A multi-faith multi-organisation partnership teamed up for a special community meal in the heart of the City of London to kick off the month of faith-based social action leading up to Mitzvah Day.
Members of Bevis Marks, Britain’s oldest synagogue, created and served a warm Community Table Lunch for the service users of the Shoreditch Trust at a special event in the new Aldgate Centre in St Botolph’s, one of England’s most historic churches. It is the first time a kosher meal has been enjoyed in the centre.
The day was part of the 20th anniversary celebrations for Mitzvah Day, the UK’s largest faith-based social action event, which culminates on Sunday 23 November 2025.
The Shoreditch Trust’s Community Table Lunch takes place twice a week – with one in Shoreditch and one in the City (with support from funders including The City of London Corporation’s Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund) – offering a welcoming space for guests to enjoy good food, access support, and connect with others.
This special kosher version saw Bevis Marks and the S&P Sephardi Community cook two traditional Jewish recipes – a vegan cholent and a vegetarian kugel – which won rave reviews from diners, almost of all of them trying the classic dishes for the first time and many asking for a take-away too.
Putting the shared belief that food helps build bridges between people into action, the event also saw service users sitting and chatting with some of the City’s most senior political and faith leaders including Rachel Blake MP, Councillor Philip Kelvin, Rabbi Shalom Morris, Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton, Reverend Laura Jørgensen, Reverend Josh Harris and Pandit Arun Shastri Ji.
Councillor Philip Kelvin, who is also a Bevis Marks member, said: “What is so special about today is how it shows the way that food brings people in our city together and allows us to celebrate all our different cultures, whether it’s getting a bagel in Brick Lane or going two doors down and having a curry. I am proud to be here to support the incredible work being done by both my synagogue and the Shoreditch Trust.”
The event was led by Bevis Marks Synagogue’s Chair Michael Green and S&P Executive Director Rebecca Doctors, along with volunteers Shaym, Dorothy and Ineza. The synagogue is opening the Bevis Marks Heritage Foundation in spring 2026 and one of its purposes is to increase interfaith relations between the many different religious communities in the City.
Rebecca Doctors said: “It’s very important for the Jewish community to show how we contribute to our local society. Events like this Mitzvah Day lunch give us the opportunity to come together with people from all faiths and backgrounds to volunteer, side by side, and build cohesion, collaboration and community spirit.”
Jeremy Gardner, Chair of Shoreditch Trust, added: “We are proud to work in partnership with our neighbour Bevis Marks, bringing together communities to be part of Mitzvah Day’s social action and connection. Sharing food and bringing people together is at the heart of what we do, forging strong and trusting relationships to enrich our work and the lives of the people we serve.”
To register to take part in this year’s Mitzvah Day, please visit here