Education Education Education

Harvey wants to Improve community relations. Harvey believes that education is the best way forward. His volunteering works reflects this. He likes to explain Jewish religion and customs reflecting on the similarities to other religions and practices. We live in a multi-cultural society and if we understand the customs of our neighbours we will be more tolerant and accepting.

The Faith and Belief Forum – Improve community relations

For the last 10 years Harvey has visited schools all over London as part of the Faith and Belief Forum.

A quote from the forum’s web site sums up their values “Forum exists to create good relations between people of different faiths and beliefs. 

Our vision is a connected and supportive society where people of different faiths, beliefs and cultures have strong, productive and lasting relations. We believe the future belongs to people of all beliefs, that intolerance has no place in society and that diversity adds value.”

One of the programs run by the forum involves school visits where two people talk to the class for 5 minutes or more about their stories and their beliefs. Harvey talks about his Jewish faith and maybe accompanied by a Christian, an Atheist a Buddhist or any other religion. One of his most moving experiences came when visiting an Islamic school. He entered with a certain amount of trepidation, but this was swept away by the kindness and interest of all those at the school.

If you’d like to volunteer or get involved with the Faith and Belief Forum visit their web site. As they say, “every person who signs up to volunteer or support us in another way actively brings us one step closer to achieving our vision.”

At the synagogue – Improve community relations

Pinner Orthodox Synagogue welcomes school parties for tours which is often part of their Religious Education syllabus. Harvey conducts these tours which are designed for all religious and non-denominational schools. When the school really can’t afford the cost of a coach Harvey has gone to the school instead. During the visit talks about all aspects of the Jewish Religion. His aim is to show the children the similarities and connection between all the major faiths.

Find out more about Pinner Shul.

Talking Newspapers

Harvey helps with the production of Harrow’s Talking Newspaper, part of the Talking News Federation to help the partially-sighted and the blind keep in touch with local news.

The Federation has a network of Talking Newspapers across the country who send out local news coverage to those in need. Each week recipients receive a USB stick that they play at home. Recently Harvey received a message from one of the listeners to say how much she appreciated the stories. She felt the readers were almost at home with her.

Most of the articles come from the Harrow Observer, Harrow-on-line and the local authority magazine, Harrow People. Occasionally, articles with relevance to the visually impaired, come from the national newspapers and web sights such as Visionary.org.

As with all charities they constantly need volunteers. The skills and opportunities are diverse, editors, readers, administrators, fund raisers and technicians. If you have any of these skills then contact Terry Emery

Bridge at the care home

Harvey doesn’t just play bridge as part of his leisure activities he also helps teach and support bridge. Weekly, he helps the organiser of a bridge club in a local care home where he either helps the residents or makes up a foursome if they are short.

Kisharon Langdon

Kisharon Langdon works with Jewish children and adults with learning difficulties. They aim to empower everyone to achieve their maximum potential. Their care is personalised working with the individuals needs and wishes to give as much control and choice as possible.

Harvey regularly goes to Childs Hill Library where he helps two adults to improve their reading and maths. Perhaps they play hangman and basic word games. Sometimes they pretend to go shopping working out the cost and the change they should receive. It’s important that they can live as independent and fulfilling lives as possible.

Kisharon Langdon’s volunteers are absolutely vital to the charity and the many people it supports. “Crucially, volunteering is about friendship”. Just one hour can make all the difference. Find out more about volunteering and enrolling in the youth or adult team.

History and background

Harvey was born in Fulham and spent his early childhood there and in South London where his parents ran a tobacconist shop. At 40 they both became fed up with a life tied to a shop for 6 ½ days a week. Harvey’s father retrained as a chartered surveyor while at the same time working and looking after a family. The efforts of his father to change career inspired Harvey to also become a chartered surveyor. “You have to be qualified to succeed in the property business if you don’t have the gift of the gab,” he says. “So, while I worked in the property sector I studied and became qualified as soon as possible.”

Harvey finished his career evaluating risk for a large bank’s property portfolio. Careful management on his part meant that he retired slowly by handing over his responsibilities incrementally to others to free up his time.

Before settling in Pinner he lived in Camberwell, Wembley and North Harrow and is now a very active member of the community.

Discover more

Find out about many more volunteers Learn about their their stories, their motivations and how they help the community. Follow the links on this page.