But it’s not just one day out of 365 when good-hearted volunteers put themselves out for their neighbours and those in hardship.
Their acts of kindness have earned them ‘Mitzvah’ awards at a ceremony in Hampstead.
It all started 20 years ago when founder Laura Marks had an idea for north London’s Jewish community but has now grown into a national movement.
Laura was one of the award judges last week at South Hampstead Synagogue, along with the vicar of St Mary’s Christ Church Hendon, Jewish Volunteering Network’s chief executive and Jewish Board of Deputies’ vice president.
The Bishop of Edmonton, Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah, joined the Mayor of Camden for a debate on how social action brings different faiths together.
An ‘Outstanding Youth Achievement’ prize went to Kerem Primary School in Hampstead Garden Suburb for supporting Sebby’s Corner children’s charity in High Barnet and the North London Hospice in Finchley.
“Doing Mitzvah Day instils profound kindness in our pupils,” Kerem’s Linda Meyer said. “It is a catalyst for year-round social action with compassion.”
Winning an ‘Outstanding Interfaith Partnership’ prize was Hendon School, with its majority of Muslim pupils whose staff are supported by Rabbi Michael Pollak teaching the children about the Jewish value of doing good for others.
The school’s Noelle Doona said: “Our pupils have built community trust in challenging times. Mitzvah Day ignited a spirit that overcomes challenges, with half the pupils facing hardships and having to claim free school meals.”
Hendon School was joint-winner with an Interfaith forum in Worcestershire where a team of 40 Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jain and Baha’i volunteers help out at their local hospital.
A ‘British Mitzvah Day’ prize went to Southgate Progressive Synagogue for its activities’ month doing 140 good deeds.
An ‘Outstanding Individual’ prize went to Anoohya Anoohya at Hampstead’s Spring Grove care home where she held an inter-generation day for the elderly and received a letter of thanks from the Prime Minister.
A ‘Stronger Together’ joint-award went to the United Synagogues organisation and the Jewish Care charity, for children from 11 Orthodox synagogues spending time at care homes in Friern Barnet.
The Jewish Family Centre in Temple Fortune was one of six charity partners recognised for partnerships with faith communities through Mitzvah Day.
Two women received ‘Mitzvah Mensch’ awards — the charity’s version of a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ prize.
They were Ingrid Segal at Northwood and Ruislip Synagogue, who gets people involved visiting care homes and supporting Afghan refugees, and Debbie Drapkin from Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, who brings the community on board for Mitzvah Day.
