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Kingston Liberal Synagogue - Annual Report 2017 A review of our 50th anniversary year

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Kingston<br />

Liberal<br />

Synagogue<br />

A review of our 50th<br />

anniversary year<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


<strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong><br />

Introduction 3<br />

Learning 6<br />

Worship 10<br />

Social & cultural 14<br />

Care 16<br />

Wider community 20<br />

Operations 22<br />

Infrastructure 23<br />

Finance 24<br />

People 26<br />

Introduction<br />

Chair’s report<br />

It was an honour and privilege to become Chair in April 20<strong>17</strong>. I am very grateful<br />

for the support I have had from Council, Rabbi René, our Emeritus Rabbi, Danny<br />

Rich, our staff and contractors, particularly our bookkeeper, our President and <strong>KLS</strong><br />

volunteers, and for all the work they have done.<br />

Craig Simmons<br />

Council’s overall aim is for <strong>KLS</strong> to be an inclusive community which provides a<br />

programme of activities that promote the religious beliefs and ethical, moral and<br />

social values of Liberal Judaism, thereby encouraging the spiritual awareness and<br />

development of all. Our members express their Judaism in different ways and<br />

our goal is to cater for them all, whether they are interested in religious aspects,<br />

learning, social and cultural activities, or involving the synagogue in the life of the<br />

local and wider community.<br />

Rather than attempt to list all our achievements in meeting this aim here, I invite<br />

you to read the following pages, assembled from the contributions of Council<br />

members, our President, Rabbi René and dedicated <strong>KLS</strong> members, who have given<br />

their time and energy to making <strong>KLS</strong> a wonderful community.<br />

3 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Introduction<br />

Craig Simmons<br />

Chair’s report<br />

We hope this new style of annual report conveys some of the warmth of the<br />

community, its wide range of activities and that it will support our endeavours<br />

to promote <strong>KLS</strong> to visitors, prospective members and other organisations. I am<br />

grateful for everyone who has contributed and to Nora Zimerman who created the<br />

design.<br />

The year marked a milestone in the development of <strong>KLS</strong> as we celebrated our 50th<br />

anniversary. It was also the start of a new, exciting era with the appointment of<br />

Rabbi René. It enabled us to look back at the strong community our founders had<br />

created and that successive generations of members continue to build on with<br />

enormous pride, expressed in particular at an outstanding anniversary service, a<br />

very special anniversary chavurah supper, and at Rabbi René’s induction. It was<br />

heart-warming to share this with the many local dignitaries and interfaith leaders<br />

who attended.<br />

It also provides an opportunity to look forward. Rabbi René has already helped us<br />

begin to address some of the challenges which we currently face. His passion for<br />

knowledge has meant we now have three regular adult learning sessions as well<br />

as his thoughtful sermons. We have also been able to expand our care team to<br />

help achieve our goal to be a responsive, caring community. Our external profile is<br />

improving once again with a number of initiatives being undertaken by the team led<br />

by Vince Daly who we welcomed back on Council in 20<strong>17</strong>. The interfaith Chanukah<br />

celebration was a superb example.<br />

We still have much to do. As well as being an ever-improving institution for existing<br />

members, we need to review the current structure of our children’s learning at<br />

Beiteinu, building on what we have and enhancing it; find new Council members<br />

and volunteers for a number of roles which members are stepping down from after<br />

many years of loyal service; promote <strong>KLS</strong> further to attract new members; and find<br />

additional revenue to meet all our costs.<br />

With imagination and the combined efforts of all members, we can achieve them.<br />

Mike Barnato<br />

President’s <strong>Report</strong><br />

My role as President is, of course, very different to that of the Chair. It is a<br />

supportive and representational role; it is not decision making and managerial.<br />

I try to avoid being either a “back seat driver” or disconnected from what’s going on.<br />

It is a fine balance.<br />

I assisted the <strong>KLS</strong> Chair, Council, Rabbi and members, as requested. This included:<br />

• Acting as a sounding board for the Chair<br />

• Contributing to Council discussion of strategic priorities<br />

• External representation with religious, civic and business institutions<br />

• At events, welcoming, thanking attendees or (for the first time) compering<br />

