Jewish Care recently celebrated the incredible contribution made by some of the 3000 dedicated volunteers who support Jewish Care. Jewish Care’s new Chairman, Marcus Sperber, presented awards to 23 volunteers across the generations at the Betty and Aubrey Lynes Volunteer Awards. The event was compèred by TV and radio script-writer, Ivor Baddiel in the Wohl Synagogue at Jewish Care’s Betty and Asher Loftus Centre.
In what was the Jewish Care Chairman’s inaugural event, Marcus Sperber, said, “Jewish Care simply couldn’t do what we do without the committed volunteers who support our members, residents, clients, tenants and their relatives every day. We appreciate just how lucky Jewish Care and Jami are to have these incredible volunteers who give through their selflessness and the willingness to help others, without expecting anything in return. It is a testament to the values we hold dear – compassion, empathy, and the desire to improve the lives of those in need of support.”
Unsung Hero Award – Dave Richman
Dave is one of two recipients for Jami and Jewish Care. Dave supports members at Jami’s Finchley community hub, and as a befriending volunteer, he makes regular visits to a secure psychiatric unit. He has continued to visit one gentleman who was experiencing antisemitism, with no family and friends visiting him at the unit, who said, “Without Dave’s visits and interactions, I doubt I would still be here. Dave was and is my lifeline.”
Jami Northwest Area Coordinator, Andrew Barbarash and colleague, Tracey Davidson, say, “Dave is a genuine non-judgemental, compassionate man who goes above and beyond for the benefit of the individual.”
Dave also supports members and is one of the leads of the Jews with Views current affairs discussion group at Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre.
“I get so much satisfaction from volunteering,” says Dave, “at Jami’s Finchley hub and compeer befriending, you meet people who you build up relationships with, and who become your friends. The most rewarding part of the hospital visiting is when you meet a patient who eventually opens up after what can be months of very little interaction. Seeing a person recover from being at rock bottom is very heart warming.
“I am also privileged and inspired to hear a unique perspective in the views of the survivors at Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre, and feel I am fortunate to be taking part.”
Unsung Hero Award –Troy Tate
Troy volunteers at Jewish Care’s Sunridge Court care home and the residents adore him and his volunteering visits which include one to one time together, chatting, playing board games, especially Shesh Pesh, music sessions, quizzes, activities and more.
Young Volunteer Team – Evie Rosen and Meir Field
Evie, 13, and Meir, 15, support members at Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Community Centre to make the day run smoothly, and enable the members to have fun. Evie and Meir have been volunteering during school holidays for the two years. Meir is also a participant in the MIKE Youth Leadership training programme that Jewish Care runs in Sandringham, enabling young people to build skills and confidence. He says, ” I enjoy volunteering as I like helping people. It also helps with my own self-confidence and to speak more confidently with others.”
Meir’s mum, Emma, adds, “Seeing Meir go off to volunteer during his free time is a wonderful thing. It is teaching him life skills and giving him interpersonal experiences he gets to give back to the community and gains by learning from the members and the staff.”
Evie, who goes to Yavneh School, says, “I’m really proud and happy about winning an award and I love volunteering at Jewish Care and seeing the smile on people’s faces when I help out, and I ask how their day is.”
The Sonia Douek Volunteer of the Year Award – Pam Tomback
Presented by Jamie Field, Jewish Care’s Head of Community Services and Volunteering, in memory of the late, Sonia Douek, a deeply respected leader in the UK Jewish community, who dedicated many years of her life to Jewish Care. Michelle, Sonia’s daughter, Michelle Weiner, said, “In her three-year fight with cancer, she did not let hospital stays prevent her continuing with her work and creativity. This year’s winner, Pam, is an exceptional lady, who continues to manage events, sometimes from hospital, coordinating a large team and reaching those most isolated in the community, inspiring everyone around her with her dedication and hospitality.”
Nominated by Alison Smardina, the Regional Communities Programme Coordinator, who says, “A Volunteer Coordinator for nine years for Cockfosters Tea Parties, Pam, who has MS, is an exceptional volunteer who gives so much go the community, making sure all participants can attend, regardless of snow, rain or sunshine.”
Team of the Year Award – Roz Nelson and Deborah Woolf
Volunteers at Head Room, Jami’s social enterprise café team, Roz Nelson and Deborah Woolf from Head Room café. Head Room café’s, Daniel Neis and Gideon Levy, say, “Since 2016, when the café was founded, Roz and Deborah have been instrumental in nurturing the community from its humble beginnings to the thriving community it is today, transforming our community from a handful to hundreds of active participants in the community programme. Their inclusive approach has been key to creating a welcoming space for people facing significant isolation; for many, Head Room café is their primary social contact and has attracted a diverse group.”
