Terms
of Reference
INTERIM
COUNCIL
Project
Team Name
Interim Council
Purpose
This document describes the
purpose, scope and desired outputs of the Interim Council tasked with establishing
a unified structure, name and logo for the new community from January 1st
2017 and thereafter ensuring the gradual unification of all functions and
processes of both synagogues such that everyone begins to feel they are part of
a single Liberal Jewish community primarily serving the East London and West
Essex area.
Scope
of the Interim Council
- To
allocate and progress the tasks that will unify structures in the short
term.
- To
identify and, where appropriate, commence the tasks necessary to unify
structures in the longer term.
- To establish working parties as
required and set
clear terms of reference. To monitor the functioning of the working
parties so that each of them succeeds in a timely fashion. The working
parties will be responsible for ensuring the effective unification of the
two synagogues and developments for the future.
The following groups will be established
immediately and will have a long term role i.e.
·
Education,
encompassing:
o
Children and
Youth
o
Adults
·
Finance
·
Social
Care/Welfare
·
Rites and
practices
·
Social and
Events
·
Membership
(to include Burial)
·
Publicity and
publications
·
Young Adults
·
Site
management
The following groups may have a short term role,
continuing until their tasks are completed;
·
Community
Focus Group - advising on the integration process from a membership perspective
·
Property
Group - reviewing current building provision and leading the search for a new
property
- To
review all staffing and contracts of employment, to recommend changes to
both Councils while they continue to operate.
- To deliver all the above changes by
methods in line with the principles and Affirmations of Liberal Judaism,
and with due respect for the story of its predecessor communities.
- To initiate and model a culture for the new
community that is enriching and fresh, enjoyable and fun, enabling and
fulfilling. To seek innovative and enjoyable early successes (services,
events, communications, etc.) that show the new community is more than
merely an amalgam of its parts.
Authority
and Reporting
The Interim Council has
delegated authority from both councils to make provisional decisions, which
will ultimately be put to the Board of Directors of the new company for
ratification
Working parties, according to
timelines set in their terms of reference, will be required to make reports to
the Interim Council either in writing or in person.
The Interim Council will
continue the practice established by the MPMC of making regular reports to
synagogue members.
Membership
Initial
members of the Interim Council, will be:
Jonny Hurst
Gary Freedman
Tina Gold
Ashley Marks
Mel Millenbach
Stewart Spivack
Bob Kamall
Elliott Porte
Alice Wilcock
Shirley Forbes
Paula Sumray
Richard Stevens
Co-opted/ex-officio
members of the Interim Council
Rabbi Richard Jacobi
Rabbi David Hulbert
The Interim Council will
invite additional members as required. Including:
Ben Glassman
Merle Muswell
Sharon Law
Dan Rowson
Elected Council members from
both synagogues will have voting rights should they be invited to attend the
Interim Council.
Deliverables
Initially the Interim Council
is tasked with delivering the wishes of both communities to bring together both
Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogue into a vibrant single community which
will eventually be co-located.
Immediately, the Interim
Council is tasked with ensuring that the new community has a new name and
branding and is identifiable as such by 1st January 2017.
The Interim Council also
needs to
- ensure
that the membership is kept fully informed of progress towards complete
unification.
- Listen
as hard to members needing to grieve the passing of their synagogue as to
those with exciting new ideas.
- bring
together financial processes and structures
- ensure
that all subgroups are carrying out their set tasks with due consideration
to the timelines needed to provide an effective service to members.
- Bring
as many members through the change period as possible (target: no net loss
of members by June 2017)
***************************************************************************************************************
Joint Statement
from the members of the Interim Council for the new community
2
November 2016
Since our last
communication to you we are delighted that there has been such a positive
response to all the activities that are now taking place to help us form our
new community.
New Community Name
Following consultation with members over the High Holy
Days and at the Community Focus Group Meeting on 19 October, both
existing synagogue councils came up with a shortlist of names for the
new community which were subsequently considered by the Interim
Council. At a meeting of the Interim Council on 31 October 2016, it was
unanimously agreed that the English/legal name of the new community will
be East London & Essex Liberal
Synagogue. The Interim Council would like to
thank all members for their excellent suggestions over the last month,
which will now enable the team to proceed with the many
and complex administrative steps which need to be completed in order for
the new community to be 'up and running' by 1 January 2017. East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue will also take a
Hebrew name and design a new logo, which will be determined at a later
date.
We hope that we will soon be sending all future communications out under
the new heading.
10 and 31 October 2016: meetings of the Interim Council
At the first meeting of
the Interim Council it was agreed that it would be led by co-Chairs Shirley
Forbes and Bob Kamall as the synagogue Chairs are committed to their work with
the respective synagogues until at least January 2017. The role and functions of the Interim Council
will be reviewed at a general meeting for members on the morning of 26 February
2017, full details of time and venue will be published shortly.
The Interim Council has
also set Terms of Reference which outline the work of the Interim Council and
the reporting structures to the separate synagogue councils. The TOR establishes several working parties
and task the Interim Council with drawing together the functions and processes
of both synagogues into a unified structure.
The full text of these Terms of Reference can be found on the website
and blog of the respective synagogues.
The meetings have taken
reports from the existing groups, which are detailed below and following the
meeting on 31 October have started the process of establishing the remaining
groups.
18 October 2016: R&P The main task facing the
R&P group is the location of possible venues for the Communal Seder and the
High Holy Days in 2017. The separate
service rotas will become a single rota fully effective from 1 January
2017, although services will be offered at both sites. R&P have also proposed that the first
weekend services in January 2017 will both be joint services.
R&P
also proposed that from this point onwards the legacy synagogues are known by
their addresses (Perryman’s Farm and Marlborough Road) rather than synagogue
names.
18 October 2016: Finance Treasurers are making
progress towards establishing the projected income and expenditure for the new
community. Their proposal which has been
accepted by the Interim Council, subject to agreement from the administrators
is that the Perryman’s Farm Road office becomes the main administrative office
for the new community as it is larger than the office at Marlborough Road.
18 October 2016: Social Events Plans are in place for the
Barn Dance and for a quiz early in 2017.
The Interim Council has asked the group to arrange some smaller events
which will allow members of the two communities to meet and socialise without
necessary being fund-raising events.
19 October 2016: Community Focus Group This meeting was well
attended and focussed on the new name for the community and the need for
volunteers to join working parties to help develop our new synagogue.
The
current decision making structure was explained – that the Interim Council has
delegated authority from the two elected Councils to carry out the unification
of the two communities but for the time being final authority rests with the
elected councils. This process will be
reviewed regularly but is expected to continue until the first AGM of the new
community.
27 October 2016: Property Action Group A very successful first
meeting the Property Action Group has started to explore the potential value of
the two sites and starting the search for a new building based on demographic
surveys carried out by the MPMC. The
group will be chaired by Darren Green.
