A SYNAGOGUE has been flooded with supplies for newly arrived Afghan families to the area after a Facebook request was met with “a tremendous act of love” from the local community.

Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, of the Bushey United Synagogue in Hertfordshire, messaged worshippers on a private Facebook page on Thursday night and then saw the donations pack out the venue’s car park by Sunday lunchtime.

The rabbi had been contacted by Bushey North councillor Laurence Brass, who said that some Afghan families had been placed in the local area and needed items including warm clothing, toiletries, toys and basic school supplies.

Rabbi Feldman said: “My response was, ‘I am absolutely sure we can help although I am not sure we can look after all of their requirements, but we can certainly try.’

“It went crazy. People copied the [Facebook] message. They forwarded it around and by the time Sunday arrived we had around may 3,000 bags [of items] that had been brought to help out.

“It has been a tremendous act of love and completely run by volunteers who all just wanted to help. They are not just Jewish. The message ended up going far and wide and everyone just wanted to make a difference.”