Starting her journey with Jewish Care Scotland almost 30 years ago, Avril Levy has become a highly respected member of JCS’s volunteer team.
With a background in advertising and marketing, Avril left her part-time job at the Citizen’s Theatre to support the opening of her husband’s restaurant. After taking some time away from her career, she decided to do something just for her; what she thought was a self-awareness course on Bath Street in Glasgow.
Every Tuesday for a year Avril, alongside Alice Tankel and Vivian Strang from Jewish Care Scotland, would go to class together. After a few lovely weeks of learning they realised the course was much more counselling based than they had originally anticipated, giving the ladies tools to support others emotionally, as well as themselves.
“What would I need this for?!” Avril wondered. And before she knew it, she found herself thoroughly enjoying it!
At the end of the course Alice asked: “Avril, I think you need to come work for Jewish Care Scotland, because you wouldn’t want to waste this!”
Having been introduced to Jewish Care Scotland by her long-time best friend, Maureen Solomons, Avril knew all about the charity. Freda Jackson, who Avril had known since she was a little child, took her very first interview. Avril only had to walk into the room before Freda announced:
“I do not have to interview you, you come from a caring family.” And the rest is history!
Avril joined at a pivotal time for JCS; when volunteers had just stopped being sent out in twos and were beginning to make solo visits. As a new volunteer, this was pretty nerve wracking! An experienced volunteer quickly took Avril under her wing and suggested she shadowed her visit, before visiting someone alone. The ladies then travelled to Edinburgh together to visit two sisters who lived together but struggled to communicate. Avril’s colleague took the lead, chatting to one of the sisters in the kitchen. It became clear that the second sister was more drawn to Avril which gave her a welcome confidence boost on her first proper visit!
“And that was my start!” Avril’s journey had officially begun.
The first year she spent with Jewish Care Scotland they threw a Chanukah celebration in the old Macabbi building, full of music, light and togetherness. She recalls one man singing an army song and saluting which, unexpectedly, struck a real emotional chord, causing her to burst into tears, thinking of her father. Avril uttered: “I don’t think I can do this!” Almost immediately being reassured by a fellow volunteer, “It’s fine, you can do this! We’re here with you.”
The support meant everything.
Working closely with the volunteer team allowed Avril the opportunity to nurture and grow friendships. Having already known both Lesley Roles and Maureen since they were teenagers, the three quickly formed a strong bond alongside Risha Freedman, Vivian Strang and Slyvia Cohen. Over the years their friendship took them far and wide – they went on a few holiday trips as friends, exploring Paris and Rome together topping up their tan!
At Chanukah the volunteers would transform into performers! It all began with Maureen and two members of JCS staff doing an Andrew’s Sisters routine in Carmichael Hall. The show was such a success that a large group of volunteers and staff got together to form a cabaret group – every year from as early as September you’d find the group rehearsing, making sure they knew their performances inside out! Avril, Maureen and Lesley had fun donning their matching outfits and miming to the Beverly Sisters song ‘Sisters’! These annual shows meant a lot to the community, capturing the magic of connection that came with being a part of Jewish Care Scotland.
Avril’s proudest moment as a volunteer is being made Chair of the Thistle Club. After being involved with Jewish Care Scotland for years, being given an official title made her feel incredibly valued within the organisation.
More recently, Avril helped to found Welcome Wednesday, JCS’s weekly drop-in café. Established in 2021 as Jewish Care Scotland adapted their services to fit the ever-changing needs of the community; Welcome Wednesday has become a pocket of happiness for the community, having a positive impact on peoples’ lives’ every single week!
These are but a few of Avril’s many, incredible moments with Jewish Care Scotland over the years! Thank you for dedicating your time, infectious energy and empathy to JCS and our community. Thanks to you we can say with confidence: Jewish Care Scotland volunteers do more than care!
“Working with JCS has helped me understand people who are all different and not take things too personally, I’m very sensitive and empathetic, which means I care!”
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