To avoid a clash between Mitzvah Day and the Ajex Parade, Belmont put on its Mitzvah Day programme on the 11th November. More than 100 people crowded the shul for a full programme. There was a scrumptious cream tea for Belmont’s older members, some of whom who are not always easily able to get out of their home. During the tea we were entertained by our local crooner Michael Swan.
There was a large collection of: -

· clothes for the United Synagogue asylum seeker drop-ins
· toys for Noah’s Ark Hospice
· books for the Langdon New Chapter’s projects

The Belmont knitters joined by their friends from Stanmore Baptist Church were busy making hats for babies in intensive care units, whist the young members were making Chanukah cards and gifts for the local old people’s home.

The synagogue welcomed guests Bob Blackman MP and local councilors and Stanmore Baptist Minister Sean and Claire Lambert and its Refuge coffee truck. Synagogue Chairman David Lerner said “Mitzvah Day at Belmont is a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship with local faith communities and engage the entire age range of Belmont. In recognition of Armistice Day, we were very proud to hear from our WW2 veteran member Norman Barnett and hear stories of parents and grandparents who had served in the British forces during both the First and Second World Wars. It was an outstanding success”.