• Inviting potential members and friends to <strong>KLS</strong><br />

• Ongoing meeting and greeting visitors and members.<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> celebrated its 50th anniversary year in some style and welcomed the arrival of<br />

Rabbi René. Chair and Council, who are volunteers, deserve considerable praise for<br />

these achievements.<br />

Our activities are wide ranging and include Religion, Outreach, Social & Education<br />

(ROSE). Together we offer something vital - in Rabbi René’s words - “community”.<br />

I hope that <strong>KLS</strong> can move forward, with positivity and not too many hard choices. So<br />

we develop faith, fellowship, future (learning), family, funds, fun and philanthropy.<br />

4 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Introduction<br />

Rabbi René Pfertzel<br />

Rabbi’s <strong>Report</strong><br />

Following in the footsteps of two prominent Liberal rabbis, Rabbi Danny Rich and Rabbi Charley Baginsky, is an<br />

awe-inspiring adventure. When I started in August 20<strong>17</strong>, Kingston Liberal Synagogue was in the middle of its<br />

50th anniversary celebrations, and I saw a community proud of its past, well-established in the area, a proud<br />

constituent of Liberal Judaism. Already after a few weeks, I realised that working with <strong>KLS</strong> was a good match on<br />

both sides, and I am looking forward to the years ahead.<br />

My vision of a Liberal community is, in the words of the late Rabbi John Rayner, a community that is 100% liberal<br />

and 100% Jewish in its values. We have inherited a profound, meaningful and wonderful Jewish tradition, that<br />

goes back many centuries, and in our movement, we have the freedom to read and adapt it in terms relevant to<br />

our time. Everything can be questioned; nothing is beyond our reach. To achieve these two 100% goals, we have<br />

at our disposal a community that provides warmth, meaning, education for young and adults, a community that<br />

follows the rhythms of the Jewish year and the Jewish lifecycle; a community that is not afraid to question the<br />

world around and to raise a Progressive Jewish voice that finds its roots in the ethical teachings of our tradition.<br />

Outside our community, I am engaged in interfaith relationships through Kingston Interfaith Forum, and as the<br />

Jewish chaplain for Kingston University. There are many occasions to meet people from other faiths, to share our<br />

different views, and also to discuss what we want the world to become and how we can work together towards<br />

bettering our society.<br />

Our community belongs to all of us, and it thrives with all our energies put together. To paraphrase what<br />

President Kennedy once said, ‘Do not ask what the community can do for you, but ask what you can do for the<br />

community’. There is a subtle, sacred balance between the community and its members whereby we receive<br />

more than we put in. Volunteering for <strong>KLS</strong> is one of our next great projects.<br />

However, as a Progressive Jewish community, we face the same challenges as our sister congregations. We live<br />

in a world where Progressive values are widely accepted, to the point that they sometimes become indifference.<br />

I still believe that Progressiveness is very much needed in the religious world, and we have something to say to<br />

those in search of a spirituality that is not opposed to the modern world, that is not based on guilt and coercion,<br />

and that is open to endless exploration. We are also needed by those who want to explore the meaning of their<br />

Jewishness in a creative and open way.<br />

Another challenge is caused by the low level of community affiliation in the British Jewish community. A recent<br />

survey showed that roughly half of British Jews do not belong to a synagogue, and in the four boroughs that are<br />

closest to <strong>KLS</strong>, the rate is even higher. Our voice must be stronger, more widely heard, so that curious Jews who<br />

do not know that we exist will join us. And again, it is a common endeavour.<br />

We have the resources and the strength to respond to these challenges: a welcoming community with a very<br />

positive and strong ethos, a very solid board with a positive spirit, and my colleagues that often work behind the<br />

scenes to run <strong>KLS</strong> smoothly, Diane Snapper, Karen Nicholas, and Vili Kiradzhiev.<br />

