Key political and religious figures were among 40,000 volunteers all around the world hosting tea parties, making teddy bears, wrapping Christmas presents, cooking meals and collecting goods for refugees and the most vulnerable in society, as part of Mitzvah Day – the UK’s biggest faith-based day of social action.
Bringing together Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and those of all faiths, and none, Mitzvah Day saw volunteers – including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Communities Minister Lord Bourne, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Imam Qari Asim MBE, Bishop of Edmonton Robert Wickham and MPs from all political parties – giving their time, not their money, to make a difference to the community around them.
This year’s Mitzvah Day was especially focussed on building bridges and bringing people together who might otherwise stay apart, through joint social action projects to tackle the challenges of modern society. A ‘mitzvah’ is a good deed or an act of kindness - an integral part of Jewish life and teaching.