Meetings for the following
groups are currently being arranged:
·
Adult Education – Shirley Forbes to lead
·
Cheder – First meeting on 10 November
·
Magazine/Publicity – Bob Kamall to lead
Existing group chairs have
been asked to contact members who signed up to help at the Community Focus
Group meeting.
The next meeting of the
Interim Council will take place on 21 November.
If members would like to raise any matters with the Interim Council
please contact either of the Co-chairs.
Shirley Forbes and Bob
Kamall
Co-Chairs, Interim Council
Contacts
Shirley
– srforbes55@virginmedia.com
Bob
– dibob59@gmail.com
********************************************************************************************************
October 2016
Joint Statement
from the members of the Woodford Liberal Synagogue and Bet Tikvah Merger
Project Management Committee ('MPMC')
9 October
2016
Following the momentous
news on 25 September 2016, when the members of both synagogues voted
overwhelmingly in favour of unifying the two communities from 1 January 2017,
we are pleased to confirm that the MPMC met the following day, 26 September to
plan for the future. We have now set up the inaugural meetings of the following
groups:
-
10 October 2016: first meeting
of the Interim Council
At
this meeting, the existing officers and some of the current trustees of both
synagogues will meet with the two rabbis in order to start planning key
strategic short term and long-term goals. This group is, effectively a steering
group which has delegated power from both existing councils to make provisional
decisions which, in due course, will be put to the Board of Directors of the
new community for ratification.
The
initial members of the interim council are:
Gary
Freedman (Chairman and Trustee, BT)
Jonny
Hurst (Chair and Trustee, WLS)
Bob
Kamall (Vice-Chair and Trustee, WLS)
Stewart
Spivack (Vice-Chair, BT)
Alice
Wilcock (Vice-Chair and Trustee, WLS)
Shirley
Forbes (Council member and Trustee, BT)
Tina
Gold (Treasurer and Trustee, WLS)
Ashley
Marks (Treasurer, BT)
Mel
Millenbach (Treasurer and Trustee, WLS)
Elliott
Porte (Council member, BT)
Richard
Stevens (Council member and Trustee, WLS)
Up
to two other members from each synagogue council will be co-opted to this group
to see its work through to 1 January 2017.
Now
that both communities have voted, the MPMC’s functions will be taken over by
the Interim Council.
-
18 October
2016: meeting between Rabbis David Hulbert and Richard Jacobi with Ben Glassman
and Elliott Porte from R&P
The R&P group has already done a lot of work bringing
together the thinking behind the slightly different practices in both
synagogues. This meeting will start the
process of putting that work into practice, looking at service rotas and
minhag. There will also be discussion
about the High Holy Days in 2017 when we will be a single community.
-
19 October 2016: first
meeting of the new Community Focus Group
This
is an open meeting for all members of
both synagogues and is taking place
at Woodford Liberal Synagogue at 8pm on 19 October. The aim of this
meeting is to gather together as many members of the existing councils, committees
and groups from both synagogues as possible, as well as the new
community’s next generation of volunteers.
The purpose of this group will be to guide and advise the Interim
Council on how we should deliver information and activities to members (e.g.
its magazine, social events, education, membership, social care etc).
The
most important item on the agenda will be the
name of the new community. For legal and ‘lead-time’ reasons, the Interim
Council requires the name of the new community to be settled by mid-November
2016 so we have sufficient time for this to be approved by the Charity
Commission and for the necessary administrative and legal steps to be completed
by 1 January 2017. The meeting on 19 October will be the first formal
consultation step with members of both synagogues. Members are also encouraged
to leave suggestions between now and 19 October in the suggestion boxes which
are currently located at both synagogues or to email: jonnyhurst@hotmail.com and sforbes55@virginmedia.com
Please
make every effort to be there on 19 October if, as we hope, you want to play a
part in your new vibrant community.
-
27 October 2016: first
meeting of the Property and Buildings Group
We
have a number of property-related experts who are members of both synagogues.
They will be given terms of reference on 27 October by the Interim Council to research
in the coming months and to ultimately advise how we may pursue the various
options we have open to us to move into a single building.
The Interim Council will continue the MPMC practice of
publishing regular reports to members.
Shirley Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall, Elliot Porte,
Stewart Spivack and Richard Stevens
Merger Project Management Committee
Merger Project Management Committee
August 2016
Dear
Member,
Notification of EGM - Sunday, 25
September 2016
On
the morning of Sunday 25 September 2016, the members of Woodford Liberal
Synagogue and Bet Tikvah Synagogue will be holding separate extraordinary general
meetings at each synagogue. At each EGM, members will be asked to vote on
whether they wish for their respective synagogues to dissolve in their current
forms and to re-form as a single, combined community.
The
Rabbis, Council and Officers of both synagogues as well as the Trustees of Bet
Tikvah recommend a vote in favour of
the above proposal for a number of reasons. We set out our key reasons below:
·
Rather than
continuing independently, a single, larger combined community presents the best
opportunity to maintain and grow a strong and lasting home for liberal and
progressive Jews in East London/West Essex.
·
Although there
are some differences between the two communities, as we are both liberal
communities affiliated to Liberal Judaism, we share a great deal more in common.
·
During the last
18 months, we have demonstrated in the number of events we have run together
that the two communities are capable of unifying successfully.
·
Considerable
work has already gone into successfully harmonising keys aspects of synagogue
life, such as the burial schemes which will remain unchanged.
·
A larger community
should, in time, enjoy the benefit of economies of scale, particularly when the
opportunity comes to operating ‘under one roof’ rather than two.
For the
above proposal to be carried by Bet Tikvah Synagogue at the EGM, at least two-thirds of the votes cast
by members need to be in favour, excluding abstentions and spoiled ballot
papers. The proposal will only take effect if the members
of Woodford Liberal Synagogue agree a proposal on similar terms pursuant to the
terms of their constitution.
.Agenda on 25 September 2016
10.30 –
11.00 Tea and coffee
11.00 –
11.30 Start of EGM: short Q & A with members present.
11.30 –
12.00 Start of secret ballot of those members present.
12.00 Close of secret ballot.
12.00 to
12.30 Counting and verification of the vote.
12.30 Confidential phone call between two chairs and
returning officers
12.45 Announcement
of outcome of the vote of both communities
Ballot papers
Please
find attached your ballot paper and ballot envelope.
You
may vote either:
·
in person on 25
September 2016 at the EGM using both the attached ballot paper and ballot
envelope; or
·
by returning the
ballot paper in the ballot envelope
supplied to the synagogue office either in person or by post. If you do not
intend to vote in person on 25 September and wish to use a postal vote, it is
your responsibility to ensure that your ballot paper is safely received by the
synagogue office. Postal votes will not be counted unless they are returned in the ballot
envelope bearing your bespoke ballot number.
