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Date:  18 June 2007

Jewish Cares Brenner Community Centre gets knitting for WJR project

Thanks to Marcia Feldman, a volunteer coordinator at Jewish Care’s Brenner Community Centre, over 600 brightly coloured knitted items of clothing for babies and children have been sent to Eastern Europe over the past three years, organised in conjunction with World Jewish Relief’s humanitarian aid programme.

The knitters are still going strong and Mrs Feldman arranged a tea at the centre at Raine House in Stamford Hill on Sunday 17th June, to thank members and volunteers who have completed the latest consignment of blankets, scarves, jumpers and cardigans, bootees and toys.

Mrs Feldman explains: “It has been amazing. I got the idea when my son, Jonathan, returned from a WJR trip to the Ukraine and he said: ‘Mum – those children are so cold – why don’t you start knitting?’ So I went into the centre and casually asked if anyone would like to do some knitting to help the children and the idea just snowballed. I think it is fantastic that the two organisations are working together.”

Roz Bluestone, WJR’s overseas projects executive, presented a certificate “thanking all our friends at the Brenner Centre for your wonderful knitted garments and blankets and your tireless support.” Mrs Bluestone also read a letter from Artur Livshits, director of the Minsk Jewish community’s resource development centre. He said: “The situation is very difficult and our community greets each consignment with enthusiasm. It is a lifeline for Jewish families in Belarus.”

The last word went to Jonathan Feldman, a supporter of both charities, who told the ladies to “keep up the good work and carry on knitting.” Also present, Brenner Centre manager Lester Harris paid tribute to those concerned.

It is hoped that the project will be rolled out to Jewish Care’s connect@ centres and other resources.