For many this may be hard to believe, but we are currently in training in readiness to embark on an all-day multi-sporting marathon across London on Sunday 18th September 2005 to raise money for the Congregation of Jacob (Kehillas Ya'akov) Synagogue Renovation Fund.

The Labours of Jacob will see us setting off from Kehillas Ya'akov in Stepney at the unearthly hour of 7am. The challenge will be to finish back there in exactly twelve hours time, having cycled the kabbalistically significant distance of 36km (in gematria 18 is equivalent to Chai - life - and so because there is two of us...) and completed an array of labours across London:

Running a full circuit of Victoria Park
Ice skating 20 circuits at Alexandra Palace
Swimming the circumference of the bathing pond on Hampstead Heath Completing a full-round of crazy golf at Broomfield Park Rollerblading around the Serpentine in Hyde park Rowing boats across the lake in Regents Park Climbing the 311 steps of the Monument to the Fire of London Bowling till we get a strike at Elephant & Castle superbowl Complete a round-the-clock darts in Aldgate All money raised will go towards the Congregation of Jacob Synagogue Renovation Fund, for vital repair work to help conserve what is the last East European folk-art synagogue in the country. The congregation has been serving the East End Jewish community now for over one hundred years. English Heritage describes us as "a most valuable and vulnerable relic of Anglo-Jewish history." We may be old, but with your help we can look to the future..! Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Congregation of Jacob Synagogue will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. Thanks, and may the labours begin..!