5 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Learning<br />

Learning<br />

A community<br />

that provides<br />

warmth,<br />

meaning and<br />

education for<br />

all ages.<br />

Beiteinu<br />

Every Shabbat morning in term time, our Cheder<br />

meets in the synagogue to learn about Judaism.<br />

We have a class for the youngest, called Shabbatots,<br />

a Cheder class between 7 and 11 to learn the<br />

fundamentals of Judaism, a B’nei Mitzvah class that<br />

leads to this important milestone in the life of a<br />

young Jew and his or her family, a post-BM class to<br />

strengthen this knowledge, and a Kabbalat Torah class<br />

that prepares for adult Jewish life and answers to the<br />

life-long question: how do I lead my life Jewishly in<br />

modern Britain?<br />

We are fortunate to have an amazing team of teachers<br />

who give so much to our children: Emma Rich for<br />

Shabbatots, Sandra Webber and Yaara Kaplan for<br />

Tzahov and Kachol, Robert Markless, Marta Friedmann<br />

and Dominique Scholtes for B’nei Mitzvah, Jonathan<br />

Miller for post-BM, and Tom Smith for Kabbalat Torah.<br />

We thank them for their hard work and the skills they<br />

offer our children.<br />

We are also very grateful to Judy Royle, who after<br />

many years of running the Beiteinu kitchen, will be<br />

stepping down at the end of the 20<strong>17</strong>/<strong>18</strong> academic<br />

year.<br />

B’nei Mitzvah<br />

B’nei mitzvah teaching is incorporated into the overall<br />

Beiteinu programme, preparing them not only to read<br />

from the Torah but also to lead a large part of the rest<br />

of the service, and to give their D’var Torah – their<br />

own interpretation of the Torah reading and what b’nei<br />

mitzvah means personally to them.<br />

Six b’nei mitzvah took place during 20<strong>17</strong>: Marcus<br />

Farrer, Natan Morad, Natasha Ray, Ethan Berman, Ella<br />

Simon, Ezra Miller. These students were amazing and<br />

give us cause to be very hopeful for the future of our<br />

community. Something transformational happens<br />

when a young person stands on the bimah and<br />

presents the result of his/her hard work. The B’nei<br />

Mitzvah programme at <strong>KLS</strong>, thanks to a wonderful<br />

team of teachers led by Robert Markless, is one of our<br />

great successes.<br />

6 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


7 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong><br />

Learning


Learning<br />

Kabbalat Torah<br />

Most students continue attending Beiteinu after<br />

B’nei Mitzvah to age 15 with a programme which<br />

allows them to have a more mature and personal<br />

understanding of Jewish values. This culminates in a<br />

Kabbalat Torah (KT) ceremony in which they affirm<br />

their commitment to Judaism as a consequence of a<br />

personal decision.<br />

The KT class of 20<strong>17</strong> (Lily Roberts; Nathan Simmons;<br />

Joshua Wuggenig; Fran Fornasiero; Gideon Farrer; Zoë<br />

Mendelson; Guy Morad; Max Fornasiero; and Hannah<br />

Royle) led a wonderful, thought-provoking and<br />

innovative service which they had created. It was clear<br />

they enjoyed doing it and we admired how well they<br />

worked together as a team.<br />

Mental health awareness<br />

As a synagogue, we understand the importance of support<br />

for all those suffering from ill health, including mental<br />

health issues. As such we were delighted to highlight<br />

Mental Health Awareness Shabbat through a study<br />

session led jointly by Hannah Kingston and Sara Alston.<br />

Adult education<br />

There are now three different opportunities for adults<br />

to learn about Judaism:<br />

1. On Shabbat afternoon, after the service, a class<br />

named ‘Exploring Judaism’ is offered for those who<br />

want to refresh their knowledge of Judaism. This class is<br />

mandatory for those who want to convert to Judaism.<br />

2. On Tuesday lunchtime, ‘Lunch and Learn’ is an<br />

opportunity to come, have lunch together, and discuss<br />

Jewish texts of Judaism related topics.<br />

3. Thursday evening has become a ‘Beit Midrash’.<br />

Several teachers come and share their passion about a<br />

subject, whether religious, cultural, political, or artistic.<br />

Conversion<br />

We have now half a dozen people registered on the<br />

conversion programme. After the completion of their<br />

12-<strong>18</strong> months of study and attending community life,<br />

they will go before the Beit-Din and become fullyfledged<br />

members of <strong>KLS</strong> and of the Jewish people.<br />

Youth<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> continued to be highly involved with LJY-Netzer<br />

in 20<strong>17</strong> holding two events in the synagogue. <strong>KLS</strong><br />