All
ballot papers sent by post/delivered to the synagogue in their respective
ballot envelopes which are received by the Chair by the start of the EGM on 25
September 2016 will be counted, but please note that envelopes containing
postal votes will not be opened until the votes are counted at 12 noon on 25
September.
In
the meantime, any member who has a query in connection with the vote at the EGM
on 25 September, please do not hesitate to contact Stewart, Elliott or Shirley.
Finally, if you intend to attend the
EGM, please remember to bring your ballot paper and ballot envelope.
Kind
regards
………………………………….. …………………………………..
Gary Freedman , Chairman Rabbi David
Hulbert
June 2016
Following the joint council meeting, which took place
on 31 January 2016, the Merger Consultation Document was published and members
of both synagogues met separately on 28 February 2016 for consultation
meetings.
Since then, the MPMC has continued to meet on a
monthly basis and can report that:
·
We have held
meetings with both Rabbis and discussions as to the future rabbinic leadership
of the new community are ongoing.
·
WLS held its AGM
on 26 May 2016, amending its constitution to provide for a dissolution clause and
the procedure leading to a vote as to whether or not its members wish to
establish a new single community.
·
Bet Tikvah’s AGM
is due to take place on Sunday, 3 July 2016, at which a constitutional
amendment allowing for postal votes for a dissolution vote will be proposed.
·
There have and
continue to be a number of joint services between both communities: a joint
service has been planned for Simchat Torah.
·
The vote: 11.00, Sunday, 25 September 2016. Simultaneous
EGMs will take place at each synagogue when each community, at the
recommendation of their respective councils, will propose to dissolve and
re-form as a single community. It is hoped that an announcement with the
results will be made at around 12.30pm on the same day.
·
Ballot papers
will be sent to members of both communities in good time, so that any who are
unable to attend on 25 September 2016 have sufficient time to return a postal
vote.
As always, if any member has any concerns or would
like to discuss any of the issues relating to the merger please contact any
member of the MPMC.
Shirley
Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall, Elliot Porte, Stewart Spivack and Richard
Stevens
The Merger Project
Management Committee
Merger Consultation Meeting
11 am - 1
pm February 28th 2016
Bet Tikvah
Synagogue
Dear
Members,
Further to
our members meeting in 2015, we are now in a position to share the Draft of the
Merger Consultation Document with you and invite you to join with the Trustees,
Officers, Council and the Rabbi to discuss this document at a meeting to be
held at the synagogue on February 28th at 11 am.
This
meeting will be led by Shirley Forbes, Elliott Porte and Stewart Spivack our
MPMC members. Woodford Liberal Synagogue
will be holding a meeting at the same time for their members.
Following
separate Council meetings of both shuls in December 2015 and January 2016 and a
meeting of both Councils with their Trustees and Rabbis held on 31st
January 2016, we will be focussing on three key areas, as per the agenda
below, which were the areas discussed at
the meeting 31st
January. As there is limited time at
this meeting we will not be focussing on non-contentious topics, or indeed on
more complex issues e.g. staffing and contracts of employment and details
relating to the harmonising of the fee structure.
We acknowledge there may be differences of opinion on some issues but we
ask that we approach the meeting with open minds and mutual respect for those
who may not share our point of view.
For those receiving this letter by email, you will find a copy of the
Merger Consultation Document attached. The
document and all appendices can be found on the Bet Tikvah blog. If you are receiving this letter by post then
please note that it is a large document and we are not able to send it out to
all members. There will be a copy of the
document and its appendices available to read in the office. If you would like a print copy, please
contact Anne who will either send you a copy or ask for an email address she
can send it to on your behalf. A few print
copies will be available on 28th February.
10.30 am Refreshments available
Agenda - all timings are
approximate but the meeting will start promptly at 11.00 am
11.00 am Introduction
11.15 am Religious practice and related issues
12.00 noon Long term location strategy
12.30 pm Timeline of the
merger
12.45 pm Conclusion
I look forward to seeing many of our members
at this meeting. Please do note,
however, that the purpose of this meeting is to discuss progress towards the
merger and to share information. It is
not an EGM and should any vote be taken, this will be to gauge opinion and will
not be binding.
Yours,
Shirley Forbes, Elliott Porte, Stewart Spivack
(MPMC, BT)
Cc Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall, Richard Stevens
(MPMC, WLS)
Merger Consultation Document
14 February 2016
Contents: Page
No.
1. Introduction 2
2. Rites and
Practices 3
3. Rabbinic
leadership 4
4. Constitution
5
5. Membership 6
6. Finance 7
7. Burial
and Cremation 8
8. Education 9
9. Social
and Events 10
10. Building 11
11. Concluding
comments 12
Appendices:
A: Report of R & P Project Group
B: B1 to B3 BT Accounts and WLS Accounts
C: Burial and Cremation Schemes – a comparison
D: D1 and D2 Overage tables 2015 for BT and WLS
E: Membership maps
Shirley
Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall,
Elliott
Porte, Stewart Spivack, Richard Stevens
Merger Project Management Committee
1. Introduction
1.1
Background
For the past year, senior members of Bet Tikvah Synagogue (‘BT’) and
Woodford Liberal Synagogue (‘WLS’) have been considering the possibility of a
merger of the two communities. The Merger Project Management Committee (‘MPMC’)
was formed to identify what the communities have in common, where we differ and
how a merger, if ratified by the members of each synagogue, might proceed.
1.2
Why
merge?
Membership of both communities has been slowly but steadily declining in
recent years: the reality is that each year the gains we make in new members
are fewer than the number of members we sadly lose. Consequently, a merged
synagogue with a combined membership in excess of 600 offers an opportunity to
secure the medium to long-term future of both communities. Of course, there are
many factors which need to be taken into account and planned for in order for
both communities to reach a decision as to whether a merger is, ultimately, in
their respective best interests. This document is the beginning of that
decision-making process.
1.3
Provisional
timeline
The timeline below shows the progress we have made to date and some of
the key milestones there may be on the way to a possible merger on 1 January
2017.
Late 2014 Early 2015 Mid 2015 Mid/late 2015 Dec 2015 Jan/Feb 2016
Initial talks MPMC forms
Sub-committees MPMC publishes
MCD 1) 31 Jan joint council meeting
form and meet monthly
reports first draft 2) Feb: MCD published
sent to
councils 3) 28 Feb members’ consultation
meetings at
BT and WLS
From Feb 2016 Jan-Sept 2016 24-26 June 2015 Mid 2016
Autumn 2016
1 Jan 2017
MPMC and sub-committees More shared events Community MPMC to publish EGMs to vote Merger date,
action issues identified in and services with Weekend Merger
Proposal for/against if ratified
consultation meetings increasing regularity Document the merger
1.4
What is
the purpose of this the Merger Consultation Document (‘MCD’)?
