JEWISH CARE

Shabbat Services Volunteer for the Wohl Synagogue

Betty and Asher Loftus Campus, Friern Barnet

Role Summary:  

We are currently looking for some new Shabbat Service volunteers to join our incredible existing volunteers whose contribution enables residents to attend Shabbat services at the Wohl Synagogue at our Betty and Asher Loftus Centre each week. Our Shabbat service volunteers help to ensure the smooth running of our warm and inclusive services which are enjoyed by all residents and visitors who attend. Volunteer tasks include helping residents from their rooms to the Wohl Synagogue (wheelchair training will be given), helping residents with Kippot and Tallit, ensuring that residents are able to follow the service by helping with page turning, and, if able, to take part in leading the service. Tasks are divided by rota and volunteers can opt in and out of tasks due to personal preferences.  

We have a Coffee Club afterwards (except on Yom Kippur!) so please let us know if you want to visit and see what we do.   

 
Time Commitment: Saturday Mornings, 10:45 – 12:15 (with optional coffee club afterwards)  

 
How this role makes a difference:  The aim of the project is to encourage residents to be as independent as possible but support them where needed to enable them to fulfil their religious and cultural needs and enhancing their wellbeing. Our services are inclusive and cover all areas of Judaism on a circular basis.   

What you'll be doing in this role:

• Attending the service to volunteer weekly/fortnightly/monthly for approximately an hour and a half. 
• Help residents putting on Kippot and Tallit and keeping their place in the siddur 
• Going to the various floors of the campus homes, to assist wheelchair bound residents to join the service: Push wheelchairs (full training given) 
• If able to, leading some of the service.  

Skills & experience required:  

• An interest in working with older people within a Jewish environment  
• An understanding of Shabbat and the process of the Shabbat Morning service and kiddish. 
• Great listening skills, empathetic and non-judgmental with a friendly and warm personality 
• At ease and able to engage with people with sometimes, complex, medical needs including dementia 
• A commitment to volunteering weekly/fortnightly/monthly for approximately an hour and a half. 
• Completion of a DBS (police check) 
• Willingness to attend support sessions with other volunteers. 
• The ability to work independently but also stay within the role’s boundaries – recognising what should and shouldn’t be done and when to seek advice or report concerns. 

Induction, Learning & Development: 
Training is available so volunteers can carry out their roles to the highest professional standards, develop new skills, build confidence, make new friends and take on new and increasingly responsible tasks.   
 
Jewish Care will provide the following training, essential for this role: 

• Provide you with access to a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 
• Provide Induction Training:  Getting to know Jewish Care, Communication & Disability Awareness, Boundaries & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR. 
• Provide on the job induction. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Jewish Care: 

Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t function.  We absolutely depend on you.  Whatever your age, disability, whether you are working, unemployed or retired, there are opportunities to help at Jewish Care. 

As well as helping others you’ll get the chance to develop skills, build confidence and make new friends. 

• Enhance the lives of older people, making a real difference to the Jewish Community we support. 
• Be part of a great team and make new friends.  
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.  
• Access to a comprehensive training programme designed for the social care environment. 
• Gain valuable experience and enhance your CV 

Our aim is to enable people to enjoy a first-class experience as volunteers, making the most of their skills to make an impact on the communities that Jewish Care serve. 

Why get involved with Jewish Care? 
The work of Jewish Care and the services we provide to our community are vital.  We touch the lives of 10,000 people each week, with everything we do being underpinned by our Jewish values and ethics.  We provide services to: 

• Older people 

• People with Mental Health needs 

• Holocaust Survivors 

• People who are living with Dementia 

• People with physical and sensory disabilities  

• People who care for others  

We can only do this thanks to our amazing professional staff of 1,400 and the 3,000 dedicated volunteers who help make our work possible. 

 
Next Steps to becoming a volunteer at Jewish Care:  
Step 1: Please complete an expression of interest form for this role, which will automatically create a profile on our volunteer management system.  After you have applied, we will be in touch to discuss this role in more detail.  

Step 2: Following a successful conversation, with a member of the Volunteers Team or Hiring Manager you will be invited for an interview (and asked to bring identification with you).   
Step 3: Following a successful interview, you will be offered the volunteering role and asked to add further information into your volunteer profile, providing two references and completing a DBS (previously CRB) application form online.  Additional paperwork may need to be completed for some roles e.g. volunteer driver.  

Step 4: You will be invited to attend mandatory Volunteer Induction Training. Training is to enable volunteers to carry out roles to the highest professional standards, develop skills, build confidence and meet other new volunteers  
Step 5:  Mazel-tov/Congratulations! Once we have received and recorded a suitable DBS, satisfactory references and training has been completed, you are officially part of the Jewish Care Volunteer network!  
  
If you have any questions at all about this role, other roles, or volunteering in general with Jewish Care, please contact volunteering@jcare.org or telephone 020 8922 2405.  

 This is a voluntary position that supports the work or our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff.  This role does not form any part of any contract of employment.