members continued to be active participants in<br />

the movement, well represented on all LJY-Netzer<br />

events and committed to bringing their learning and<br />

enthusiasm back to the community. <strong>KLS</strong> notably<br />

hosted the Kinus LJY-Netzer democratic decisionmaking<br />

event. We also welcomed committed LJY-<br />

Netzernich Tom Smith to our community.<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> was once again well represented by both<br />

participants and leaders at LJY-Netzer UK based<br />

camps with 7 leaders and 7 participants on the<br />

Summer camp Kadimah. All of them did their part to<br />

contribute to a positive welcoming atmosphere. They<br />

led and took part in all ages groups some for the first<br />

time, some returning for their tenth camp.<br />

Five people also ventured onto LJY-Netzer Israel tour and<br />

had an excellent time learning and experiencing Israel.<br />

Kingston has a long tradition of sending a high<br />

proportion of its members to LJY-Netzer events<br />

and also their continued involvement within the<br />

movement, 20<strong>17</strong> marking the sixth continuous year of<br />

having a movement worker from <strong>KLS</strong>. This tradition<br />

was continued by yet more <strong>KLS</strong> members beginning<br />

the LJY-Netzer leadership journey, completing the<br />

leadership course and leading on the first event.<br />

In 20<strong>18</strong> <strong>KLS</strong> members can look forward to greater<br />

involvement with LJY-Netzer, bringing back their<br />

enthusiasm and learning from Israel and Kadimah.<br />

We can look forward to a large cohort of Kingston<br />

teaching assistants leading on spring camp, their<br />

first camp as leaders. We also hope to see how<br />

LJY-Netzer’s new theme of year, Minorities within<br />

minorities, allows our members to see Judaism in a<br />

different light and empowers them to bring these ideas<br />

back into the community.<br />

8 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


9 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong><br />

Learning


Worship<br />

Worship<br />

A community that explores the meaning of their<br />

Jewishness in a creative and open way.<br />

We have something to say to<br />

those in search of a spirituality<br />

that is not opposed to the<br />

modern world, that is not based<br />

on guilt and coercion, and that<br />

is open to endless exploration.<br />

Services<br />

Before Rabbi René’s appointment, Hannah Kingston<br />

led some wonderfully creative and inspiring services<br />

and her stint as our student rabbi was extended to<br />

June although she returned at the end of July after her<br />

ordination to lead a service with a baby blessing.<br />

Hannah also led the main service on our anniversary<br />

weekend. The sanctuary was packed with over 160<br />

members and visitors including quite a few former<br />

members who moved away from the area, local faith<br />

leaders, Surrey’s Lord Lieutenant and its Police and<br />

Crime Commissioner, rabbis and members of other<br />

congregations , two mayors and an MP.<br />

Rabbi René led most of <strong>KLS</strong>’s services since his<br />

appointment took effect in August. Members have<br />

praised his warmth, great singing voice, thoughtful<br />

and informative sermons, and the inclusiveness of<br />

his services.<br />

His induction service on 14 October was a wonderful<br />

occasion. It attracted a large congregation including<br />

many visitors – leaders from other faiths, from<br />

schools which take part in our Holocaust Memorial<br />

10 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Day activities, Kingston University’s faith adviser,<br />

