Seder in a box is part of US initiative package
INITIATIVES RANGING from a Seder in a box to activities for children off school have been launched by the United Synagogue to enhance Jewish life while families are housebound.
The packaged Seder features a Seder plate, educational material and a threecourse meal with cutlery and crockery. Boxes can be ordered from the US with subsidies where appropriate.
“Given the sad necessity to cancel communal Sedarim this year, this is one of the closest things we can do to a communal Seder,” said Michelle Minsky, head of the US’s Chesed department.
Upcoming events for children prepared by Tribe, the US’s youth arm, include an online quiz, matzah baking via Facebook Live (participants will only need flour and water), a weekly e-newsletter with games and distance learning for the cheder age group.
Following the success of the inaugural US Kabbalat Shabbat Live — to which more than 8,000 people tuned in via Facebook Live, the organisation will run the activity weekly from a different community.This Friday’s service willl feature Mill Hill East Jewish Community’s Rabbi Bentzi Mann .
More than £20,000 has been raised in less than 24 hours for the US emergency Pesach appeal, supporting older, vulnerable and isolated members of communities in the lead up to the festival. This year, the US expects to distribute considerably more food parcels than ever before and each costs £50.
Meanwhile, US community volunteers are devoting countless hours to support members in need. Community care co-ordinators are making lists of those requiring support and creating rotas to check in on them by phone. Arrangements have been made with delis and caterers to help people stuck at home. Communities are also running befriending schemes, cooking for Pesach for isolated members and delivering shopping, running errands and posting letters.
The organisation is also operating
Kabbalat Shabbat Live
a coronavirus helpline, a central port of call for those requiring practical, spiritual or emotional support. More than 100 people have already used the service.
US communications director Richard Verber said: “Coronavirus has tragically taken many lives and disrupted countless others. We don’t know how long the crisis will be with us but we do know that the United Synagogue will be by our members’ sides every step of the way.
“The response to the crisis has been inspiring. Hundreds of people from across our communities have put their own needs second to help those who require more urgent support. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up.”