Community Care

Supporting one another

Moor Lane Synagogue is more than a place of prayer. It is a community in which members look out for one another, offer practical help and ensure that nobody feels forgotten or alone.

Our Community Care work aims to provide sensitive, confidential and practical support to members and families during times of illness, bereavement, difficulty or isolation. It also creates opportunities for members to volunteer their time, skills and resources for the benefit of others.

Pastoral care

Members may sometimes benefit from a confidential conversation, practical guidance or simply knowing that someone from the community is available to listen.

Where appropriate, we can help members make contact with the Rabbi, President, community representatives or suitable external support services.

Please contact us if you, or someone you know, may benefit from pastoral support.

Hospital visiting

We aim to support members who are receiving treatment or staying in hospital.

This may include:

• arranging a visit or telephone call;
• helping the Rabbi or community representatives to make contact;
• providing information about Jewish chaplaincy services;
• offering practical support to relatives;
• helping members stay connected with the community.

Hospital visits will always be arranged sensitively and with the agreement of the person concerned wherever possible.

Home visiting and befriending

Members who are housebound, unwell, recently bereaved or feeling isolated may appreciate a regular visit or telephone call.

Our home-visiting and befriending volunteers can provide friendly contact and help members remain connected with synagogue and community life.

This is not a medical or professional care service, but a neighbourly form of community support.

Isolated-member check-ins

We are developing a regular check-in rota for members who would benefit from a friendly telephone call or visit.

Volunteers may be asked to:

• telephone an allocated member regularly;
• arrange an occasional visit;
• help the member receive synagogue information;
• alert the appropriate community contact if further support appears to be needed.

Members can ask to join the check-in service themselves, or—with their permission—be referred by a relative, friend or community member.

Meals and practical support

During illness, bereavement, recovery from hospital or other difficult periods, practical help can make an enormous difference.

Where volunteers are available, the community may be able to assist with:

• preparing or delivering meals;
• organising a short-term meal rota;
• collecting essential shopping;
• providing lifts;
• helping with small practical tasks;
• coordinating support between friends and neighbours.

Any food provided will be prepared and handled in accordance with the recipient’s dietary and kashrut requirements.

Lifts to services and community events

Members who are unable to drive or use public transport may need assistance attending synagogue services, events or appointments.

We hope to maintain a list of volunteers who may occasionally be able to offer lifts.

Lift arrangements are subject to availability and are made privately between the individuals concerned. Appropriate safeguarding, insurance and accessibility considerations should always be taken into account.

Bereavement support

Moor Lane seeks to support members and families before, during and after a bereavement.

Support may include:

• initial pastoral contact;
• guidance about whom to contact;
• assistance communicating funeral or shiva information;
• coordinating meals or practical help;
• arranging synagogue support;
• checking in with relatives after the shiva period;
• signposting to professional bereavement services where appropriate.

For urgent burial or bereavement enquiries, please use the dedicated contact details provided on our Bereavement and Burial page (you must be a signed in member).

Welfare support

The synagogue may occasionally be able to provide limited confidential assistance to members facing financial hardship or an immediate welfare concern.

Any welfare support is subject to available funds, appropriate approval and the synagogue’s charitable purposes. Requests will be considered discreetly and sensitively.

Where Moor Lane cannot provide direct assistance, we may be able to signpost members to suitable Jewish, local-authority or specialist organisations.

To discuss a welfare concern confidentially, please contact Mord at (you must be a signed in member).

Volunteer with Community Care

Our Community Care work depends on volunteers.

You do not need to make a major commitment. Even an occasional telephone call, hospital visit, meal delivery or lift can make a meaningful difference.

Volunteering opportunities may include:

• befriending and regular check-ins;
• hospital or home visiting;
• preparing or delivering meals;
• offering lifts;
• helping during bereavement;
• making telephone calls;
• assisting with charitable collections;
• providing professional or practical expertise;
• helping coordinate emergency support.

Complete our Community Care volunteering form (you must be a signed in member).

All volunteers will be asked to work within the synagogue’s safeguarding, confidentiality and data-protection arrangements. Some roles may require further checks, guidance or training.

Community skills register

Our members have a wide range of professional, practical and personal skills.

We would like to create a voluntary skills register so that, when an appropriate need arises, the community knows whom it may be able to approach.

Skills might include:

• legal, financial or administrative expertise;
• medical or caring experience;
• counselling or listening skills;
• translation and language skills;
• driving and transport;
• cooking and catering;
• building, maintenance and repairs;
• technology and digital support;
• employment and careers advice;
• education and tutoring.

Joining the register does not create an obligation to accept any request. Volunteers remain free to decide whether they are able and willing to assist.

Add your skills to the Community Skills Register (you must be a signed in member).

Charitable collections and emergency appeals

Moor Lane supports charitable giving within the congregation and the wider community.

From time to time, we may organise:

• collections for established charities;
• seasonal welfare campaigns;
• food or clothing collections;
• emergency appeals;
• support for individuals or families in urgent need.

All official appeals will be authorised through the synagogue’s agreed procedures. Donations should only be made through published Moor Lane channels or directly to the named charity.

View current appeals and charitable collections (you must be a signed in member)

Donations

Donations help Moor Lane provide pastoral, welfare and practical assistance.

You may choose to support:

• the Community Care Fund;
• the Welfare Fund;
• meals and practical assistance;
• bereavement support;
• emergency appeals;
• general synagogue charitable work.

Donations

Where requested, donations may be made anonymously. Restricted donations will be used only for the stated charitable purpose, subject to the synagogue’s donation terms.

External community resources

Some situations require specialist or professional support beyond what the synagogue can provide.

We aim to maintain links to trusted services covering areas such as:

• Jewish hospital chaplaincy;
• mental-health support;
• bereavement counselling;
• domestic-abuse support;
• disability and carers’ services;
• financial and debt advice;
• housing support;
• food assistance;
• safeguarding;
• emergency services.

The United Synagogue and other Jewish communal organisations provide information about hospital visiting, chaplaincy and community support services.

Torah

Links to external services are provided for information and signposting. Moor Lane Synagogue does not necessarily control or endorse every aspect of an external organisation’s services.

Ask for help

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need support.

You can contact Community Care on:

Email: [communitycare@moorlane.info]
Confidential contact form: Contact Moor Lane Synagogue Manchester

For an immediate danger or medical emergency, please contact the emergency services directly.

Tell us about someone who may need support

You may contact us if you are concerned about another member. Wherever possible, please obtain their permission before sharing personal information.

We will handle concerns sensitively, but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where there is a serious safeguarding risk or an immediate danger to someone’s welfare.

Join us in caring for the community

Community care is not the responsibility of one person or committee. It is something we build together through kindness, attention and practical action.

Whether you can make a telephone call, deliver a meal, offer a lift, share a professional skill or contribute to the welfare fund, your support can help ensure that every member of Moor Lane feels valued and connected.

Volunteer (you must be a signed in member) | Contact Moor Lane Synagogue Manchester | Donations