A message from our Chairman

Jewish Care Scotland – A place for everyone

With Rosh Hashanah and Jewish Care Scotland’s AGM approaching, we are reflecting on the previous year and starting to look ahead at what’s to come.

At our AGM in September 2025, we launched our strategic plan for the next five years with a real focus on bringing the Community together.  Community remains at the heart of what we do and we envisage a strong, united Community with provision for everyone no matter their age or capability.

Over the past two years we have been building on our existing programme of activities to create more opportunities for people to connect.  As well as the ever-popular Welcome Wednesday café and MorphFit classes we have introduced a monthly activity session, Monday Funday and weekly walking group, Tuesday Trails.  The regular, informal Monday activity has included quizzes, bingo and a speaker event as well as two outings, one to Loch Lomond Shores and most recently to Troon. Our all-weather walking group has over 20 active members who meet weekly to connect and get moving at a local park.

The weekly calendar is full of a variety of activities taking place at our centre in Giffnock.  Welcome Wednesday continues to offer a space to meet with old friends and make new ones, and importantly we are responding to demand for new, varied activities as part of that.  As well as the weekly “knit and natter” group, regular sing-alongs and engaging discussion panels, we are delighted to see our new groups coming together and using the Community space to play bridge and kalooki.

We are recruiting new volunteer roles to empower more members of the Community to get involved and give something back, as well as enabling us to expand our reach and be there for more people who need us.  Someone who can spare half an hour on a Wednesday afternoon to drive someone home from Welcome Wednesday will be giving them so much more than their time, they will be ensuring they can get out to meet with friends, enjoy some lunch and feel connected.  Something that many of us often take for granted.

Jewish Care Scotland has listened to the Community, to feedback and comments and we have responded.  For years people would say, “Jewish Care isn’t for me.”  I say it is.  Today, and in the future, Jewish Care Scotland is a place for everyone.

Jewish Care Scotland is proud to be able to offer something for everyone in the Community, at any phase of their lives.  From financial assistance grants supporting pupils at Calderwood Lodge Primary School, our upcoming Rosh Hashanah Makers Market spotlighting local artists and businesses and offering family activities, volunteering opportunities, to our Registered Day Care service we are confident that Jewish Care Scotland has something for everyone.

With exciting plans to redevelop the space to better suit the needs of the Community, we are confident that Jewish Care Scotland will continue to be a place for everyone, always.

To hear more about the year ahead, register to attend our AGM in October by visiting the Jewish Care Scotland website.  Please consider making a donation to our annual appeal this Rosh Hashanah to support the work that we do for all of the Community.

Shana Tovah!

Dr Richard Groden, Chairman