The United Synagogue

Sir Bob Backs Book Offering 48 Charity Tips

PRESS COVERAGE

London, 21st Sept, 2006

SIR BOB BACKS BOOK OFFERING 48 CHARITY TIPS

Publication honours Benjamin Angel

By Devorah Richman

Live8 organiser Sir Bob Geldof has personally backed a new book published in memory of a young Jewish doctor who passed away just before the High Holy Days last year.

‘What Will You Do? 48 Things You Can Do To Make A Difference’ offers practical tips on how individuals can help make the world a brighter place for others, from helping the elderly learn how to send emails to giving children’s toys to hospitals.

A copy of the book, which is dedicated to Dr Benjamin Angel who died of cystic fibrosis last year, aged just 26, is expected to grace every chair in every United Synagogue this Rosh Hashanah.

The idea to have 48 tips comes from the 48 virtues listed in Ethics of the Fathers

Writing alongside the Chief Rabbi and Gordon Brown in the foreword, Geldof said: “There are many more ways than 48. But this is a great start. Everyone should read the book. Be different; make a difference.”

The book, produced by the London School of Jewish Studies, is based on the Chief Rabbis’s earlier publication, To Heal a Fractured World. Sir Jonathan said: “We need to give voice to the biblical message that serving God and our fellow human beings are inseparably linked.” He added: “Let the title of this wonderful book be a challenge and inspiration to us all: What will you do?”

MP Gordon Brown has also offered encouragement for the project. He said: "This book is yet another example of a great community initiative that will make a significant difference to people’s lives. We must nurture the talent, ability and caring of every individual to help change our society for good.”

Benjamin’s wife Louise, one of the founders of the Dr Benjamin Foundation which sponsored the printing of 25,000 copies of the book, told the Jewish News, Benjamin always believed that actions speak louder than words. This is a great book, because it’s about making a difference and new beginnings, which is everything Benjamin believed in.” She added: “We have paid for the books to be distributed to a number of synagogues and various Jewish schools around the country. The foundation has raised a quarter of a million pounds already, and we also hope to sponsor another five projects this upcoming year.”

Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited fatal genetic disease. Within the Jewish population, one in 22 people carry the gene. The Benjamin Angel Foundation supports the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and a number of other charitable projects within the Jewish community, in Israel and the medical field.

END

Published with permission of the Jewish News© - January 2007
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