How we have evolved

Today all women have to be multi-taskers, but LJW members are including voluntary work alongside home, business and social responsibilities. It is this that is an essential ingredient which has proved so valuable for LJW. This ability together with one of the guiding principles of the Jewish faith “Tzedaka” (the importance of charitable giving and the requirement to help those less fortunate than oneself) is why LJW has always been so successful.

Strictly non-fundraising, frontline support is offered, with members often working alongside paid staff, sometimes on their own or with other charitable organisations. LJW works with a wide range of other organisations such as Macmillan Nurses, Red Cross, WRVS, Jewish Care and World Jewish Relief as well as social services. LJW helps out in hospitals and hospices, prisons and courts of justice, day centres and residential homes, schools and contact centres.

As well as welfare work LJW provides a range of educational and social activities both at central and local level. Centrally LJW arranges seminars on Health and Social Issues subjects, and also organise, through the LeagueArtz committee, opportunities for group visits to theatres, concerts, exhibitions, gardens and buildings of special interest.

Our representation on NCW (National Council of Women) and NAWO (National Alliance of Women’s Organisations) and contact with WNC (Women’s National Commission) give us a voice on national issues and an opportunity to express a Jewish perspective on matters discussed. We are also represented on AJWO (Association of Jewish Women) an umbrella organisation for all the various Jewish Women’s groups in the UK.

LJW is the UK affiliate of ICJW (the International Council of Jewish Women) which enables our members to be in communication with other Jewish Women throughout the world and attend their international conferences.

LJW understands the need for fun as well as the opportunities for social interaction at central and local levels. Although we are a non-fundraising organisation we rely on donations and legacies to raise money to cover our core expenditure. To help with this LJW organises several functions a year centrally or within your local area. These range from lunches to quizzes, teas to days out. LJW also has organised a sponsored “Walk a league for the League”, giving a chance for the whole family to take part. The walks usually take place in local parks or beauty spots and finish with a picnic, weather permitting.

LJW members come from across the spectrum of religious observance of the Jewish faith. LJW members reflect the whole spectrum of Judaism in this country, and as such are able to act as ambassadors for the whole of Anglo-Jewry by offering our services to all those who need help both in and outside our own community.

The structure of LJW consists of local groups throughout the UK, with many in the Manchester area co-ordinated by the NorthWest Region , individual groups in Bournemouth, Leicester, Glasgow, Cardiff and the Greater London area. In addition there are focussed groups for young mums, JMums, and women on their own, Prime Time. Men can join as associate members, LADS.