AdminHistory | The evolution of the Stepney Jewish Day Centre into Jewish Care came about in the 1990s following the amalgamation of several charities, with the aim of providing high quality care "in the most cost-effective way". The charity fostered strong links with other Jewish charitable agencies, with a view to meeting this objective. Consequently, many charities came under the aegis of Jewish Care, including Stepney Jewish Clubs and Settlements; the Jewish Welfare Board and Food For The Jewish Poor (Soup Kitchens).
Jewish relief agencies in East London have a long history. Much of their work became centralised following the establishment of The Board of Guardians for The Relief of British Jews in 1859. Concern had been voiced about the effects of a particularly harsh winter in 1855. One manifestation of this concern was the opening of a network of soup kitchens. At one session, the Jewish Soup Kitchen in Spitalfields served soup and bread to 1,400 poor Jewish families living in the neighbourhood. Its Committee would invite tenders for the supply of meat - "clod-stickings and shin three or more times in each week". This marks the earliest foundations of the organisation now known as Jewish Care.
Today, the hub of Jewish (Community) Care in Stepney is the Brenner Centre, whose constituency is older Jewish people living in East London and the City. It works with, inter alia, dementia sufferers; holocaust survivors and the bereaved and recently separated and is geared to the cultural and health requirements of its clientele. These activities are underpinned by liaising with synagogues; welfare groups and educational bodies. There comes considerable emphasis on the partnership between users; providers and people who donate financial support. For much of 2020, the work of Jewish Care was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, although it continued to provide key services online. The charity provided meals-on-wheels for three times more people than before the pandemic. It promoted its befriending programme and a lively programme of talks; digital entertainment and other online activities.
Sources of Information: Jewishcare.org London City Press: 18th April, 1863 Tower Hamlets Independent and East London Local Advertiser: 31st December, 1898 Jewish Chronicle: 13th November, 1896 jewsfww.uk (British Jews in The First World War) |