Charities in Action

At FRS we want to try and make a real and visible difference to a small number of charities by making a three year commitment.  We raise funds through a range of activities including our very popular annual supper quiz, an appeal to members at the High Holy Days and in the coming year we will also be having a summer fair. 

The chosen charities for 2010-2013 are:

Jewish Association for Mental Illness (JAMI)

JAMI was set up in 1989 by parents, relatives and friends of those with mental ill health, committed to providing culturally appropriate services of a high quality to those with severe and enduring mental health problems, their carers and families. 

JAMI is looking for support from FRS in:

• Joining the Befriending Scheme where demand almost always exceeds supply. Volunteers would be required to meet up with socially isolated individuals and may, for example, go for a coffee or attend an event.

• Encouraging FRS members to be involved in JAMI’s Friday night meals, provide work placements and assisting those who may wish to attend synagogue services.

• Encouraging FRS members to take advantage of Mental Health First Aid training.

Support and training is offered to all volunteers to ensure that JAMI and the volunteers get the most out of their experience.

Inclusive Play Opportunities Project (IPOP)

The Inclusive Play Opportunities Project (IPOP) has been operating in the London Borough of Barnet for 15 years. Their core work is to support disabled children and young people to access mainstream play and leisure activities.  IPOP’s key principle is that disabled children and young people should be able to access any play opportunity in their local area.  There are upwards of 1,600 children in Barnet with statements of special education needs – these children and families could all benefit from IPOP’s work – given the right funding.

FRS’s initial goals are to support the work of IPOP Music School and weekend projects for the coming three years.  IPOP works in partnership with the Finchley Youth Theatre to provide an inclusive music school for small groups of disabled children in different age groups on Saturdays during term time.  IPOP is also looking to work with members of the community who may be able to volunteer their time and skills to the charity. 

Keren B’Kavod 

Keren B'Kavod, meaning literally Dignity Fund, is the humanitarian aid project of the Reform Movement in Israel.  It is unique in that it helps people in all sectors of Israeli society, regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity, helping new immigrants and veteran Israelis as well as refugees and migrant workers’ children.

With the support of FRS, Keren B’Kavod will expand its programme to include cultural enrichment for families with the Culture Cards Programme, ‘feeding not just their bodies but their souls’.  The main goal of this is to expose underprivileged children and their families to cultural activities that will help their integration into modern Israeli life and broaden their imagination.

Movement for Reform Judaism / UJIA joint appeal

We also support the Movement for Reform Judaism / UJIA’s joint appeal which this year supported Tel Hai College and RSY-Netzer’s Israel Programmes.

Tel Hai College serves a wide range of Israelis, including Jews, Arabs, Druze, Christians and Bedouin communities. With a strong focus on young people with learning difficulties, Tel Hai is an agent of social and economic change in the Galil, and is part of UJIA’s initiative to transform communities and upgrade schools in this region.

RSY- Netzer’s Israel Tour and Shnat Gap Year programmes have become an essential part of a young person’s Jewish identity. That’s why RSY- Netzer, with the support and backing of UJIA Israel Experience, takes more than 170 young people to Israel each year.  We are committed to ensuring that all those that wish to take part in these life-changing experiences can do so as well as looking at ways to increase the numbers of participants from across our community.

FRS Tzedakah Fund

In addition to the specific chosen charities above, FRS knows we have an obligation to help charities when they ask or respond to disasters that occur in the world.  Therefore we will continue to support, but in a smaller way, a number of other charities who ask for our help during the year.