A Groundbreaking ‘Twinning in a Group’ Shabbaton
Press release from JCD (19/9/24)
Children from Talpiot Youth Village in Israel Join Stanmore Congregation for a Unique Twinning Weekend Organised by Jewish Child’s Day & Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue.
12–16 September 2024
Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue recently hosted a truly special Shabbaton, welcoming 11 Bar and Bat Mitzvah-aged children from Talpiot Youth Village in Israel. This event was part of the brand-new ‘Twinning in a Group’ programme, a pilot collaboration organised by Jewish Child’s Day and Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue. After months of online communication via email and Zoom, children from Stanmore and Talpiot finally met in person, sharing a transformative weekend. Talpiot Youth Village, located in Hadera, Israel, supports at-risk children, providing them with the education, care, and opportunities they need to overcome difficult circumstances and reach their full potential.
Jewish Child’s Day, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable Jewish children worldwide, brought this project to life with Rabbi Eli Birnbaum, Head of Community Development at Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue. Together, they created an unforgettable experience as part of their mission to foster meaningful cultural connections. In addition to building these relationships, Jewish Child’s Day is committed to inspiring the next generation to actively engage in charitable giving, helping children understand the power of making a lasting impact on their peers locally and globally. For over 77 years, the charity has transformed the lives of Jewish children in need, including those at Talpiot Youth Village, which is one of its beneficiaries.
Reflecting on the Shabbaton, Rabbi Eli Birnbaum shared: “Amid the recent challenges in Israel, we wanted to help our youth connect in a meaningful way. Partnering with Jewish Child’s Day to ‘twin’ our Bar and Bat Mitzvah cohort with children from Talpiot Youth Village was incredibly moving. The kids broke through cultural and language barriers, shared joyful moments, and built strong bonds—showing how we can support our brothers and sisters in Israel.”
In a true act of partnership, the UK twins from Stanmore raised the necessary funds to bring the children from Talpiot to London, making this life-changing experience possible.
A Shabbat of Friendship and Connection
Stanmore families warmly welcomed their ‘twins’ from Talpiot, engaging in a series of events that deepened their friendships. The children enjoyed a tour of London, a special Friday night service, a traditional Shabbat meal, a movie night, a visit to the Science Museum, and a shopping trip to Oxford Street. The Shabbaton culminated in an emotional certificate ceremony, honouring all participants and celebrating the connections formed during this heartwarming weekend.
One of the weekend’s highlights was the Shabbat service, where Chazan Johnny Turgel, whose daughter Liora participated in the programme. Reflecting on the experience, Turgel said: “This exceeded our wildest dreams. As the shul chazan, it was incredibly special to lead the Stanmore community in singing Acheinu at the Shabbat service—something we’d been singing since October 7th, but this time with some of our brothers and sisters from Israel. Seeing all the children sitting with their ‘twins’ brought tears to my eyes. These memories will stay with us forever.”
The event strengthened the deep bond between the Stanmore and Talpiot communities, with hopes that these connections will endure for years to come. Olivia, one of the UK twins, shared: “As soon as the Israeli children walked into the shul, I gave my twin a big hug and knew it was going to be a great weekend! I built an amazing friendship with my twin, Hodaya, and the other girls. It was a life-changing experience, and I’m so glad I was part of it.”
Nehemiah Napel, Director of Talpiot Youth Village, expressed his thoughts after hearing about the programme: “This is incredibly moving—it brings me to tears. I admire this initiative and hope it continues for many years. The impact on participants, both current and future, will be lasting. Thank you to everyone involved. Jewish Child’s Day looks forward to continuing its mission of connecting Jewish communities and supporting vulnerable Jewish children through similar projects.”
Its executive director, Anthea Jackson, said: “This Shabbaton was more than just a weekend of memories; it was an opportunity to build lasting friendships that crossed countries, cultures, and languages. It also highlighted the importance of charity work, showing how acts of kindness can foster understanding, empathy, and unity within Jewish communities worldwide.”
For more information about Jewish Child’s Day, the impactful work they do, or how to get involved in a similar programme, please contact Executive Director Anthea Jackson: anthea.jackson@jcd.uk.com