the Chairman of the European Union for Progressive<br />

Judaism, rabbis and members of other congregations,<br />

two mayors and an MP (all different from those who<br />

attended the anniversary service earlier in the year).<br />

<strong>KLS</strong>’s Rabbi Emeritus, Danny Rich, gave the address<br />

at both the main anniversary service and Rabbi René’s<br />

induction service.<br />

We are also grateful for the continued commitment<br />

of a dedicated team of voluntary service leaders who<br />

between them filled another 38 slots in the service<br />

diary: Vince Daly; Rabbi Janet Darley; Jill and Norman<br />

Hyman; Seymour Kelly; Dominique Scholtes; Craig<br />

Simmons; and Sandra Webber.<br />

In addition we need to thank all those who help behind<br />

the scenes in areas such as preparing Kiddush, locking<br />

up the synagogue, organising High Holyday readers (in<br />

particular Hilary Cohen) and staffing the High Holyday<br />

front desk (Elsa Acton-Bond).<br />

Chavurah Suppers<br />

Our chavurah suppers continued on the first Friday<br />

of each month. These comprise a short service with<br />

a bit of singing, a little discussion, then a chance to<br />

chatter over a selection of food dishes, which the<br />

attendees bring to share. Sandra Webber’s homebaked<br />

challah is sumptuous and the quality of the<br />

accompanying food continues to improve to the extent<br />

that the possibility of compiling a <strong>KLS</strong> chavurah recipe<br />

book has been suggested.<br />

We are very grateful to Rabbi Janet Darley and Vince<br />

Daly who led the chavurah suppers before Rabbi<br />

René’s appointment.<br />

Shabbat Island Discs<br />

This popular service continued on the 4th Friday<br />

of most months. Based on the BBC’s Desert Island<br />

Discs, the service has no sermon but instead features<br />

a ‘guest’ interview (often a <strong>KLS</strong> member) and pieces<br />

of music chosen by the guest which have been<br />

meaningful in their life. This is a wonderful way to get<br />

to know our fellow congregants.<br />

Guests in 20<strong>17</strong> included Rabbi Miri Lawrence who<br />

talked about her research for a PhD examining<br />

Judaism in the suburban home and what changed<br />

when Jews moved from the East End into the suburbs<br />

after World War 2. Dr Chloe Alaghband-Zadeh,<br />

Research Fellow at Emmanuel College, University<br />

of Cambridge, gave us an unusual selection of<br />

Indian classical music in which she specialises as an<br />

ethnomusicologist. Rabbis Hannah Kingston (then a<br />

student) and René Pfertzel told us what brought them<br />

to the rabbinate.<br />

We are grateful to them and to our other guests on<br />

Shabbat Island in 20<strong>17</strong>: Sandra Levene, Bess Joffe and<br />

our new administrator Diane Snapper. Thanks also to<br />

Sandra Webber for arranging and interviewing the<br />

guests and to Craig Simmons who did it a couple of<br />

times in her absence.<br />

Worship<br />

Shabbat @Home<br />

On usually the second Friday of each month, the<br />

Shabbat evening service is hosted by one of our<br />

member families. This appeals to members who like a<br />

more informal service and there is often an interesting<br />

discussion on a topical issue or on the theme of the<br />

week’s Torah reading. It also has helped members<br />

from different localities within <strong>KLS</strong>’s wide catchment<br />

area to meet each other. In 20<strong>17</strong> there were hosts<br />

from Ashtead, Epsom, Kingston, Surbiton, Teddington<br />

and Thames Ditton. We hope members in many other<br />

surrounding areas will host one of these in the future.<br />

We are grateful to the following members for<br />

welcoming fellow <strong>KLS</strong> congregants into their home at<br />

one of the Shabbat @ Home services in 20<strong>17</strong>: Sandra<br />

and Howard Webber; Mary and Craig Simmons; Nora<br />

Zimerman; Linda and Ray Stone; Jill and Norman Hyman;<br />

Judith Osorio; Jenny and Nick Osorio; Liz and Seymour<br />

Kelly; Andrée Frieze and Shimon Morad; Sandra and Paul<br />

Levene and Sandra and Philip Lyons.<br />

11 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Worship<br />

A community 100% Jewish and 100%<br />

Liberal in its values stems from a deep<br />

understanding of our heritage.<br />

Family services<br />

Family services continued to take place once at month<br />

in term time. These allow a chance for whole families,<br />

and the wider <strong>KLS</strong> family, to pray, discuss the Torah<br />

reading and for the Beiteinu students to show off what<br />

they have been learning about. Tammy Rich often<br />

provides musical accompaniment, making them very<br />

lively occasions.<br />

High Holyday services<br />

The High Holyday services were the first occasion<br />

the many faces of <strong>KLS</strong> got to meet Rabbi René. The<br />

