Mitzvah Day International Day around the world. Though based within the UK's Jewish Community, Mitzvah Day traditionally marks the first day of UK National Inter Faith Week, and as a result has expanded to include participants from other faith communities as well. 'Mitzvah' is the Hebrew biblical term for 'deed' or 'commandment', which has come to mean 'good deed' or 'charitable act' in contemporary English. The 2017 date is November 19. Mitzvah Day International was founded by Laura Marks in 2005, who, upon returning to her native UK from a period spent in Los Angeles, decided to bring the 'Mitzvah Day' concept she
Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism for Secular Humanistic Judaism. Rabbi Denise Handlarski defines what Humanistic Jews believe: "JK to Grade 7, a B’nai Mitzvah program and Oraynu-Tots preschool program" The purpose of the curriculum is to encourage a strong Secular Humanistic Jewish identity in each child by making Jewish culture, values and history come alive. Central to the School’s philosophy is the value of Tikkun Olam, making the world a better place. The program culminates at the end of Grade 7 with a group B’nai Mitzvah ceremony. Adolescents, age 13+, are part of a youth group which meets for discussion, programs and volunteer activities. The