Our students showed remarkable enthusiasm to support Mitzvah Day by participating in a World Jewish Relief (WJR) project, Operation Winter Survival. With the help of JCoSS, WJR aim to send 10,000 warm hats, scarves and gloves to the Former Soviet Union in time for the freezing winter months ahead.  We were very pleased to welcome to the school Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, who visited JCoSS to lend a helping hand.  She said, “I’ve had great fun helping the pupils with their Mitzvah Day project at JCoSS.  They’ve really entered into the spirit of the event and put in a lot of effort to make it a success.”

Temperatures often drop to minus 20 degrees in places such as Ukraine, and many of the families that WJR assist struggle to afford even basic necessities such as food and clothing – never mind fuel and coal – which are essential for surviving the harsh conditions.  We have all been complaining how cold it is getting here in London, but it is nothing compared to the temperatures they have to endure in Eastern Europe.

Ruby Rose, a JCoSS student, described her day by saying “We came to school wearing our hats, scarves and gloves, but then we donated them for Mitzvah Day, so that people living in poverty around the world can keep warm this winter.  Being involved in this project has made me feel really happy because I know what I am doing will affect other people in a really positive way.”

One of our four golden rules at JCoSS is to be a ‘Mensch’.  A mensch is a good, considerate person, who looks out for others and is polite and respectful.   Supporting Mitzvah Day complements this rule very well and we are delighted that our students have shown such enthusiasm for the day.