Its contents are:
·
focused more on principle and strategy,
rather than the minutiae, although you will find plenty of detail in the
appendices;
·
to be used as a trigger for dialogue between
members to identify issues which may need to be covered before EGMs of both
synagogues are convened in the Autumn of 2016 to decide whether or not to
merge.
1.5
How is
the MCD structured?
There are
executive summaries of nine separate functions or features of the two
synagogues, comparing what the two communities share in common and identifying where we differ. In some cases, options are identified as possible
solutions/ways forward, but none of these options have been pre-determined by
anyone. The role of the MPMC has been to consider some of the goals a merged
community might have, and how we might achieve them. We are now sharing our
thoughts with you, including the minutes of the first joint meeting of both
councils which discussed several of the key issues on 31 January. Please take
this document at face-value – as a catalyst for discussion. Your comments and
feedback are most certainly welcome, for that is the main objective of this
stage of the process.
2. Rites and Practices
2.1 Background
Both synagogues have R&P/Religious Affairs committees and so it was
decided to bring together a representative group from these committees to form
the R&P Project Team. Under its terms of reference, the R&P Project
Team has looked to highlight where similarities exist but also to show the
differences in approach and minchag - when and where they arise.
2.2 Findings
The R&P Project Team’s detailed analysis of Shabbat and festival
services (see Appendix A) reveals
that, overall, there are substantial similarities between the practices of both
synagogues but differences do exist. In the main these differences relate to:
·
Variations in the reading of the Torah and
structuring of Shabbat services. Whereas BT follows the ULPS lectionary of
weekly parasha, WLS uses the three-year Torah cycle, indispersed with a number
of monthly study services where the Torah is not read. Both synagogues have family
services although WLS has a less formal approach e.g. the Torah is not always read.
·
Whereas both synagogues use Siddur Lev Chadash, WLS
tends to vary its services more than BT.
·
The scrolls are paraded each Shabbat morning in BT
but this practice is not followed in WLS, except on Erev Simchat Torah.
·
WLS does not hold festival morning services.
·
BT takes a more ‘traditional’ approach to the
wearing of kippot by males and expects one to be worn with the tallit, as
appropriate. WLS takes the view that this is a matter of discretion for the
individual, although in practice the vast majority of males wear a kippah and
the majority of males wear the tallit.
·
The wearing of the kippah and tallit is a matter of
discretion for females at both WLS and BT, with a minority wearing either or
both at WLS and BT.
·
WLS regularly has an organ accompaniment at
services. BT tends to use their organist during Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur
services and Simchat Torah. Both
synagogues are active in encouraging children and young people to take part in
services.
Several of the above differences of approach were discussed at the joint
council/trustees meeting on 31 January (see the minutes of that meeting at
Section 11 of this document). The choice of lectionary (see the first bullet
point above) was not discussed on 31 January, but that is one area where
further discussion is also still required.
2.3 Conclusions
While it is right that these differences are highlighted, the R&P
Project Team does not envisage any of these issues to be obstructions to the
merger process. Discussions are ongoing between
representatives of the two congregations in order to find ways forward and appropriate
compromises. In fact, this process has already started as the minutes of the joint
council/trustees meeting on 31 January 2016 show. Although no binding
agreements were made on any of the issues discussed on 31 January, the minutes
record the ‘consensus position’ of the majority of those present.
Wherever possible, jointly agreed positions on such issues should be
reached and published in the Merger Proposal Document.
3. Rabbinic leadership
3.1 Background
Both communities
have enjoyed a long, happy and fruitful relationship with their existing
rabbis:
· Rabbi David Hulbert, who has been
at BT for 25 years and currently works on a 50% contract; and
· Rabbi Richard Jacobi, has served as
the rabbi at WLS for over 7 years, approximately four years of which has been
on a 100% contract. Confidential negotiations are presently ongoing with regard
to a change in the terms and conditions of his contract of employment.
3.2 Possible
rabbinic models
When considering
the rabbinic provision for a merged community, the present incumbents are,
clearly, at the forefront of our minds. That said, the MPMC has been obliged to consider a number of possible
future rabbinic models should the merger proceed, a non-exclusive list of which
includes:
· The retention of the existing rabbis on terms and
conditions to be agreed;
· The combination of a senior rabbi plus a more
junior or student rabbi; and
· A single, senior rabbi.
3.3 Consultation
Whilst
some tentative, informal discussions have taken place with each rabbi, it has,
thus far, been premature to explore the detail, not least because the picture
of what a new merged community might look like needs to be clearer for such
discussions to be meaningful. However, both rabbis have indicated that they are
interested in continuing to serve a merged community. It is the MPMC’s
intention to explore such discussions with both rabbis shortly after each
synagogue’s Consultation Meeting in 2016
4. Constitution
4.1 Background
BT and
WLS are both currently unincorporated
associations, which are registered charities. The day to day functions of
each synagogue is overseen by their respective elected councils. However, while
all members of WLS’s council are trustees of WLS, the trustees of BT do not serve
on BT’s council.
4.2 WLS’s
change of status to a Company limited by guarantee
It is
considered both good practice and preferable for a synagogue to be a company limited by guarantee, as
opposed to an unincorporated association. This is because the directors and
members of a limited company are not potentially liable for the debts of the
company, whereas the trustees and members of an unincorporated association risk
personal exposure in the event that the unincorporated association is unable to
pay its debts. Following a similar procedure adopted by Liberal Judaism, WLS is
in the process of forming a company limited by guarantee. The intention is that
WLS’s assets will be transferred to the company in 2016 once the approval of
the Charity Commissioners has been obtained. WLS would then operate through the
company instead of the current unincorporated association. The change in WLS’s
legal status will happen irrespective of the outcome of any merger vote.
4.3 Status of the merged community
The MPMC recommends that the merged synagogue should be a company
limited by guarantee and that it makes practical sense to use WLS’s company as
the vehicle for the merged community. So, if and when a merger is agreed:
·
the assets of BT would be transferred to the
company;
·
pre-agreed amendments to the constitution of the
company would be made to move the company from WLS’s constitution to the pre-agreed
constitution of the merged synagogues; and
·
the company would change its name to the name of
the merged synagogue.
4.4 Structure
of the merged community
·
Ownership: A
company limited by guarantee does not have shareholders. Instead, all full
members of the synagogue will be members of the company, each guaranteeing the
debts of the company, limited to £1 per member. In other words, in the unlikely
event that the company went insolvent, the limit of any member’s liability
would be their £1 guarantee.
·
Management: The
company would be run by a Board of Directors, which would be the new
synagogue’s council. To avoid confusion, the Board would still be referred to
as the ‘Council’.
·
Charitable
Trustees: The company would still be a registered charity. It is proposed that
those members of the company who hold the traditional synagogue positions of
Chair, Vice Chair(s), Honorary Secretary and Treasurer(s) would be the
charitable trustees, all of whom would also be required to be directors of the
company.
