Synagogue and mosque join forces to help Barnet's homeless (From Times Series)

Synagogue and mosque join forces to help Barnet's homeless on Mitzvah Day

12:09pm Monday 19th November 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

Dozens of volunteers from a synagogue and mosque joined forces to help Barnet’s homeless on Mitzvah Day.

Members of Hendon Reform Synagogue and Hendon Mosque stood outside Morrisons in Honeypot Lane, Queensbury, encouraging shoppers to make a donation to Homeless Action in Barnet and St Mungo’s as part of the good deeds day yesterday.

Meanwhile other volunteers got stuck into arts and craft activities at the synagogue in Danescroft Avenue, Hendon.

Children coloured and decorated 23 place mats for Norwood charity, wrapped shoe boxes filled with gifts for young people supported by Barnado’s and planted bulbs in flower pots for elderly people in the community.

Valerie Boyd-Hellner, director of education at Hendon Reform Synagogue, said: “The nice thing about Mitzvah Day is we’re not asking for money, but actually giving our time to others. In Judaism we believe in making the world a better place, and I think that’s exactly what Mitzvah Day is all about.”

A group of children also visited Rela Goldhill Lodge care home in Limes Avenue, Golders Green, where they sang songs from various musicals and chatted to residents.

Altogether the synagogue and mosque had more than 100 volunteers taking part in Mitzvah Day.