Leaders back funds drive for Covid jabs worldwide
COMMUNAL LEADERS are getting behind an appeal to fund the distribution of more than two billion Covid vaccine doses around the world by the end of the year.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis is among supporters of Unicef’s Give the World a Shot campaign — also called VaccinAid — which launched with Crowdfunder on Monday.
The humanitarian agency describes the undertaking — also backed by the NHS and the Archbishop of Canterbury — as the “biggest health and logistics project in history”.
Donations from the public will fund vaccinations through Covax, an initiative to supply vaccines to poorer countries.
“Everyone should have a fair and equal chance of being protected against Covid-19, no matter where they live,” Rabbi Mirvis said, encouraging people to donate. His office is expected to further promote the appeal over the coming weeks.
Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Charley Baginsky has also praised the “simple yet wonderful idea.
“As Liberal Jews, we try and use every opportunity to make the world a fairer and more just place for all. This simple yet wonderful idea of giving a small donation after receiving our own vaccination really will achieve that and help so many people who otherwise may have suffered.”
Liberal Judaism has also reported that
Oxford
Jewish Congregation member Tony Samuel initially “played a major role in putting the campaign together”. The retired advertising executive pushed the idea during meetings he set up with faith leaders and Unicef earlier this year, the movement said. Mr Samuel was inspired by the success of the UK’s vaccination roll-out. “We’re so lucky in the UK to have free vaccination through the NHS and I’ve seen first-hand the excitement of people when they come out of the centres,” he said.
“Our idea was that, in this moment of joy, there is a chance for each of us to give something back and play our own small part in helping Unicef get people vaccinated across the world.”
JEWISH LEARNING Exchange CEO Rabbi Benjy Morgan discussed all things Pesach with Bob Mills on the broadcaster’s talkRadio show on Sunday.
The pair discussed the relevance and symbolism of the festival in the context of the pandemic, the impact of the closure of places of worship on religious communities and their shared love of Shtisel and Rakusen’s matzah. The presenter revealed that sardines were his favourite matzah topping.
The JLE has adapted to the Covid era with offerings such as its “lunch and learn” programme (with a little help from Deliveroo) and the Rabbis Unscripted video series.