4.5
The
composition of the Board of the company (i.e. the Council)
It is envisaged that 12-14
directors will be elected by the members of the merged community to form the
Board/Council of the merged synagogue.
4.6 Presidents,
Life Vice-Presidents and annually elected Vice Presidents
These positions will filled at
the first meeting of members after the merger.
5. Membership
5.1 Background
There are a number of ways in which a formal relationship is capable of
being made with each synagogue:
·
‘Full member’
– for Jewish members aged 21 or over (both BT and WLS);
·
‘Associate
member’ - WLS: children of WLS members aged between 16 and 21; BT: as per
‘Associate Member’ in 5.2 below.
·
‘Junior
Member’ - BT: for Jewish members aged between 21 and 25
·
‘Friend’
- WLS only: for non-Jewish persons, which is popular with partners of Jewish
members and persons undergoing a conversion programme. Friends do not have
voting rights but they pay the equivalent of the full membership fee and have full
burial/cremation rights.
5.2 Proposed membership/association classes of
the merged synagogue:
Subject to the comments of members, the MPMC is considering recommending
the following for the merged synagogue:
·
‘Full member’ – as
above for Jewish members aged 21 or over;
·
‘Youth
member’ – open for any Jewish young person between the aged of 18 and 25
years, who has all the rights of a Full member, the only distinction being a
discounted membership fee which is set annually by the Treasurers.
·
‘Associate
member’: a person who is a full member of another synagogue (e.g. to
preserve burial/funeral arrangements) but who wishes to retain a relationship
with the merged synagogue.[1]
·
‘Child
member’ – children under the age of 18 of Full members, Youth Members and
Friends. They shall be automatically members of the merged synagogue with
Burial and Cremation rights but no voting rights.
·
‘Friend’
– as above and not strictly ‘members’. For non-Jewish persons only.
5.3 What
will membership of the merged synagogue include?
Membership of the merged synagogue will come with a number of ‘benefits
(including but not limited to)’:
·
membership of the Edgwarebury and Cheshunt Burial
and Cremation Scheme;
·
the right to attend services, social events and meetings
of the members of the synagogue;
·
eligibility to serve on the synagogue council and
council committees;
·
the right to vote at general meetings.
These rights are NOT severable
in consideration for a discounted fee. The only exceptions are in respect of:
·
Associate members (see above), who have funeral
provision at another synagogue where they are still a member; and
·
Full members who are NOT members of another
synagogue but who have maintained burial arrangements at another synagogue.
6. Finance
6.1 Background: The 2016 membership
fees for BT and WLS are:
| BT[2] |
WLS |
|
| Synagogue fees: Single/Couple |
£218 / £410 |
£285 / £560 |
| Burial contributions and ground fees |
£70 / £140 |
£65 / £130 |
| Total: (Single/Couple) |
£288 / £550 |
£350 / £690 |
6.2 Accounts
Copies of the last set of accounts for each synagogue filed at the
Charities Commission are attached at Appendices
B1 to B3.
6.3 Meeting
of treasurers
The treasurers of the synagogues have met and have compared present expenditure and projected expenditure post-merger.
Expenditure for the last completed financial year for both BT and WLS was
compared line by line. Most expenditure is comparable pro rata to membership. The
main differences are:
·
the cost of the Rabbis: due to the significant
difference in hours and expenses, WLS overall expenditure is much higher than
BT. This broadly explains the differential in the membership fees.
·
the cost of administrators and caretakers:
BT employs an administrator for more hours than WLS and their caretaker also
undertakes minor repairs and upkeep of the building. BT pays around £3,000 more
p.a. for these services.
6.4
What initial savings will there be if there is a merger?
If the merger proceeds, whilst there are still two buildings
to run and maintain, assuming all things remain equal, the only initial savings
which the Treasurers envisage are in the printing of the synagogue magazine as
only one would be required. However, this is not expected to be a significant
saving.
6.5 What
would happen to the financial systems after a merger?
·
The records/systems will need to be
integrated. WLS uses Sage whereas BT use an Excel system. The merged synagogue
would probably move to the more sophisticated Sage software as this seems to be
the more comprehensive accounting platform.
·
Synchronising accounting years and the
annual review of fees will be needed. BT is moving to a calendar membership
year for 2016 like WLS.
6.7 How do
the synagogues’ various other fees compare?
| BT |
WLS |
|
| B’nei Mitzvah |
Ask for a £100 donation |
£250 plus £25 per lesson |
| Cheder |
N/A |
£80 per year per child |
| HHD tickets |
Ask for a donation from non-members (but not from family of
members) |
£25 per ticket for non-members |
| Membership |
£270 (2015) |
£340 (2015) |
| Weddings |
£550 in the synagogue, £700 at other locations. |
£700 plus £120 for the hire of a minibus to transport the choir
when in another location, distance more than 20 miles. |
7. Burial and Cremation
7.1 Background
Both BT and WLS are members of LJ’s Edgwarebury and Cheshunt Burial and
Cremation Scheme (the ‘LJ Scheme’). Such membership would continue post-merger.
Each synagogue operates its own ‘sub-scheme’ for administering the funerals of
its members (the ‘BT Scheme’ and the ‘WLS Scheme’ respectively).
7.2 WLS
Scheme and BT Scheme compared
A table comparing the two existing schemes is attached at Appendix C. The schemes are
substantially similar. It is not envisaged that there will be any difficulty in
harmonising the terms of both schemes and separating the combined schemes’
funds in accounts purely dedicated to administering the funerals of members of
the merged community.
7.3 How
much money do the two schemes currently hold?
The combined sum of over £270,000: BT holds approximately £165,000 and
WLS in excess of £105,000. Given the age demographics of each congregation,
these figures are broadly similar (as BT’s average age is higher). With around
£450 per member under the control of the combined scheme, it is considered a
healthy position to be in.
7.4 How
have the BT and WLS Schemes been financed? Will this change?
Part of the membership fees of both synagogues (and the fees for Friends
of WLS) covers the annual cost of running the BT Scheme (£30 for 2015) and the
WLS Scheme (£25 for 2015) as well as Ground Fees which are levied centrally on
both communities by LJ (£40 for 2015). The latter covers the cost of
maintaining and running LJ’s cemeteries at Edgwarebury and Cheshunt as well as
the crematorium costs for cremations.
7.5 What
are the entrance requirements?
LJ levies a one off entrance fee (‘overage’) for new members aged 55 and
over. In addition, WLS charges an overage to new members who join aged 50 and
over. BT has a similar policy of new members aged 45 and over. In all cases,
the older the new member, the higher the overage. This is necessary in order to
‘equalise’ contributions of members who wish to join the scheme later in life.
It has been suggested that the merged community’s scheme will levy an overage
charge from the age of 50 so as not to be a deterrent to young families
joining.
Overage fees need to be paid in full by BT members before they are
admitted to the BT Scheme. At WLS, in the few cases where an overage has been
paid in instalments, as long as all due instalments have been paid, as agreed,
then the member is admitted to and remains in the WLS Scheme.
