Radlett Jewish community support local food bank on Christmas Day
Volunteers hard at work
(Credit @Erin Waks)
By Erin Waks
On Christmas day this year, 40 Jewish volunteers from Radlett United Synagogue (RUS) woke up bright and early, albeit for slightly unconventional reasons. For many members of the congregation, the Christian holiday holds little religious significance.
However, there are others in need who do celebrate Christmas – or would if they had the funds. In response to growing need for food banks and homeless shelters, RUS held its 5th Annual Christmas Day Cookathon to feed 100 people in need.
This Jewish community, including children and the elderly, came together to prepare food for Borehamwood Food Bank, which is part of the Trussell Trust, an organisation that aims to combat poverty and hunger. The group made 230 portions of food including lasagne and apple crumble for the local food bank, which was then delivered by local volunteers.
It comes as the cost-of-living crisis has seen food prices soar, forcing families to make difficult choices this festive season. One and a half million UK households reported food security in July 2020, meaning they may not know where their next meal will come from, according to the Trussell Trust’s 2021 research. The Trust also reported an increase in the proportion of people aged 25 to 44 seeking support from food banks, growing from 54% in early 2020 to 62% in mid-2020.
Making lasagne for those in need
(Credit @Erin Waks)
Penny Beral, a representative from the Borehamwood food bank, said this year has seen their highest numbers yet - over 200 meals were distributed to those in need in the area in the week running up to Christmas, with up to 58 collected in one day.
Families with low-income are suffering more than those on benefits this year, Penny said, because they do not receive adequate government support. The Government has announced previous support measures, including their strategy to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Many parents are therefore prioritising feeding their children over themselves, she said, adding: “They want to feed their kids, they don’t necessarily want to feed themselves. So, they will eat bread. I think that is so wrong.”
Penny added the support of the Orthodox Jewish community is fantastic and much needed, and the congregation echoed this belief in the importance of supporting others.
Event coordinator Lisa Kramer said: “The significance is that we do it on this day, Christmas Day, because lots of us don’t celebrate Christmas.
“Even if you do celebrate Christmas, it’s nice to have an opportunity to do something for another community.”
She added the Cookathon is an important part of building links with the community.
“People want to get involved,” Lisa said, adding that the annual event allows members of the community to give back and help those in need.
During the Covid-19 pandemic saw volunteers cook food in their homes for the annual Cookathon, with food being distributed after. Lisa said it was great to see so many people getting involved for its first year back in-person. She coordinated the effort through word-of-mouth and via social media, encouraging an excellent turnout.
Event coordinators Lisa and Adam Kramer
(Credit @Erin Waks)
Local Radlett resident and volunteer Bella Koopman said: “The Cookathon was a really great example of a community coming together. As Jews, Christmas for us is slightly different than it is for perhaps a lot of others in the UK, so it felt nice to be doing something that felt in the 'Christmas spirit', whilst simultaneously bolstering our own community.”
Bella said the atmosphere had a real buzz - everyone was clearly excited to be doing something productive and helpful in the community.
