Revelling in the run-up to Mitzvah Day
TWO WORDS that, before this year, had never come out of my mouth together were ‘fun’ and ‘run’.
During lockdown last year I began struggling, striving and sweating towards 5K, a goal which was momentarily achieved but then abandoned, leaving me first elated, then embarrassed.
But having been inspired by the annual Maccabi GB Community Fun Run, and the great work it does for the Jewish community’s charities and organisations, I decided to give the idea of a fun run (or in my case fun stroll) another go.
As Mitzvah Day is all about bringing people of different faiths together in social action, it made sense for my debut to come in the London Interfaith Fun Run.
I approached with considerable trepidation, but that soon passed as I was greeted by my Muslim co-runner Anna and Jessica, the Christian organiser. We were enthralled by drummers from Shumei, a spiritual organisation originating in Japan, and a Kingsbury based Hindu pipe band dressed in traditional Scottish kilts.
We chatted, laughed and plotted, sharing lockdown stories as we plodded the course — so excited to be together in the flesh and not on a screen. It made me look forward once more to this year’s Mitzvah Day, which takes place on Sunday, November 21, and will bring together people of all faiths and none.
We have all been through a challenging year, with the pandemic and lockdowns mixed in with the tensions generated by the conflict in Israel/ Palestine.
The excitement I am seeing around interfaith events, including our own Mitzvah Day launch, has reassured me that our neighbours, our friends from other faith groups and our local communities need and want to come back together.
This Mitzvah Day gives us that opportunity and we must take it with both hands and with a wide-open heart.