little joy where it is sorely needed, all through volunteering – not by fundraising. It is a way for all of us to make our mark regardless of our affiliation, level of religious conviction, wealth, age, sex or nationality.

WHAT THE JCC IS DOING ON MITZVAH DAY
As a community organisation we believe it is important to have an impact on the local community in which we are located. This year the JCC Mitzvah Day will work with local partners close to the location of our planned new building.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
See which projects interest you.
All projects will take place between 2-5pm unless otherwise stated.

We are also looking for team leaders – if you would be willing to lead a project, please email hannah@jcclondon.org.uk

Project 1

Transforming a wasteland into a World Peace Garden
The World Peace Garden, Camden is transforming former wasteland.

Situated next to Hampstead Heath Railway Station, this charity aims to raise consciousness of the quality of peace within the community locally and abroad. JCC volunteers needed to strip the paint off the existing metal fence and repaint the railings as part of the regeneration project.

This activity is suitable for children aged 10 years and over

Project 2

Sunshine to Seniors

Opposite our building on the Finchley Road is Springrove Care Home. As the care home closest to our own future home, we are excited to be spending the afternoon with the Springrove residents, to bring sunshine to seniors. Join the JCC at Lymington Road Community Centre where we will be learning a set of songs to perform to the residents later on in the afternoon.

This is a family-friendly activity, suitable for children of all ages

Project 3

Guerrilla Gardeners

Fitzjohns Primary School has a small allotment in the playground, used by the parents and children to learn how to be self-sustainable - something becoming increasingly important if we are to protect our planet. Over the past year the garden has been out of bounds as a result of building work.

Join the JCC in giving the garden a makeover and turning it back into a useful teaching space for the local community.

Suitable for children aged 12 years and over

Project 4

Mitzvah Day Shopping

Join the JCC collecting goods outside Tesco on Belsize Road. We will be asking local shoppers to add an extra item or two to their baskets; these will then be distributed through the New North London drop-in to destitute asylum-seekers who make up one of the most needy groups living in the UK today. By collecting donated food, it helps to ensure that the drop-in can sustain itself financially, by not having to spend money on food for the clients that use its services.

Suitable for children aged 8 years and over

Project 5

One Million Feet to Copenhagen

Join the JCC in creating One Million Feet to Copenhagen. In the run-up to the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December, children from all over the world are being asked to paint their feet and take a photograph of them.

The pictures of the painted feet will be sent to the ministerial meetings in Copenhagen to show the world’s leaders that, all over the world, children care about what is happening to their planet.

This project is suitable for children of all ages

Project 6

Changing Rooms: The School

Last year we worked with Holy Trinity Primary School to help them makeover murals in their playground and on the stairs up to their library. The project was very successful, and this year they have asked us to continue the makeover process. The school is committed to encouraging children to enjoy reading, and wants to make the library as exciting as possible; it needs our help to do this. We’ll also continue our work outside and help repaint some sculptures.

This project is suitable for teenagers