By way of an example, the WLS 2015 overage table can be found at Appendix D1. The BT equivalent is found
at Appendix D2.
8. Education
8.1
Background (Cheder)
WLS’s cheder has become increasingly popular over the last eight years,
largely as a consequence of former cheder head teacher, Josh Newham’s hard
work, management and curriculum. Josh stepped down as the head teacher in
September shortly before he became a father. The cheder is still thriving under
its new leadership with around 25-30 students on the Cheder/Yachdav/Kabbalat Torah
programmes. WLS has a tradition of developing some of its post-B’nei Mitzvah children
into cheder teachers/support staff and this is expected to continue.
8.2
Current and proposed Cheder arrangements
From September 2015, due to there being only two students on the roll, it
was agreed that BT would discontinue its cheder and encourage its students to
attend WLS’s cheder. One BT family now sends its children to WLS’s cheder. The
merged community’s cheder would continue at WLS for the time being.
8.3
Cheder Fees
WLS currently charges £80 per annum per child as a contribution towards
the overall cost of the cheder. The cheder is not and will not ever be
self-funding; it is a service provided by the synagogue to the children of its
adult members and will continue to be funded, for the most part, from central
funds. Although BT did not charge for
their cheder, their current and future members will make the same contributions
for their children as the parents of WLS members.
8.4
B’nei Mitzvah teaching
B’nei Mitzvah services will continue to be held at the student’s ‘home’
synagogue, with the ‘home’ synagogue’s rabbi being responsible overall for the
supervision and preparation of the student. WLS has introduced an optional
programme for B’Nei Mitzvah children on Monday evenings during term time during
which both group and one-to one tuition takes place at a charge of £25]per
evening. Students have been and will continue to be taught their portion
outside the ‘Monday night club’. Subject to exceptions which may be made in the
case of students with specific learning support issues, any student who wishes
to celebrate their B’nei Mitzvah will we expected to have attended the cheder
at WLS for at least two years prior to the date of their B’nei Mitzvah.
8.5
B’nei Mitzvah fees
See 6.7 above.
8.6
Adult education
·
BT: Rabbi
David Hulbert runs Kedem at BT for
two terms per year: two topics per term, which starts after HHD and re-starts
in the new year. There is no charge for BT members, although non-shul members
pay a voluntary contribution. It runs in total for around 20 weeks per year.
·
WLS: Study Buddies runs
infrequently in 4 to 6 week blocks four or five times per year. There are/are no fees for attending Study
Buddies.
·
Post-merger:
It makes sense to co-ordinate or merge the two adult education
programmes in accordance with rabbinic advice and subject to the comments of
the regular attendees, which will be sought.
9. Social & Events
9.1 Background
The two synagogues have, for some time on an ad hoc basis, invited
members to each other’s events. This has developed over the last 12 months to
the extent that there have been and continue to be more social events which are
open to members of both communities. It
is the MPMC’s belief that if the communities are to merge successfully, we need
to establish a single social events calendar, which are striving to do for
2016.
9.2 What
cross-community events have taken place?
Since the merger was raised as a possibility, we have held a number of
joint services and the following successful events have been held, which have
included:
·
Danny Rich addressing members of BT and WLS (at
BT);
·
Ladies Quiz (at BT);
·
Music Event (at WLS)
·
Combined Quiz (All Saints Church, Woodford Green)
9.3 What
cross-community events are taking place in 2016?
The following events are already being planned for 2016:
·
Community Weekend in Danbury (24-26 June)
·
Barn dance (September 2016)
In addition, guest speakers and entertainers are being contacted to
arrange dates for other cross-community events as well organised tours and museum visits.
10. Buildings
10.1 Background
Both communities own the freehold titles of their respective
buildings at Marlborough Road and Perrymans Farm Road. Various valuations have
been obtained on both sites in 2015, the combined value of which is upwards of
£1.4m, without planning permission. Planning permission for redevelopment on
either site is likely to increase the overall valuation substantially.
10.2 Will we move before the merger?
No. The plan is that if we do merge, we do so as one
community with two buildings, at least for the short to medium term. It is
acknowledged by the MPMC that some members from both communities, particularly
longstanding ones, have a strong attachment to their current spiritual home. One
of the few decisions which the MPMC has made is that if a merger is to happen,
it will not be delayed until a suitable site to accommodate the merged
community is identified, bought and developed/refurbished. In the same way
that, these days, a married couple does not necessarily each sell up their
individual homes for something ‘bigger’ or ‘better’ to start immediately on
their wedding day, the same applies to the possible union between BT and
WLS. A ‘two site solution’ (if you will)
– at least on a temporary basis – is, the way forward IF the communities decide
to merge. If there is a meeting of minds – on a practical, religious and
ideological basis, the merger should work and the finding of permanent home can
wait until the right opportunity arises, or until the merged community
‘naturally’ feels the pull in one direction or the other. To do everything simultaneously risks the
wrong decision being made (i.e. rushing into acquiring a compromise location
which, ultimately, pleases no one) or delaying everything indefinitely because
the ‘right’ location cannot be found.
10.3
What are the long term location
possibilities?
·
Redeveloping either site and selling
the other;
·
A new location (if both existing
properties are sold).
-
e.g. Sinclair House, but that site
lacks easy links to public transport.
·
A ‘Mosaic model’
based on the model adopted by Middlesex New Synagogue, Hatch End Masorti and
Harrow & Wembley Progressive, which resulted in a single,
1,200-member community.
·
A cross-community/multi-faith
site: this is something which London Borough of Redbridge might be interested
in exploring.
10.4
How might we identify the ‘right’
location?
There is no single factor which will determine the long term location(s)
of a merged community. Members must have realistic expectations as to how and
when the ‘right’ location may emerge. Work has been undertaken by the MPMC to
map where the members of each synagogue currently live and their ages – see Appendix E. This data will be a
useful reference point when future locations are being considered, but other
critical factors which will need to be considered include:
·
The wishes of members who are actively involved at
either synagogue (for any reason), as opposed to those who NEVER attend either
synagogue;
·
The proximity of public transport links;
·
Affordability;
·
Parking facilities; and
·
The location of new members/the anticipated
location of future members.
Concluding comments
Now that
you have read the Merger Consultation Document, it is also recommended that you
read the minutes of the joint meeting of the councils/trustees of both
synagogues which took place on 31 January 2016.
Please do
remember that the purpose of this document is that it is to be used by the rabbis,
councils and members of both synagogues to promote discussion of key issues
relating to the proposed merger and how we might resolve them. We have not
sought to provide all the ‘answers’, but it is hoped that the work we have done
thus far will help us all, collectively, to make an informed decision in due
course as to what is in the best interests of each of our communities.
