Union of Jewish Students

SOCIAL ACTION SUNDAY

On Sunday 16th November, UJS Social Action Sunday saw student-led projects going on all around the country from Bournemouth to Edinburgh... in Cambridge the JSoc ran three projects, from Mitzvah Day Shopping to a concert to entertain seniors in the community. Also getting in the spirit of Mitzvah Day Shopping were Leeds and UCL JSocs, whilst Birmingham and LSE students were busy organising collections and packathons for World Jewish Relief. Liverpool JSoc got involved with projects run by the local Jewish community, as well as doing their own blood drive, whilst Oxford students braved the cold in a sponsored sleep-out for Oxford Night Shelter. Not to be outdone by other JSocs, Reading students visited senior members of the local Jewish community and in Exeter, students ran a Darfur awareness scheme. Bath JSoc postponed their project until 26 November, when they will be raising money for charity by selling smoked salmon bagels to hungry clubbers in the early hours of the morning!

Leeds -Student volunteers took part in SAS in Leeds, most of them in shifts outside the local Sainsbury's, asking customers to buy an extra item with their shopping and donate it to charity. The public's response was overwhelming, with over 3 carloads of food and toiletries for St George's Crypt, including 5 crates of baked beans!

Katie Newman, Fundraising officer for Leeds JSoc said,

"The support from both Jewish students and members of the public was incredible. Next year, we're planning to run Mitzvah Day shopping at a few supermarkets across Leeds so we can collect even more food for the homeless."

A team of students also went to the Ziff Community Centre to help with initiatives organised by the Leeds Jewish community, from redecorating rooms in local residents' houses to clearing up the garden around the centre to make it safe for children.

Oxford - JSoc took part in the Oxford Sleep-Out, an annual local community event to raise money for the homeless charities in Oxford. Nine JSoc members braved the cold and spent the night sleeping outside in a graveyard. Difficult as their ordeal was, one student commented that the experience was a powerful reminder of how lucky they are, and how much the homeless need our support, particularly during the cold winter months:
"It's 7am now and we're all heading home for food, hot showers and a comfortable bed: the homeless simply don't have that option, the only thing they face is yet another night on the streets."

Reading - JSoc members dropped in as a surprise visit to the Reading Hebrew Congregation's social club for seniors. A great afternoon was had by seniors and students alike as they ate, talked and played board games together. When the cards game out, the social club members laughed at the offer of poker and gave the students a lesson in how to play kaluki!

Jonathan Phillips, Chair of Reading JSoc said,

"The visit was a huge success and we all had such a good time that we're planning to make it a regular event."

UCL -JSoc members ran a successful Mitzvah Day shopping campaign outside Brent Cross Tesco. Once again, the JSoc members were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from the public, managing to fill 50 boxes with food and toiletries, which were then distributed to those in need by GIFT (Give it Forward Today, a Jewish charity).

Edinburgh - Another Mitzvah day shopping project, run by volunteers in Edinburgh city centre. They filled a car with food and toiletries for Stopover Edinburgh, a shelter for 16-21 year-olds.

Brighton - Went to Hyman Fine House in Brighton (old age home)