For the High Holy Day Appeal at ELELS we raise money for two charities and for our Synagogue community. Funds raised are split equally beween the three causes.

Our two charities this year, Women's Aid and JAMI (Jewish Association for the Mentally Ill) were choices that acknowledge the extraordinary demands that have been placed on society by the global pandemic, with many trapped at home facing increased risk of harm as a result of domestic abuse or mental ill health. You can learn more about these causes below.

Women's Aid (https://www.womensaid.org.uk/) is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. They have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice for over 45 years. They empower survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of our work, working with and for women and children by listening to them and responding to their needs.

The video above highights the importance of the work carried out by Women's Aid under lockdown.

JAMI (https://jamiuk.org/) is the specialist provider of mental health services in the Jewish community . They understand that everyones experience of mental illness is different and provide practical and emotional support for everyone affected by a mental health problem, the person with the diagnosis, friend, relative or employer. Their services enable independence and build resilience and manage the symptoms of ill health, through community hubs and outreach, education and training and bespoke recovery support plans. They enable people to lead a meaningful life despite severe mental ill health. Their community education programme builds awareness, increases understanding and aims to put an end to stigma and discrimination.

A video about JAMI and their work can be viewed below.

East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (www.elels.org.uk) are a Liberal Synagogue community of nearly 600 members of all ages located across East (and North) London, Essex and the surrounding counties. During the past year we have expanded our range of activities from religious services to education classes, social events as well as our pastoral offer. We worked quickly to move these activities online during the pandemic, prioritising setting up a phone tree that enabled us to keep in contact with all of our members, helping them to receive food deliveries, medication and providing a sympathetic voice on the end of the phone. We will continue to work tirelessly to adapt and find creative solutions as the situation evolves. For example, we held our first Zoom B'nei Mitzvah ceremonies including a "blended" ceremony in August which was held online while close family gathered, socially distanced, in a hall and the Torah was read. We also held our inclusive Shabbat Shelanu service online in June, aimed at people with special educational needs.

We plan to build on our work in 5781, committing to further enhancing the support that we provide for our members. We couldn't do this without the wonderful involvement of our volunteers, but finances are also a factor and so your generous donations can make a real difference. Thank you, in advance and Shana tovah.