Rachel Ucko, winner of an award for Outstanding Individual on Mitzvah Day, is “an unsung hero – the invisible glue that holds our community together,” said Richard Franklin, Kisharon Langdon Chief Executive.
He was speaking after the awards event at South Hampstead Synagogue, when Kisharon Langdon also picked up a Beneficiary Charity Award which is presented to organisations that deliver exceptional work. As well as these, Kisharon Noé School was nominated for an Outstanding Youth Achievement Award for a joint project with Etz Chaim Primary School in Mill Hill.
“While we don’t work to receive awards, it is very nice to receive one,” admitted Rachel, Kisharon Langdon Head of Jewish Living and Community, who organised a series of projects on Mitzvah Day. These included collecting and sorting toiletries for Sebby’s Corner, a charity for families in need, flower arranging with Jewish Care residents, a football match with young Jewish adults and organising a collection for Food Bank Aid with pupils from Etz Chaim.
She said: “People regard those supported by a charity as recipients of aid, but I want to change that narrative and show that learning disability is no barrier – we have the ability to give back.
“I am proud of our work with Sebby’s Corner, showing that the help we give isn’t limited to Jewish charities. This is very important to me.”
Rachel, one of two recipients of an Outstanding Individual award – the other was chef Jasvinder Singh – had no idea who nominated her and had to return in a hurry from a Kisharon Langdon site in Manchester after a very persuasive phone call inviting her to the awards event that evening.
Award winners were decided partly by votes from the public and the decisions of a Mitzvah Day panel.
Photo: Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks with Outstanding Individual award winners, Rachel Ucko and Jasvinder Singh
