Jewish community leaders ‘going extra mile’ to feed local children in run-up to Rosh Hashanah

Hackney’s independent faith school are not currently part of City Hall’s free meals scheme. Photograph: Chesire CC / Flickr

Community leaders are gearing up to provide food and meals to 5,000 children ahead of a key religious festival to ensure no-one goes hungry.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown on 15 September and ends at nightfall on 17 September, and thousands of Hackney residents will be celebrating.

It is a time of reflection which sees people ask for forgiveness and look ahead to the coming year.

The Jewish Community Council’s (JCC) Feed Me Programme will be distributing meals, vouchers and food to families in Hackney.

The donations are a response to the cost-of-living crisis as more and more families struggle to cope.

An estimated 40 per cent of Hackney’s children are living in poverty.

Rabbi Levi Schapiro, CEO of JCC, said: “The cost-of-living crisis means for many families in the community they will find it hard to celebrate the New Year without the minimum basics.

“The average family size in our orthodox Jewish community is around eight people, so at times like this we have an obligation to go the extra mile and ensure every child in our community and beyond receives adequate food support.”

He added: “How can you celebrate Jewish New Year if you do not have any bread and butter on your table? How can you celebrate meaningfully?

“I can’t let that happen. We want to put a smile on their faces at the holiest time for the community.”

Food distribution will get underway from 12 September.

Rabbi Schapiro added: “Knowing there are children going hungry is unacceptable and we are committed to do everything it takes to ensure children are fed properly.

“All we need to know is the number of people so we can provide enough food.”

He said: “We look after plenty of non-Jewish families. We give them food and vouchers and deliver food to their door.”

He also welcomed donations from the community.

People can contact admin@jcc-nl.org for help or to make donations.

It comes as the JCC, Interfaith Foundation and others lobby for primary school children from Hackney’s independent faith schools to be included in the Mayor of London’s free school meals scheme.

Rabbi Schapiro said he has children phoning him for food.

Hackney Council has also been speaking to City Hall about provision for the estimated 8,000 children affected.

Non-maintained schools are not included in the scheme because many are fee-paying, although community leaders said orthodox Charedi schools waive the fee for those unable to afford it.