Rafi’s not singing the blues as charity drive is revived
WHEN RAFI Sandford of Chigwell began a 15-month barmitzvah challenge last November to make 2,021 people smile and raise £2,021 for Camp Simcha, he could not have foreseen the spoiler to his plan.
The Hasmonean pupil had opted to earn those smiles through his singing and all was going swimmingly until March.
“I had sung at several residential care homes, done Chanukah concerts and performed at the inauguration of the new rabbi at Finchley Federation Synagogue,” Rafi told the JC.
But with the Covid crisis, all future performances were cancelled and Rafi wasn’t sure he could reach his target.
However, a fresh opportunity arose when the the United Synagogue launched its pre-Shabbat Friday night services on Facebook and YouTube, with a different shul hosting each week.
Rafi’s synagogue, Chigwell and Hainault, was offered a July date and he was asked to sing.
The service coincided with the US’s 150th anniversary and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and United Synagogue president Michael Goldstein were among the participants. People tuned in from around the globe.
“There were lots of messages from all over the UK and the world and we began to wonder if I might reach my target from this one night,” Rafi said. “When my dad logged on after Shabbat to check the viewing numbers, we couldn’t believe it.”
With his barmitzvah set for January, Rafi is well on the way to his fundraising goal and has virtual concerts arranged at welfare facilities including Schonfeld Square in Stamford Hill and Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre.
Explaining his chosen charity, Rafi said his primary school had supported Camp Simcha. “I know a lot about their work. I think what they do is lovely and I know they make sick children smile so it felt like that fitted really well into my challenge.
“I am hoping I will get more concerts for Chanukah so that I can raise the rest of the funds.”
I think what Camp Simcha does for sick children is lovely’