It is that time of year when we appeal to the generosity of our members on behalf of those in need. Giving tzedakah (charity) is a core component of these Days of Awe. As ever, the worthy causes listed below have been carefully selected by your Board for our 5784/2023 appeal. Times are challenging for charitable institutions who are ever reliant on voluntary support. Recognising the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic, we have decided to focus this year’s appeal on causes related to welfare.

1.    WLS SOCIAL CARE

The commitment to support our more vulnerable members goes right to the heart of what makes WLS such a special place. Sadly, we have seen a significant increase in each of our key areas of Social Care, including:

• Looking after older members, especially those unwell and lonely.
• Bereavement support.
• Caring for the carers.
• Mental health support, in particular a growing focus on younger members.

Like many communities, the post-Covid impact continues to be felt by our members. The costs of living have gone up, welfare services are overstretched, and demand for our support has increased dramatically – doubling over the past few years. The costly training of our volunteers remains critical, as does administrative assistance for our staff and supporters. Your generosity will enable us to continue providing a high-level of care for all the members of our community.

2.    JAMI JOINT INITIATIVE WITH WLS

Many of us will be familiar with JAMI, the premier mental health charity for the Jewish Community. At a time when so many people are experiencing episodes of poor mental health, JAMI provides them with specialist support alongside education. 

Your support will enable us to launch a new partnership with JAMI, the Wellbeing@W1 Café.  Hosted weekly at WLS, this will enable us to support our members and others to find mutual support, with qualified professionals present. Your generosity will also enable JAMI to roll out mental health specialist training for our staff, religion school families and volunteers. 

3.    NOAH’S ARK CHILDREN’S HOSPICE 

For our next cause we have chosen a remarkable hospice facility, providing care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions. At any time, Noah’s Ark, based in Barnet, supports more than 350 families living across Central London, North London and Hertfordshire. They are renowned for the ways that they look after the children and their loved ones through specialist play, multi-disciplinary therapies, outstanding care and bespoke nursing, not least when they provide end-of-life care, and post bereavement support. In the past, Noah’s Ark has been there for our members at the very worst of times.

4.    PEACE OF MIND AT WLS 

Peace of Mind has become one of the many ways in which we can directly support Israel. The bulk of our annual donation funds METIV at the Herzog Hospital Jerusalem, to provide a nine month programme of therapy to an entire Unit of IDF veterans, as they struggle to return to civilian life after traumatic experiences. The remainder of this donation funds our annual project in the UK for this same unit. It enables a remarkable week of direct support for a group of veterans whom we bring over to London. Our 2024 cohort will be the seventh group of veterans that we host in congregants’ homes. During an intensive week of group therapy, the veterans will receive psychological support as well as some social time to process. It is undoubtedly the case that these veterans return to Israel in a better frame of mind, not least because they have built a cohort of supportive colleagues. This outstanding and highly-effective programme, piloted at WLS many years ago, is now run across dozens of synagogues around the UK and beyond. 

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As you can see, we have selected a really worthy array of causes. Should you wish to specify one or more of the above areas for your donation, please do so, otherwise your generosity will be split equally between the four. As ever, please note that, unless you request that we do not do so, WLS will need to deduct 10% from donations to cover the costs of administering this appeal.

Now, more than ever before, we need your help. Please dig deep in your response, because your generosity will not only be immensely appreciated but will make a significant difference.  

Wishing you and yours a Shanah Tovah, a happy and healthy New Year. 

**Please specify if you would like your donation to go to a specific cause.**

We do advise all our donors that the synagogue will retain in its general overhead costs, 10% of each donation, to cover the expenses of administering, supporting and making effective the relevant project.