Mitzvah Day is an international day of social action, led by the Jewish community. Now in its seventh year, Mitzvah Day takes place in over 20 countries, across 300 communities, and it continues to grow. Mitzvah Day was founded in 2006 by Laura Marks, who saw the concept in the United States and brought it [...]

Jonny Cline, founder of UK Toremet (UK Registered Charity No.1140972), explains how the new DONATE buttons, featured on the Jewish Charity Guide website, will work. For further information contact Jonny Cline at jonnyc@uktoremet.org.uk – www.ukToremet.org.uk At the end of the day, we just want to do the right thing, right? Right! …but how? We can [...]

Foreword Who could deny that the summer of 2012 was a momentous time for the UK?  Having celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with street parties and nationwide events, millions of people confirmed their affection for the Monarchy – and took time to talk to their neighbours!  The ‘feelgood factor’ was carried through to the Olympics, [...]

Click here for the Foreword Mergers and Acquisitions – Jewish charities that have merged with, or been amalgamated into, other organisations. A number of Jewish charities are well over 100 years old and in that time, their activities and services have changed in tune with the needs of their clients.  Homes and hospitals, soup kitchens [...]

Click here for the Foreword JEWISH TELEPHONE HELPLINES / ENQUIRY DESKS / SUPPORT GROUPS / GRANT MAKING TRUSTS In an age when most people have access to a telephone, the helpline has become an important addition to the range of services Jewish charities can offer the Community. Anonymous, confidential, safe and easily accessible, helplines provide [...]

Click here for the Foreword We Also Need… The editors of the Jewish Charity Guide are often approached for details of charities or organisations that accept ‘good as new’ clothing, furniture, bric-à-brac and other goods for sale through charity shops or to be distributed to the needy. Jewish museums and art galleries are also delighted [...]

Click here for the Foreword Harvey Bratt, solicitor and UJIA Director of Legacies and Planned Giving outlines how prudent tax planning can increase the value of bequests to Jewish charities. For further information, contact Harvey at Tel: 020 7424 6431 or harvey.bratt@ujia.org. None of us likes paying tax. So how galling to find that your [...]

Click here for the Foreword What Happens if You Die Intestate? The term ‘Bona Vacantia’ literally means ‘vacant goods’ and is the legal name for ownerless property, left by someone who dies intestate (ie. without making a will), without known kin and whose property, by law, then passes to the Crown. The work of Bona [...]

Click here for the Foreword When charities undertake significant property developments – for example, building a new synagogue or educational institution – they need to know ‘what’s what’ when contemplating the VAT implications for their development.  Barry Leigh, partner at Cohen Arnold, looks at the issues involved and offers useful advice on this often complex [...]