An Islington Rabbi ran a half marathon in the Arctic Circle to raise money for a community Passover meal.
Rabbi Mendy Korer described completing the 21km route in Levi, Northern Finland last Wednesday as a “magical” experience.
The money raised will ensure Islington’s annual Seder is accessible for everyone and will be used to help fund meal tickets for those from lower income households.
Normal tickets for the meal range from £35 for students to £65 for the standard price.
As of Monday, Rabbi Mendy has raised £2,354, surpassing his target of £2,100 (£100 per kilometre of the race).
The race route involved running across the frozen Immeljarvia lake and finished with a climb up Katkankaturi mountain.
“It was absolutely incredible,” Rabbi Mendy said. “The climbing and the views, the twists and turns along the way were so beautiful.”
He added: “The motivation along the whole way was so profound.”
This year’s community seder meal will be hosted in Islington Town Hall on April 1.
“It’s grown from starting out in the first flat where we lived in Canonbury in 2012 with 10 people around the table, to having 200 people,” Rabbi Mendy said.
“It is people from across the borough, different parts of life. It is a mix of ages, backgrounds, nationalities that come together,” he added. “In particular, it is for people who may not have family to join with. It’s about creating that space and making it warm and friendly.”
Rabbi Mendy and his wife Hadasa founded Islington Chabad in 2011 for the Jewish community in Islington which includes almost 3000 people.
Before this, there had not been a synagogue in the borough for around 50 years.
“We came here to give an opportunity and create availability for Jews that live in the borough to have a community space where they can meet, whether socially or religiously,” Rabbi Mendy said.
He encourages any Jewish people who would like to join the communal Seder on 1 April to get in touch.