Shirley
Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall,
Elliott
Porte, Stewart Spivack, Richard Stevens
Merger Project Management Committee
14 February 2016
[1] This does not include members who transfer between LJ-affiliated
synagogues who are part of the Edgwarebury and Cheshunt Burial and Cremation
Scheme: they become full members of their new synagogue with burial/cremation
arrangements (but not synagogue membership) retained at their previous
synagogue
Joint Statement from the members of the Woodford Liberal Synagogue and Bet Tikvah Merger Project Management Committee ('MPMC')
December 2015
We are pleased to inform
members that following the recent MPMC meeting, we have now drawn together the reports
from the various sub-groups into a draft Merger Consultation Document (‘MCD’)
and are working on the final version of the MCD, which will shortly be shared
with the rabbis and lay leaders of both communities.
We have also now
established the timetable for the consultation process which was outlined in our
last statement.
·
Both Councils will have met by mid-January
to discuss the MCD.
·
On the morning of Sunday, 31st
January, there will be a joint meeting of the councils, rabbis and other
leaders of both communities to review the MCD and discuss key issues. The start
time will be confirmed shortly.
·
Members of both communities will then be invited to separate meetings on
Sunday, 28th February, to
review the MCD and discuss key issues.
Further details will be sent out early in 2016. Please diarise this date
now!
The MPMC will continue to
meet regularly to review feedback after each meeting and to ensure that the
consultation process is open to everyone.
Again, we would also
remind members that, at the present time, while we are beginning to see the
positive ways in which this merger may impact on both communities, no decision
has been taken as yet. Any final
decision must to be taken at separate extraordinary general meetings (‘EGMs’)
of the members of each synagogue. At
some point in 2016, probably after the High Holy Days, the MPMC may recommend
to both Councils that they hold EGMs to hold a formal vote on whether the two
synagogues should merge.
As always, if any member
has any concerns or would like to discuss any of the issues relating to the
merger please contact any member of the MPMC.
Shirley Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall, Elliot Porte, Stewart
Spivack
and Richard Stevens
The Merger Project Management Committee
The Merger Project Management Committee
Statement from the members of the Woodford Liberal Synagogue and Bet Tikvah Merger Project Management Committee ('MPMC')
November 2015
We are pleased to inform
members that following the recent MPMC meeting, we are now drawing together reports from the
various sub-groups into a draft Merger Consultation Document.
We aim to circulate the
Merger Consultation Document in December, initially to the rabbis and council
members of both synagogues only, for discussion and feedback. The plan is to
incorporate any such feedback in a revised version of the Merger Consultation Document,
which will be published and distributed to the members of both synagogues in
early 2016, following which separate members’ consultation meetings will take
place at each synagogue.
The Merger Consultation
Document will show how the groups working on the merger view the way a merged
synagogue might look and will give members the opportunity to engage in the
ongoing discussion about the merger.
During 2016, as explained
in earlier updates, we will be holding further joint events, including more
combined services so that members of both synagogues can begin to get an
increasing sense of how we could operate as one community.
We would also remind
members that, at the present time, while we are beginning to see the positive
ways in which this merger may impact on both communities, no decision has been
taken as yet. Any final decision must to
be taken at separate extraordinary general meetings (‘EGMs’) of the members of
each synagogue. At some point in 2016, probably
after the High Holy Days, the MPMC may recommend to both Councils that they
hold EGMs to hold a formal vote on whether the two synagogues should merge.
As always, if any member
has any concerns or would like to discuss any of the issues relating to the
merger please contact any member of the MPMC.
Shirley Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall, Elliot Porte,
Stewart Spivack & Richard Stevens
The Merger Project Management Committee
Joint statement from the Woodford Liberal
Synagogue and Bet Tikvah Merger Project
Management Committee ('MPMC')
The MPMC met again for
the first time since the the summer holidays, shortly after the HHD. We are pleased to
report that we are still on track to produce a Merger Consultation Document
which we intend to put before separate meetings of the members of each
synagogue before the end of 2015. As previously advised, this document and the
consultation meetings are members' opportunity to feed back to the MPMC on the
process and some of the plans we have. It will
not be until some time into 2016 that EGMs of both communities would be called
for a formal vote.
Part of the MPMC's
strategy in this process has been (and continues to be) to hold more joint
events and services, so that the two communities do almost become 'one'
at least for a short time, by the HHD in 2016. This does not mean that a merger
is a 'fair accompli. Far from it. The MPMC believes that members will be better
informed to vote for or against a merger having had the experience of more
combined events and services, than the occasional ones which we have held
successfully this far.
One of the
centre-pieces of the next 12 months will be a combined community weekend on
24/25/26 June in the Essex countryside. Overnight accommodation at a modest
price will be available and the venues we have in mind are all within an hour
of both synagogues, so members will also have the option of coming for the day.
As well as being an excellent way of bringing both communities closer
together, the weekend promises 'something for all' - whether you are nine (or
younger) or ninety - Friday and Shabbat services in the open air (possibly in a
marquee - weather permitting), workshops and physical activities for both
children and adults. Please reserve the weekend in your diaries.
More details
regarding all of the above will be published in our next monthly update.
As always, if any member
has any concerns or would like to discuss any of the issues relating to the
merger please contact any member of the MPMC.
Shirley
Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall, Elliot Porte, Stewart Spivack and Richard
Stevens
The Merger Project Management Committee
The Merger Project Management Committee
Update
from the members of the Woodford Liberal Synagogue and Bet Tikvah Merger
Project Management Committee ('MPMC')
Since publishing our joint statement dated 10 June 2015, the MPMC is pleased to report that good progress is being made with regard
to the possible merger of the two synagogues. The MPMC is now instructing the various
sub-committees to make written proposals as to:
·
the further pre-merger steps which
now need to be taken to harmonise the key functions of both synagogues (e.g. regarding
services, burial and cremation, membership etc); and
·
how the merged synagogue may operate
post-merger in relation to those key functions, constitutional matters,
rabbinic leadership and the strategy in relation to identifying the long-term
location of the ‘home’ of the merged community.
The MPMC will then publish and circulate a merger
consultation document (‘MCD’) in the Autumn which contains the above proposals.
Following publication of the MCD, each community will hold separate
consultation meetings (date to be confirmed in due course), the purpose of which
will be:
·
to explain and discuss the proposals
in more detail;
·
to ascertain the extent of
support within each community for each proposal;
·
for alternative proposals (where
appropriate) to be referred back to the MPMC and sub-committees for further
consideration.
No final decision ‘to merge’ or ‘not to
merge’ will be made at these consultation meetings. If and when the MPMC is of
the opinion that a common vision is shared by a significant proportion of both
communities and is ready to recommend that the merger goes ahead, each
synagogue will be asked to hold an extraordinary general meeting to vote on the
potential merger.
