Offering synagogues packaged gifts for Rosh Hashanah has turned into one of Kisharon’s biggest business opportunities to date.

Twelve London shuls snapped up the chance to buy gifts from Kisharon, one ordering as many as 1,200 packs and, in total 7,000 individually labelled items will be despatched in time for the New Year.

“The response has been phenomenal,” said Marketing Consultant Sara Gatoff, who was behind the idea.

The New Year gifts are likely to become valued presents for vulnerable members and others not expected in shul this year, or to thank the many individuals who put in outstanding chesed work during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Shul orders were welcomed to help make up for Kisharon’s lost fundraising due to Covid-19, but the unexpectedly high demand brought with it a huge organisational challenge.

Coming to the rescue was a 30-strong team of volunteer packers working in shifts at Childs Hill Library and Kisharon Design & Print where Manager Jonathan Rose put in countless hours at the printing press.

All the shuls picked items for their gift bags from a selection that included candles, wine, grape juice, jars of honey and honey dippers decorated by people supported by Kisharon. Available too were decorated Rosh Hashanah kiddush cards bearing the name of the presenting shul.

Sara added: “Support from shuls has been amazing. This together with our gifts website shows that if people do not feel safe going to the shops because of Covid-19, they will be able to shop with us and buy online.”