Major Jewish charities will appeal for community support during Rosh Hashanah.
Jewish Care and Norwood target funds at this time of year and those generated are essential.
Jewish Care’s appeal is their largest appeal of the calendar year.
This years’ appeal focuses on the experience of a family whose call to the helpline made a huge difference to their lives.
Jan’s was one of the 15,000 enquiries staff and volunteers receive every year.
When she rang a year ago, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Jan to support her father Monty who is 96 whose dementia was becoming more serious.
“He needed constant attention and I realised I couldn’t do it all myself,” she recalled.
Help came from the Arts, Disability and Dementia Team.
Monty attends a Singing for Memory weekly session at Jewish Care’s Otto Schiff.
“Music has long been known for its beneficial therapeutic effect and has the power to unlock memories, give enjoyment and in many cases help a person living with dementia to connect to their past and access memories.” said Susan Dawson of the Music for Life group.
“Over Rosh Hashanah members of the community take time to think about the work Jewish Care does and generously support our work,” noted Ellisa Estrin, Jewish Care’s Director of Marketing, Communications and Customer Engagement.
“With the community’s support we will continue to touch the lives of 10,000 people each week through our helpline, community support and social work teams, centres for people living with dementia and community centres that receive little or no Government funding.”
Norwood, likewise, will be raising invaluable funds.
Their services give many families a new beginning and it’s boosted by funds after Rosh Hashanah.
“Norwood will be there whenever and however families need us,” said Ron Brown, Director of Services.
“We are the largest Jewish charity in the UK supporting vulnerable children and their families, children with special educational needs and people with learning disabilities and autism.
“And while we can’t change a diagnosis, we can change lives.”
Norwood’s services offer children and their families a wide variety of support that they can access any time they want.
The charity supports youngsters like six-year-old Francesca, who has autism, and her parents. Norwood’s Rainbow Group, a support group for parents of children with special educational needs and disability, is helping Francesca’s parents give her the best future possible.
“Our community is counting on us and Norwood refuses to let anyone down but we need support,” commented Ron.
“Our Children and Families Service relies entirely on the generosity of people. With help, we can give many more families a new beginning this Rosh Hashanah.”