Progressive Jewish communities across the country took part in this year’s 20th anniversary Mitzvah Day, marking it with powerful acts of social action and solidarity.
Volunteers joined neighbours from many faiths and backgrounds to stand with refugees, support families facing hardship, bring comfort to those who are isolated, care for children in tough circumstances, and tend to the shared spaces we all call home.
In total, more than 25,000 volunteers took part in Mitzvah Day across the UK with an estimated total of 40,000 globally. This year’s flagship project was the Big Soup Serve – reaching its goal of delivering 5,000 portions of soups for the homeless and vulnerable.
A flagship event took place at Alyth, where Mitzvah Day Founder Laura Marks CBE is a member. Alyth’s Rabbi Hannah Kingston, Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Josh Levy and Barnet Mayor Rabbi Danny Rich hosted an interfaith group including Bishop of Edmonton Rt Revd Dr Jeremiah Anderson and Muslim leaders Ahmereen Reza OBE and Fauzia Saeed. Together, they cooked for the synagogue’s refugee drop-in and homeless support projects.
Rabbi Josh said: “Mitzvah Day is a hugely important part of our annual Jewish calendar, giving Jews the opportunity to step into social action and social justice work and also creating connections between Jews and non-Jews, so we can stand side by side in trying to make the world a better place.”
Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky joined members for a Mitzvah Day project held at The Movement for Progressive Judaism’s Northern Chagigah event. They all took part in a foodbank collection organised by Ne’ve Shalom, the Hull Reform Synagogue.
Other communities involved included Glasgow Reform Synagogue, Manchester Reform Synagogue (Jackson’s Row), Menorah Synagogue, Newcastle Reform Synagogue, Nottingham Liberal Synagogue, Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community, Sheffield Reform Synagogue, Sinai Synagogue Leeds, Southport & District Reform Synagogue and York Liberal Jewish Community.
Rabbi Charley said: “Mitzvah Day gave everyone here at Northern Chagigah the chance to put our shared learning into direct action. It is a powerful reminder of what happens when we show up for each other.”
See below for a wonderful photo round-up of Mitzvah Day 2025 around our Progressive communities. If your photo is missing, please send it to SimonR@progressivejudaism.org.uk.
Mitzvah Day Founder Laura Marks, Bishop of Edmonton Rt Revd Dr Anderson Jeremiah, Rabbi Josh Levy, Rabbi Hannah Kingston, Sarah Sackman MP and Rabbi Danny Rich at the Alyth soup cook – picture by Yakir Zur
Rabbi Charley Baginsky joins the incredible multi-community foodbank collection at The Movement for Progressive Judaism’s Northern Chagigah – picture by Simon Marcus
Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue put on a fabulous week of events. The celebrations began with this lively Interfaith Cookalong, where participants from Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities baked sweet treats, learned challah braiding and shared warm conversations – picture by Yakir Zur
Southgate Progressive Synagogue held a full day celebration of Mitzvah Day, running activities to support Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, Karen Morris Memorial Trust and Enfield Foodbank – picture by Karen Zetter
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue Cheder children ran a series of activities, including making friendship bracelets for the families supported by the LJS Drop-In for Asylum Seeker Families – by Yakir Zur
Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu and Father Harry Lamb took part in a Big Soup Serve cook at Sha’arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue – picture by Karen Zetter
The children at Radlett Reform Synagogue’s Cheder made Chanukah Cards – being shown off here by their teachers – which will be given to the vulnerable children, families and people with learning disabilities being supported by Norwood
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Rabbi Andrew Goldstein took part in The Ark Synagogue’s scrub bashing and litter picking on Croxley Common Moor, now in its ninth year – picture by Victor Shack
Menorah Synagogue joined four other local shuls and 20 other faith and community groups in South Manchester for an interfaith and intrafaith tea at Bowdon Shul – picture by Tony Knox
More than 30 volunteers from Worcestershire Interfaith Forum – including members of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue – were joined by the Mayor and local MP as they baked cakes and biscuits for patients, visitors and staff at the Alexandra Hospital
No spoon was too big as Maidenhead Synagogue cooked over 150 servings of vegetarian chilli for the charity Share Wokingham, as part of a huge day of activities that also included card making for Save a Child’s Heart, knitting hats for the homeless and making bird feeders and bug hotels.
Newcastle Reform Synagogue supported the United Hebrew Congregation’s Mitzvah Day filling and wrapping shoe boxes filled with essentials for the charity Changing Lives. They will also be running a project this weekend.
The Liberal Synagogue Elstree Cheder children made sweet treat, including apple swirls, for those being supported by Borehamwood Foodbank – picture by Marcus James-Pond
Birmingham Progressive Synagogue members joined with Muslims, Christians, refugees and asylum seekers to offer winter care at the Interfaith Orchard in Calthorpe Park
Members of the East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue Cheder made Mitzvah Day cards for the community’s Friendship Club, while the adults volunteered at Haven House Children’s Hospice
Cheder children at North West Surrey Synagogue wrote Chanukah cards for those who may be lonely this festive season, while the whole community came together to collect food for Trussell food banks
The Wimbledon Synagogue opened its doors to 60 guests, combating loneliness and celebrating connection with a special afternoon tea
Lincolnshire Jewish Community teamed up with the TCFR Interfaith Centre and Central Methodist Church for a litter pick around the local area
Kingston Liberal Synagogue invited members of all faiths in the area to join their annual winter warmer clothing collection
A large multifaith crowd celebrated Mitzvah Day at Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue Cambridge with singing, dancing, open mic, a fashion show and a collection of clothing and food for a local shelter
Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue contributes to Mitzvah Day throughout the year as part of an interfaith group making regular deliveries to the Neonatal Unit at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital