Judaism

Grandma’s ‘channel’ swim for camp simcha

A north London grandmother has channelled her energy into fundraising for Camp Simcha by swimming the distance between England and France at her local pool.

Anna Churnin, 67, has swum the equivalent of the Channel Crossing at Copthall Leisure Centre in Mill Hill over the past four months.

Camp Simcha, which helps families with seriously ill children, has been supporting Anna’s granddaughter Chloe and her family since she underwent life-saving surgery shortly after her birth in December 2020.

Anna at Copthall

Chloe, who has Down’s Syndrome, had the surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) after doctors diagnosed a rare condition called congenital long segmented tracheal stenosis, which causes serious breathing difficulties.

Her traumatic start in life was made even tougher by restrictions imposed during the second Covid-19 lockdown.

Anna, who lives in Edgware and is a member of the United Synagogue there, said of son Neil and daughter-in-law Kate: “I don’t know how they would have done it without Camp Simcha’s support, especially in those early weeks.

“It was lockdown and we couldn’t see them to help. One was always at the hospital and the other was home with their son.”

Chloe’s father contacted Camp Simcha after learning of them from the hospital. Anna recalled: “He contacted them at eight the morning and by 10am Camp Simcha had swung into action.”

The family were taken aback by the “myriad” ways in which Camp Simcha has supported them, said Anna.

Camp Simcha provided transport between GOSH and the family home, hot meals, counselling and even ‘date nights’ to provide some respite for Kate, who works in early years education, and Neil, Chloe’s full-time carer.

Their son Alfie, four, has also benefited from art therapy and other activities and entertainment.

Though Chloe is still being monitored, she is thriving. “Her spirit and her determination is amazing,” said her proud Nana.

Anna, who previously worked in the special needs department at JFS, said she calculated that it would take 2,112 lengths to cover the distance between England and

Chloe Churnin Anna Churnin and Chloe

France.

She added: “I’m not a fast swimmer, but I’m steady.

“It’s been great for me, I’ve raised almost £2,300 and I’ve told a lot of people at the pool what I’m doing so I’ve publicised Camp Simcha - it’s been a win-win all round.”

Last year Anna raised around £2,000 for Camp Simcha with a coffee morning. So what’s next?

“I’ve got to think of something a bit different so I will wait for inspiration to strike!” she said.

To sponsor Anna visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anna-churnin

Langdon Member James, with his employer Warren

With your help this new year, together, we can continue to enable Livingness.

For the last 30 years, Langdon has been working together in partnership with families, support workers, volunteers, trustees and donors to empower independence for hundreds of young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism across the UK.

Please support our 36-hour crowdfunder campaign on Sunday 23rd to Monday 24th October when we can all come together to enable our Members to live their best lives and be their best true selves.

Donate and find out more at langdonuk.org/30together

SUPPLEMENT 33 If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that there is no place like home.

Our homes are our shelter from the outside world, our safe haven, and our source of comfort.

But imagine living in a home that is covered in mould, where every breath you take is poisonous. Being incapable of walking through your front door as your debilitating illness renders you unable to climb stairs. Being homeless due to a fire, with no money to fix this and nowhere else to go.

Unable to afford even the basic repairs, many find themselves living in appalling and often dangerous conditions with no viable alternatives.

JNF UK is helping those in desperate need by carrying out essential repairs and upgrades and in doing so changing lives, enabling disabled, old and poor residents to get back on their feet, giving them the confidence to move forward with dignity and hope.

This Rosh Hashanah, JNF UK is raising funds to continue supporting this life-changing work in deprived areas in the south of Israel.

You will be making an immediate impact helping to rebuild their lives and achieve long-term change. But without your help these deserving families and people cannot get the help they need.

This year Israel will commemorate its 75th birthday and whilst there are many celebrating this historic milestone, we dream of an Israel in which every citizen has the basic right to live safely and comfortably.

For over 120 years JNF UK has played an integral part in Israel’s development.

Your support of this year’s JNF UK’s Rosh Hashanah Appeal ensures that these life-changing projects and our commitment to help the poor, continues to improve life in the peripheries so that no one is left behind.

To donate to our Rosh Hashanah appeal, please visit www.jnf.co.uk/rh2022

ROSH HASHANAH

BUILDING HOPE CAMPAIGN

But imagine being homeless as a fire has damaged your home, you have no money to fix this and nowhere else to go. Being incapable of walking through your front door as your debilitating illness renders you unable to climb stairs. Or living in a home that is covered in mould, where every breath you take is poisonous. Unable to afford even the basic repairs, many find themselves living in appalling, often dangerous and life-threatening conditions, with no options. If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that there is no place like home. Our homes are our shelter from the outside world, our safe haven, and our source of comfort.

JNF UK, together with Tenufa Bakehila (Building Hope) help to carry out essential repairs and upgrades to the homes of the desperate and poor and in doing so change their lives. This Rosh Hashanah, JNF UK are raising funds to continue supporting this life-changing work in deprived areas in the south of Israel.

YOU DONATE Registered Charity Number: 225910

IMAGINE ... ...the fear of being separated due to a fire ...having to crawl to your front door ...every breath you take is poisonous Giving families the confidence to build a better life. BUILDING HOPE SCAN ME But without your help these deserving families and people cannot get the help they need. Your support of this year’s appeal ensures that JNK UK’s commitment to help the poor, continues to improve life in the peripheries so that no one is left behind. TO DONATE Read about Yosef, Moshe and Miriam’s inspiring stories

Change lives. Make a difference.

www.jnf.co.uk/rh2022 020 8732 6100

SUPPLEMENT 35 JWA wins £60,000 grant and joins pan-london healthy relationships and consent education programme

Jewish Women’s Aid has been awarded a four-year grant worth £60,000 through London Councils to act as the borough lead in Barnet and Brent for healthy relationships and consent education in London schools and youth settings. Leading UK charity Against Violence & Abuse (AVA) in partnership with the London Violence Against Women and Girls Consortium is overseeing a group of specialist organisations to support London schools to prevent sexual violence, reaching students, teachers and parents.

The ‘Healthy London Healthy Relationships’ programme launched online on Tuesday 20 September and will provide: • Free training on how to embed a whole school approach and digital safeguarding for educators and other professionals working with and supporting children and young people • Bespoke support and community outreach with schools, parents and youth settings • A prevention toolkit accessed via an online Hub for professionals working

BBYO Youth leaders training, 2022 with children and young people

Jewish Women’s Aid will be the specialist provider for mainstream Jewish secondary schools in London, as well as in mainstream schools where there is a significant Jewish population. As borough lead for Barnet, Brent, City of London and Richmond, we will also signpost incoming requests from schools to external organisations where needed.

JWA currently delivers educational sessions in schools and organisations, including: JFS, JCoSS, King Solomon, Hasmonean Boys, Hasmonean Girls, Queen Elizabeth Boys, Watford Grammar, UJIA, UJS, FZY, LJY, RSY, Habonim Dror and BBYO.

Speaking at the launch, our Schools Manager Ilana Hutchinson outlined JWA’s approach to prevention education, showcasing our brand new curriculum and saying, “We want to empower young people to make a difference within their peer groups and school communities, and inspire them to become drivers of positive change.”

CEO Naomi Dickson, said, “We are so privileged to have been selected by AVA and the London VAWG Consortium to be a delivery partner for the Healthy London Healthy Relationships programme. It’s an amazing recognition from beyond the Jewish community of the specialist prevention work we are doing in schools and youth settings, and we are really proud. We look forward to working closely with partners and continuing to support Jewish schools and youth organisations with high quality healthy relationships and consent.

Session content from participants

INDEPENDENCE. DIGNITY. CHOICE. “My diagnosis of MS was like a hammer blow but I am happier now living here than I’ve ever been. Especially in current times, there is nowhere else I would want to be.”

Neil, Jewish Blind & Disabled tenant

If you or anyone you know could benefit from living in a JBD apartment or to support us, visit www.jbd.org or call 020 8371 6611

Registered Charity No. 259480