As the Union of Jewish Women (UJW) reflect on this year, the NPO is filled with gratitude for what they have achieved.
Through the support of its donors, volunteers, and partners, the NPO has continued to empower, uplift, and bring dignity to communities across South Africa, since its establishment in 1931, to assist South African communities regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender.

Read more: Union for Jewish Women celebrated five sewing graduates

It’s long term projects include:

Alexandra aftercare programme

• Daily safe space, meals, homework support, private tutoring, and enrichment.
• Life skills, dance, reading, and creative activities.

Sewing empowerment course

• Skills training for unemployed people.
• Graduation of new trainees who are equipped with the skill and confidence to start their own businesses.
• Production team, past students, who make a living by sewing and doing alterations.

Bags for new beginnings

• Offers dignity to a new mom at a government clinic with the gift of a starter bag for the new baby and treats for the mom.
• The Monday knitting group knits and crochets beautiful baby blankets and baby beanies for this project.

Also read: Union of Jewish Women, Johannesburg acknowledge housekeepers at special appreciation event

Once-off projects and special moments

• Winter warmth drive: Jackets, scarves, blankets, and soup packs distributed across various communities.
• Eye testing: Optometrists volunteered their time and services to provide free eye testing and prescription glasses if necessary. A collection was carried out for used frames.
• 16 days of activism: Distributed over 50 rape care packs for victims of gender-based violence.
• Community hours: Offered students various opportunities to earn their school community hours.

Annual projects

• Women of courage: Held during women’s month, four courageous speakers shared their genuine stories of raw pain, wisdom, insight, and humour.
• Housekeepers’ appreciation tea: This special event thanks our treasured housekeepers/housemen with a morning of goody bags, delicious tea and cake, spot prizes, a motivating speaker, music, dancing, and lunch.

Membership is the lifeblood of UJW and keeps the organisation running. The membership fee is only R300 per annum. To join, email: info@ujw.co.za or call: 011 648 1053

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