Best Newcomer Award – joint winners – Andrew Simmons and Lily Sherling
Andrew volunteers at Jewish Care’s Kun Mor & George Kiss care home at The Betty and Asher Loftus Centre. Andrew, whose father-in-law is a resident at the home, has fully embraced Jewish Care’s DementiAbility ethos, running reading groups, supporting cookery, Namaste and Music for Life sessions.
JFS student, Lily, 18 has been volunteering at The Betty and Asher Loftus Centre, creating speech exercises and activities linked to residents’ interests (in one case, Manchester United Football Club), which have significantly improved their speech and language.
Distinctively Jewish Award – Mervyn Beth
Mervyn volunteers at Jewish Care’s Sandringham Campus. He has been volunteering for 11 years, leading Shabbat and Yom Tov services. Ilana Greenblatt, Jewish Care’s Jewish Culture and Faith Manager, says, “Mervyn ensures every resident has the opportunity to connect to their Jewish identity, inviting residents to read and participate in the service and creating a special uplifting atmosphere on Shabbat and Chagim, a true mensch, an integral part of our Jewish Care family.”
Youth Award – winner Freddie Spiller
Freddie, 17, has been volunteering for the last eighteen months and has made such an impact on the members of Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre. Every school holiday, he travels in by public transport from Billericay, which is over two hours each way, showing huge dedication.
Outstanding Fundraiser Award – Patsy Bloom
Patsy Bloom, co-chair of The Bridge Extravaganza Committee, is nominated by Ellisa Estrin, Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising & Marketing who Patsy has mentored. This award recognises Patsy’s contribution in mentoring Ellisa, in addition to Patsy’s amazing vision in ,conceiving the idea of The Bridge Extravaganza and founding the event over two decades ago. Now in it’s 28th year, thanks to the work of the Bridge Extravaganza Committee, it has raised over an incredible £2.4 million for Jewish Care, for Jewish Care’s community centres, dementia day centres and welfare buses.
Chief Executive’s Special Recognition Award – Jon Gershinson
This award was presented to Jon by Jewish Care CEO Daniel Carmel-Brown for his instrumental role in raising revenue from a property portfolio gifted to Jewish Care.
Awards for Contribution to Operational Services – Jane Rosenbaum, for working behind the scenes and making valuable improvements all the time to Jewish Care services, and Muriel Mizrahi who is an integral part of the Meals on Wheels team.
Innovation and Creative Project Award – joint winners are The Allotment Team at Piaf’s Garden at Jewish Care’s Sandringham, who share their knowledge and expertise with us all, ensuring that the produce that is planted is successfully, grown and harvested. Janice Field also receives this award, for founding and leading The Sandringham Singers Choir, fostering an inclusive environment where all choir member feel valued and respected and able to connect and support one another both musically and personally.
Couldn’t Do It Without You Award – Adam Selwyn for his appearances as volunteering as Chava the Heart, the lively Jewish Care mascott.
Five volunteers were recognised as volunteer patrons for the incredible work that they do.
Aviva Wilford, runs beautiful, uplifting Friday night and Shabbat services creating something so special to include all the residents, at Jewish Care’s Anita Dorfman House and Pears Court at Sandringham, volunteering for the past 15 years.
Shoshanah Hoffman, has volunteered for 17 years at the Memory Way Cafe and Elevenses café at Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Community Centre. She engages in conversation with each member and always goes above and beyond.
Sally Caplan always looks to do more and makes a huge contribution across Redbridge Jewish Community Centre, Supportive Communities tea parties, Vi & John Rubens House and.
Monique Cadji who does everything with a smile and enthusiasm, she supports members and other volunteers behind the scences and has volunteered at Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Community Centre, two days a week for over 30 years.
Mark Summerfield, Jami compeer befriending volunteer for 7 years, he has built strong relationships and important connections with those he supports.
Jo Selwyn, Jewish Care’s Manager of the Volunteering Department, added, “This is the highlight of our year, and it is fantastic to be able to celebrate the dedication and commitment of our amazing volunteers who give back to our community each day. We couldn’t do what we do as an organisation without them.”
To find out more about how you can volunteer for Jewish Care and Jami, contact us on 020 8922 2406 or volunteering@jcare.org or Sophie.chappell@jamiuk.org