“There was never a choice. It was always Jewish Care”
For 13-year-old Evie Yershon, choosing a charity to support as part of her Bat Mitzvah project was never in question. Jewish Care has been part of her family’s life for generations, and when she decided to take on a 13-kilometre charity run, she knew exactly who she wanted to fundraise for.
Evie, a dedicated Arsenal fan, combined her love of sport with her commitment to Jewish Care by running at Emirates Stadium, raising an incredible £3,724 in the process.
Evie shares, “Jewish Care is a charity close to my heart.”
Her connection to the charity is deeply personal. Evie’s grandmother, Pam Hubert, was living at Jewish Care’s Rosetrees care home at The Betty and Asher Loftus Centre in Friern Barnet and sadly passed away last year. She was a devoted mother to her three daughters Sasha, Natalie and Sophie, and was a doting grandmother to Evie and Elsie. Recently, the family grew with the arrival of Natalie’s daughter, Mia, who is now six months old. Evie cherished visiting her Nana at Rosetrees, and she saw firsthand the care, compassion and dedication of the Jewish Care team.
She shares, “I used to visit her all the time.
“The love, care, dedication and support of the Jewish Care team was evident every time I went to see Nana. That’s why I wanted to raise money for Jewish Care.”
Evie’s mum, Sophie, stressed this sentiment, sharing how wonderful the staff were to the whole family during her mother’s time at Rosetrees:
“They always remembered us and made the effort to know each of us personally.”
Evie’s commitment to giving back and helping to ensure that others at Jewish Care receive the same kindness and care is admirable.
Her family’s ties to Jewish Care run even deeper. Evie’s grandfather, Keith Hubert, who used to attend the Memory Way Café with Pam for many years. At Jewish Care’s Memory Way Cafés, they enjoyed tea and cake whilst connecting and reminiscing at the stimulating groups with other members of the community who are living with dementia and their family carers. Keith still volunteers at the Memory Way Café at Jewish Care’s Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus, every other Monday.
Keith shares, “We were involved with Jewish Care long before my wife moved to Rosetrees. My mother-in-law was cared for at Jewish Care’s Kay Court and then moved to Jewish Care’s Princess Alexandra Home (now Anita Dorfman House care home at Sandringham) So, when Pam needed support, I wanted her to live in one of Jewish Care’s homes, just like her mother.”
When Evie told her grandfather about her fundraising plans, he was moved.
“I thought, wow, that’s lovely.”
Evie’s father, Russ Yershon, explains his connection to the charity went back a long way too, saying, “Redbridge was my community growing up.”
Russ was a part of Jewish Care’s local community in Redbridge and attended the Redbridge Jewish Youth and Community Centre, which later became part of Jewish Care.
For Evie, her challenge was not just about raising money, it was about honouring her grandmother’s memory. Characteristically calm, Evie put it simply:
“I love football but running 13 kilometres for my 13th birthday just made sense. And, as an Arsenal fan, running at Emirates Stadium was an amazing experience.”
Ellisa Estrin, Jewish Care Director of Fundraising & Marketing shares,
“It is incredible how Evie has managed to weave two of her passions together to honour her Nana. Evie’s efforts will help Jewish Care continue to provide essential care and support to older members of the community and we are so grateful to Evie for going the extra mile to raise funds for charity to mark her Bat Mitzvah in this meaningful and personal way.”
If you would like to find out more about taking part in a Challenge for Jewish Care call 020 8922 2834 or email events@jcare.org or visit jewishcare.org/get-involved/take-on-a-challenge