The United Synagogue

Project Chesed

"The world stands on three things: Torah (Jewish learning), Avodah (service of God) and acts of Chesed (loving-kindness)"

Ethics of the Fathers 1:2

Project Chesed is a joint initiative of the United Synagogue Community Division and the London School of Jewish Studies, established to develop social action and charitable projects and implement them across the US community. Based upon the Jewish notion of 'Gemilut Chasidim' which is part of the fabric of the United Synagogue, we educate the Jewish values behind all our projects based on our firm belief that learning should lead to action.

Deeds of lovingkindness [gemilut chasidim], taught the Sages, are greater even than tzedakah. Tzedakah can be done only towards the poor; but lovingkindness can be directed towards the rich and poor alike. Tzedakah is done with money; chesed with time or money. Tzedakah is only for the living; chesed can be shown to the living or the dead.
(Babylonian Talmud, Sukkot, 49b)

Project Chesed has a range of initiatives which inspire our members to think about others, their communities, and the wider world around them, educate about the concept and meaning of 'Chesed' and 'Tikkun Olam', and engage our communities and members in practical Chesed projects - in turn making a tangible difference to other people's lives.

The United Synagogue has had a long standing commitment to meeting the welfare needs of its members and carrying out social action in order to contribute to the wider world around us. To date, we've provided thousands of honey cakes at Rosh Hashanah, food parcels at Pesach, and Mishloach Manot on Purim to people in need in our communities. We've also increased the number of blood donors from the Jewish community by 20%, sent hundreds of toys, pairs of spectacles and food items to communities in need around the world, and are acting on our commitment to buy ethically sourced goods and cut our carbon footprint. Please browse the links to the left of the page for more information.

We are always delighted to hear from communities and organisations who would like to be involved with our projects! If you would like to receive Project Chesed information and materials, would like to volunteer, or discuss running your own initiative, please just be in touch. At the very beginning it was God who created light, but in the end, it is the light we create in every act of goodness that we do that will make all the difference.

Click here to see the Project Chesed Photo Gallery!

Project Chesed Team:

Candice Woolfson - Project Chesed Director
cwoolfson@theus.org.uk

Dr Raphael Zarum - Chief Executive, London School of Jewish Studies
Rabbi Natan Levy - Rabbinic Expert, LSJS Jewish Responsibility Unit

Project Chesed is generously supported by the Dr Benjamin Angel Foundation, a private donor and the Pears Foundation. With additional support from ALL ABOARD charity shops and Bank Leumi. Project Chesed teaches the Jewish responsibility we have for our fellow human beings, encourages more acts of charity and kindness, and inspires our community to make a difference. Project Chesed works in loving memory of Brian Roden z"l and Dr Benjamin Angel z"l.

To visit the LSJS site please click here

To visit the Pears Foundation website please click here
Pears Foundation Website

To visit the ALL ABOARD charity shops website please click here

this week
shabbat times

Aug. 6th - 7th
27th Av
Begins: 20:26
Ends: 21:33
Sedra: Re'eh (Mevorachim Hachodesh)

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