Mitzvah Day trustees share their delight in making a difference

DECIDED TO get involved as a trustee of Mitzvah Day because, built on Jewish values that cross social, religious and racial boundaries, I can combine support of the Jewish community, while being a proponent of diversity and inclusion.

I love that Mitzvah Day makes social action accessible to anyone, regardless of background, age or resources, and does so among a diverse community of people coming together on one day. Tikkun olam, the theme for Mitzvah Day 2023, is not only a guiding tenet of Judaism, but can be shared with anyone wanting to help others and I am proud to be involved in working towards extending that value among our community and to our neighbours.

Lucy Maishlish, Mitzvah Day trustee

Mitzvah Day provides us with the day — every year — that my synagogue’s members happily agree to undertake some good for our local neighbourhood. The good deeds could be “green” (such as hedge planting), interfaith (working with local mosque and church on a cooking initiative) or personal (providing help to a local refuge).

For the synagogue, Mitzvah Day brings together strands of people who might not otherwise get involved but have some common skill that can be jointly harnessed (such as our knitters, gardeners, event-organisers). And by the end of that day, Jewish people are again recognised for their contribution to improving society.

Without the Mitzvah Day organisation behind us, we would not have the momentum to make it happen.

Nick Grant, Board of Deputies representative on the Mitzvah Day board

I am intrinsically wired and motivated to be of service to others, and dedicated most of my working life to Jewish education in Cape Town.

Being a trustee of Mitzvah Day gives me the brilliant opportunity to help spread the light of Jewish values among the many faiths internationally.

What a fantastic privilege it is to work with such a motivated team of trustees and professionals, dedicated to the mission of bringing light to the world.

David Ginsberg, Mitzvah Day trustee

When asked why I wanted to be a trustee for Mitzvah Day, it struck me as a bit of an ironic question.Once I had decided to in fact take on responsibilities of a trustee, Mitzvah Day was a no-brainer.

Mitzvah Day to me represents the future I believe we all strive for… A future that is driven by kindness, empathy, openness and respect of others and on a very personal level a future in which Jews are not strangers to other faith communities but friends, drivers and leaders of social action.

Mitzvah Day provides the foundation for this future by working together for causes that go beyond but include the personal to the greater good. So the question is: “Why wouldn’t I want to be a trustee of Mitzvah Day?”

Judy Falb-Mizrahi, Mitzvah Day trustee

To me, Mitzvah Day is about showcasing some of the best qualities of the Jewish community: it’s about “getting things done”, working together and making a positive difference to help others. Mitzvah Day is about each one of us coming together, trying to make a difference. Whether that’s by helping to cook record amounts of chicken soup for homeless people, tackling period poverty or organising donations for refugees.

For me, being a trustee is about helping to communicate why Mitzvah Day is so important. Sometimes people think that they alone can’t make a difference, or they worry that they don’t have enough time to commit to volunteering. Mitzvah Day tackles these barriers by bringing people together and connecting them with projects that suit their schedule. It means anyone can take part, no matter who they are or how much time they can commit to. It brings people together from all faiths and none and shows what impact can be had if we all do something to help out.

Lee Davis, Mitzvah Day trustee

Being a trustee of Mitzvah Day is a mitzvah! The great thing about Mitzvah Day is that anyone can not only take part but they can do whatever they are passionate about; the environment, poverty, homelessness, asylum, older people or just about any other cause that needs us to care and to engage. Mitzvah Day is a day of celebration of social action — we roll up our sleeves, we meet our neighbours and we get stuck into the challenges around us — with the added bonus of meeting new people and communities as we make a difference.

Any trusteeship is a responsibility — but I’m truly blessed to be part of a small professional group and our army of Mitzvah Day volunteers. It’s endlessly satisfying to know that through graft, creativity, professionalism and laughter, we make a tangible difference locally, nationally and internationally.

Laura Marks OBE, Mitzvah Day chair and founder

I am fortunate to have recently joined Mitzvah Day as a trustee and to be a part of a truly incredible charity that brings people together from all faiths and it’s wonderful to see so many people get involved from different communities and unite in social action. Being part of Mitzvah Day I am able to contribute to something that really makes a difference, and the number and range of projects undertaken each year means the impact is wide reaching.

It shows what impact can be had if we all do something to help out