UJIA Bar/Bat Mitzvah girls and boys raise money for their Ethiopian twins in Israel

Ten members of South Hampstead Synagogue's Ethiopian Bar/Bat Mitzvah Club "Shecoyach" gave up their Sunday to pack shopping bags in Marks and Spencer's in Temple Fortune on 22 May 2011. They did an excellent raising awareness about Ethiopian Jewry in Israel, as well as raising £976 towards helping the club's Ethiopian 'twins', Lov and Takala, integrate into Israeli society and allow them to take part in the UJIA programme.

Karen Goodkind a UJIA lay leader and chair of the Ethiopian Bar/Bat Mitzvah Programme said:

"UJIA's Ethiopian Bar/Bat Mitzvah Programme is creating a "Living Bridge" that connects Jews in the Diaspora with communities in the Galil, northern Israel. The twinning is a meaningful mitzvah for the UK children and their families as it enriches the lives of not just the Ethiopian children that are lucky enough to take part in the programme, but also their parents, families and the wider Ethiopian community.

"Whilst the Ethiopian twins learn about the Jews in the Diaspora, the UK twins are learning all about the Ethiopian culture and what it means for them to adapt to a Western culture. They learn that although there are huge social and cultural differences, they have a bond as Jews sharing the same ancient rite of passage that every Jewish boy or girl crosses, whatever their culture, and whatever their skin colour. This programme allows these children to stand side by side as one Jewish people."

This is just one of many UJIA programmes that promotes direct "people to people" links between young people in our community and the people of the Galil, as the basis for a long-term, mutually strengthening relationship.

Over 30 people replicated the same bag packing exercise in Glasgow raising nearly £1200!

Watch this space for details of upcoming fundraisers in the new year...