Once again Jewish communities up and down the land are again doing mitzvahs. A mitzvah is an act of human kindness and on this day Jewish members of the community do a good deed.

In Muswell Hill the local synagogue put on a number of special activities on the day (Sunday) to encourage people across the local community to think of others less fortunate than themselves.

Two years ago their ‘mitzvah’ was standing outside M & S and Sainabury’s and as people went in to do their shopping – asking them to buy one thing to donate on their way out. I went there to help – and people were only too happy to donate one item. Last year we were planting bulbs in a little park.

This year – for the first time – the Synagogue hosted a community inter faith tea party as well as at the same time having a massive wrapping session of Xmas gifts that have been donated by local people for children who are being supported by Barnardos in addition to other activities all over the place.

When I arrived it was an absolute hive of activity – and having helped (a very little) with the wrapping – I then went and talked to all the older members of the faith communities who were having a very nice tea with lots of cakes.

Congratulations to everyone who made it such a successful day. Events like this take a huge amount of coordination and a lot of work. It was a real ‘mitzvah’ to be able to join in.