Compassionate carers honoured

RECOGNISING THE efforts of its frontline staff during the pandemic, Jewish Care has made them blanket winners of its Topland business award.

Chief executive Daniel CarmelBrown lauded “the compassion and love they show those they care for each and every day”.

David Pollock, who chairs the Topland Group business committee, also thanked the “deserved winners” for their “dedication in looking after our community’s older generation”.

Head of care services Chipema Chitambala accepted the honour on behalf of the staff in memory of Mateo Aben, a long-time employee of its Rosetrees home in Friern Barnet, who died last year after contracting Covid-19.

Ms Chitambala said the past year had been extremely tough for Jewish Care staff.

As well as losing residents to the virus, “at one point maybe half of the staff were off sick with Covid. To make matters worse, losing Mateo was very, very difficult but I’m delighted this afternoon to be accepting this award on their behalf in memory of Mateo.”

More than 230 households tuned into the virtual version of the Topland lunch, traditionally one of the biggest events in the Jewish Care calendar.

The outstanding philanthropy award went to Suzanne Ackerman for her work in assisting new and disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

The programme also included a conversation between Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis and Tory peer Baroness Morrissey on equality in the workplace.

Baroness Morrissey said that during the pandemic, “we have seen the widening of inequalities in health, wealth, education and opportunities. We stand at a crossroads and there are many lessons to be learned about how to look out for each other, how we come out of this and build on the progress we have made in becoming closer to each other.”

The event raised £170,000 for Jewish Care services.

MORE THAN 4,000 people took part in online Purim activities organised by the United Synagogue and its youth arm Tribe, which were broadcast on the US’s TV channel and Facebook.

A dozen live Megillah readings catered to those unable to hear it at home. There were family and explanatory versions and two readings by women for women.

Other highlights included a Tribe Purim adventure with Captain Calamity, a musical event starring Eitan Freilich, cocktail making for young professionals and a magical offering from illusionist and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Josh Horus.

The US also delivered “Purim in a Box” to hundreds of people and 1,700 mishloach manot parcels to those in need. Around £3,550 was donated for confidential distribution to families it supports.

Chief US programming officer David Collins noted that Purim was traditionally a time of social interaction. “This year, with strict social distancing, we had to create a Purim programme through which our members and the wider community could fulfil the four mitzvot of Purim in a Covid-secure and engaging way. We have been blown away by the wonderful feedback we’ve received.

“Our programmes complemented the extraordinary work of our rabbinic teams and communities who worked so hard to provide their members with a meaningful Purim in the most difficult of circumstances.

“We pray that next Purim we will be able to come together again and celebrate as a community,” Mr Collins added. “But we must incorporate some of the ideas we have learnt during the pandemic to ensure we can maximise engagement across the community.”

We’ve been blown away by the wonderful feedback we’ve received’