Shalom and warm regards,
Shirley Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall, Elliot
Porte, Stewart Spivack and
Richard Stevens
Richard Stevens
The Merger Project Management Committee
12 July 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10th June 2015
Joint Statement
from the members of the Woodford Liberal Synagogue and Bet Tikvah Merger
Project Management Committee ('MPMC')
As members of both Woodford Liberal Synagogue (‘WLS’) and Bet Tikvah
(‘BT’) are aware, the councils of both communities have been given a mandate by
their respective members to explore the possibility of a merger. As a
consequence, the Merger Project Management Committee ('MPMC') was created.
The MPMC has had initial meetings and is now meeting monthly to review
progress towards the merger. The purpose
of this statement, issued by the MPMC, is to provide members with information
as to how these discussions are progressing.
Following each meeting, the MPMC intends sending further statements
summarising developments.
The MPMC has created a number of small sub-committees comprised of
members from both communities to discuss how we could possibly harmonise the
main functions of the two synagogues should the merger proceed. It is not the
intention of this statement to disseminate the minutiae of every discussion of each
sub-committee. However, the MPMC is acutely aware that the membership of both
synagogues will expect and require to be consulted and informed as to the
progress being made in these discussions, which will, of course, be reported to
each council on a regular basis. If and when negotiations are at a more
advanced stage and BEFORE any merger resolution is put separately to the
members of WLS and BT, each synagogue will hold at least one further closed
meeting of its members, perhaps in the Autumn of 2015. At
such meetings, each synagogue’s members of the MPMC and those serving on the
merger sub-committees will report, answer questions and promote discussion on
key issues.
It is still ‘early days’ but we believe members would find it useful to
read the table below, which sets out the current position in respect of each of
the merger sub-committees.
If the two synagogues are to merge successfully, the MPMC believes that the
first step is to bring the communities closer together by meeting socially and
sharing community events. So, what steps have we made/are we making in this
regard?
1. On 2 June 2015, Danny Rich,
the Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism, addressed members of both communities
at BT. Having met both chairs, Jonny Hurst and Stewart Spivack, earlier in the
evening, Danny spoke widely on the subjects of inclusivity, respect and
compromise, all of which are key issues in any merger discussions. Danny's
address was followed by a Q and A session and refreshments. For those who did
not attend, the mood was optimistic and convivial and the MPMC believes that
the evening has helped to lay strong foundations for further discussions.
Thanks go to BT for hosting and David Gold for acting as the MC, as well as
Danny Rich for sparing his time and sharing his thoughts with us all.
2. The MPMC recognises that
Woodford's vibrant cheder is one of its strengths. So, from September 2015, the
synagogues will have one cheder, which will be run from Woodford. The reason
for this is that Woodford's cheder has grown year on year for the last 8 years
(with around 30 children currently on the cheder/Kabbalat Torah register). In
contrast, Bet Tikvah only currently has two children who regularly attend its
cheder.
3. WLS will be hosting a
Ladies Quiz for members of both communities on Tuesday 14th July.
4. A Simchat Torah service for both
communities will take place on 11/12 October 2015, when we will honour two
members of each community.
5. We will be holding
joint Shabbat Services on 18 July 2015 at WLS and 8 August 2015 at BT and hope
that many members from both communities will be able to attend.
The table below shows the sub-committee membership and progress:
Sub-committee
|
WLS member(s)
|
BT member(s)
|
Latest position
|
Burial and Cremation
|
Jonny
Hurst
|
Stewart
Spivack
|
Brief,
initial discussions have taken place. A longer meeting is planned in
June/July between Stewart and Jonny to explore a plan to harmonise the Burial
and Cremation Schemes of WLS and BT if the merger proceeds. The early
indications are that this will be achievable.
|
Education
(WLS New Generations Committee)
|
Di
Kamall
Sharon
Pinhas
Emma
Sandler
Josh
Newham
Emma
James
Marco
Lieberskind
|
Michelle
Marks
We are
waiting for confirmation of the second member
|
Because
a merger of the chadarim is happening from September 2015, instead of forming
another merger sub-committee, two members of BT have been invited to join
WLS’ New Generations Committee, whose remit includes WLS’s cheder.
|
Events, Membership
|
David
Gold
Jenny
Sclaire Ruth Harris
Sue
Powell
|
Paula
Sumray
Helen
Freedman
Jackie
Morrison
|
2 June:
Danny Rich/Social at BT.
14
July: Ladies Quiz at WLS.
|
PR
|
Merle
Muswell Simon Rothstein
|
David
Forbes
Judith
Konzon
|
This
group will start work in the autumn to bring together synagogue publications and
share information about progress with the wider community.
|
Finance
|
Tina
Gold
Mel Millenbach
|
Ashley
Marks
Sidney
Sanders
Rob
Konzon
|
The
Finance group have had a number of meetings and have been asked to submit
their first update to the MPMC July meeting.
|
Legal
|
Jonny
Hurst
Ben
Fryer
|
Shirley
Forbes
John
Morrison
|
A
meeting is taking place on 17 June to make progress on the contents of the
possible constitution.
|
Membership Data Group
|
Warran
Rolnis
Adrian
Samuels
|
Stewart
Spivack
Ashley
Marks
|
A joint
initiative is taking place to collate the postcodes of the members of both
WLS and BT and to reflect this data on a map. This may help to inform us as
to the optimum location should the merger proceed.
|
Property
|
Ian
Wynch
Edward
Taub
Ivor
Kirstein
|
John
Morrison
Zachary
Forbes
|
Valuations
of both buildings are to be obtained. Real estate agents are then to be
instructed to look for premises in the London Borough of Redbridge.
|
Rites and Practices
|
Hilton Ellis
Jan
Ellis
Ben
Glassman
Alice
Wilcock
|
Gary
Freedman
Sidney
Sanders
Michelle
Marks
Elliott
Porte
|
A
meeting took place on 1 June when matters of the religious practices and
principles of both shuls were discussed.
A further meeting is scheduled for 3 August to make progress on the
issues discussed. While there are, as expected, some areas of difference
which will need further consideration, the MPMC is pleased to report that
there is considerable common ground.
|
We hope you will appreciate the extensive work which has already been
put into exploring the merger of our two communities. We would like to take
this opportunity of thanking members of all the merger sub-committees for their
ongoing commitment and effort to this project.
Finally, the MPMC recognises that talk of possible changes will, for some members,
cause anxiety. The ultimate decision as to whether or not the merger proceeds
will, of course, remain solely with the members of both communities. It is a
complicated process and, consequently, it is fair to say that neither outcome
is more or less likely at this stage. Should members have any particular queries
or concerns, please do email or telephone your synagogue's current chair.
BT: Stewart Spivack stewart.spivack@gmail.com
07806 536243
Shalom and warm regards,
Shirley Forbes, Jonny Hurst, Bob Kamall, Elliot Porte, Stewart Spivack and
Richard Stevens
The
Merger Project Management Committee
10 June 2015
