Jewish Blind & Disabled were delighted to be joined by barrister, presenter, columnist and TV star Rob Rinder or Judge Rinder as he’s commonly known. Interviewed by podcaster Jonny Gould; Rob spoke about his infamous TV Show, his Holocaust education work and how Jewish Blind & Disabled has a special place in his heart.

He said: “Out of all of the charities I get to work with, this is the most unique and special one for me; it’s about family and Jewish Blind & Disabled is my mishpacha – a fine example of who we are as a community at its best”.

“Those who experience change in their lives deserve the greatest dignity we can give them as a community. Life can change overnight, in my dad’s case illness came and he was slowly presented by a reality that he needed the Jewish community and sanctuary and safety that Jewish Blind & Disabled offers. For us Jewish Blind & Disabled were and are a light in the darkness”.

The event, held at both JW3 and online, was the charities first large in-person fundraising event since the pandemic and the first for newly appointed Chair, Marc Gordon.

Speaking at the event, Marc said; “About 20 years ago I was invited by my first boss to attend a Jewish Blind & Disabled dinner and ever since then I have supported the charity. I have a soft spot for this charity; the only charity that enables people with physical disabilities and vision impairment from across our community to live independently, freely and safely in a place they can call home – their home. The majority of our tenants weren’t born with a disability but were faced with a diagnosis where their previous home was no longer suitable and they needed to find a new home and what we do goes way beyond just bricks and mortar”.

Marc also paid tribute to his predecessor John Joseph MBE, President Malcolm Ozin MBE and former Treasurer Stuart Simmons who between them have dedicated over 100 years of their time to build the charity into the organisation it is today.

Following the event, Chief Executive, Lisa Wimborne commented: “It was great to be able to engage in person with our supporters both long-standing and new. We are delighted to announce that to date we have raised over £95,000 and we are hoping over the coming days to exceed the £100,000 mark. What was also special about this event is that so many people who joined us both in person and online had never been to a Jewish Blind &Disabled event before or had any engagement with our charity. We have huge ambitions over the next few years, which will know are only achievable if we increase support from across the community. If this event is the start of that journey today we are feeling positive and confident about the journey ahead”.

Link to recording of event: https://www.jbd.org/live/

Background information about Jewish Blind & Disabled

For over 50 years, Jewish Blind & Disabled has been the only organisation in the Jewish community dedicated to enabling people in this position to maintain their much-prized independence. Our specialist developments of one and two-bedroom many of whom would have no other organisation to whom they could turn. And for those choosing to remain in their family home, our Independent

Living Advisory Service produces bespoke reports recommending the aids and adaptations that will enable this wish to be realised, and we even fund potentially life changing aids where these would otherwise not be affordable.

Jewish Blind & Disabled in numbers:

· Established 52 years ago by Cecil Rosen

· Today provides housing and suppo

rt to 360 people living across 7 developments

· Plans to build a further 30 new apartments following the acquisition of an eighth development. The new development located in Mill Hill East will help meet the growing needs of the community

Our tenants:

• The youngest tenant is 30 and our oldest tenant is 104 years old

• 15% of our tenants have impaired vision as their primary or secondary disability

• 90% of our tenants have general physical disabilities

• Primary disabilities of JBD tenants include MS, cancer, visual impairment, arthritis, Parkinson’s and general age-related physical disability

• 75% of tenants across our developments are in receipt of housing benefit. Housing benefit will only cover 50% of the cost of our 24/7 house managers support service. The remaining cost is met by the charity. We ensure that everyone who meets our criteria is able to live with us regardless of their financial situation. This is possible thanks to ongoing support we receive from across the community

• 25% of tenants in our developments are self-funders. They pay an affordable market rent level and the full cost of the 24/7 house management service provided by Jewish Bind & Disabled