atmosphere was serene, meaningful, spiritual, and<br />

the choir led by Rebekka Wedell offered some very<br />

uplifting pieces.<br />

Czech scrolls / Remembrance Day<br />

A warm, moving atmosphere filled our Shabbat<br />

family service on Remembrance Day, with parallel<br />

personal stories of a girl from Tabor and a local soldier<br />

from Long Ditton accompanied by music and video<br />

presentations so that even our youngest children<br />

could understand why we chose to remember them on<br />

Poppy Day.<br />

For the first time <strong>KLS</strong> combined annual<br />

commemoration of our former Czech scrolls<br />

communities with remembrance of all those who<br />

fell in the two world wars. The congregation joined<br />

the nation in observing the two minute silence and<br />

throughout the service children made beautiful<br />

symbolic artwork.<br />

Festivals<br />

Tu b’Shvat was celebrated in February with a seder<br />

at the home of Mary and Craig Simmons. The many<br />

attendees made it a lovely occasion, bringing fruit and<br />

nuts, cups, prayer books, lights, tables, chairs.<br />

A busy weekend of 50th anniversary events did<br />

not prevent a good attendance at Sunday’s Yom<br />

HaShoah service, at which Marcel Ladenheim told his<br />

extraordinary story of when he was a small child in<br />

Nazi-occupied France.<br />

Some excited children built a sukkah with a little help<br />

from their parents for Sukkot in October.<br />

We organised various events throughout Chanukah<br />

– a very-well attended first night celebration at the<br />

synagogue, four evening candle-lightings hosted by<br />

members at their homes, a Friday night service at<br />

the synagogue and a lively interfaith celebration on<br />

Saturday afternoon.<br />

Communal seder<br />

<strong>KLS</strong>’s first communal seder in 1968, in Tudor Hall, was<br />

such a resounding success that it has kept going year<br />

after year since then. This year’s seder – the 50th –<br />

was no exception and attracted over 70 people. We<br />

are grateful to Rabbi Janet Darley for leading it and<br />

to Steve Farrer who prepared a buffet with a mouthwatering<br />

selection of dishes. Thanks also to everyone<br />

who set up, washed up, brought desserts, tidied up,<br />

and helped make it a very enjoyable occasion.<br />

12 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Worship<br />

Worship<br />

Yahrzeits<br />

Norman Hyman compiles the Yahrzeit list on a<br />

quarterly basis in advance for insertion in the weekly<br />

issue of <strong>KLS</strong> events. Usually, these recall the Yahrzeit<br />

on the nearest Shabbat after the relevant date.<br />

Yahrzeits of members’ close family are recorded on<br />

request. The names are read out towards the end of<br />

the service, enabling the member to hear the Yahrzeit<br />

mentioned by attending the relevant service.<br />

Tree of Life<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> members, affiliates and friends can buy a leaf in<br />

memory of anyone deceased, member or not, Jewish<br />

or non-Jewish. The leaf, engraved with the deceased’s<br />

name, is then placed on our Tree of Life installation<br />

in the sanctuary. Part of the cost and any additional<br />

donations help to support <strong>KLS</strong>.<br />

Choir<br />

The choir, directed by professional musician Rebekka<br />

Wedell, meets approximately alternate Tuesdays<br />

for singing, tea and cake. The choir is best known for<br />

leading the congregation in song throughout the High<br />

Holydays, but it also supports the rabbi or lay leader<br />

with a musical service on the 4th Friday of the month.<br />

The choir sang popular songs at a local care home<br />

for Mitzvah Day (a date in November when Jewish<br />

organisations up and down the UK perform acts of<br />

kindness in their local community). The choir also sang<br />

at the Royal Borough of Kingston civic event to mark<br />

Holocaust Memorial Day in January 20<strong>18</strong>.<br />

13 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Social & Cultural<br />

Social & Cultural<br />

In 20<strong>17</strong> we celebrated our 50th<br />

anniversary, what a year it was!<br />

14 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Film showings<br />

As the year began we continued our season of Israeli<br />

films with Hunting Elephants, Bethlehem, Shiva and<br />

Farewell Baghdad. These were chosen and obtained<br />

for <strong>KLS</strong> by one of our Israeli members, Shimon Morad.<br />

The films were shown monthly on a weekday evening<br />

and attracted a decent number of regular film goers.<br />

We hope to run another series of films of Jewish<br />

interest in 20<strong>18</strong>.<br />

Cookery class<br />

In February we held an excellent Sushi making session,<br />

run by Crispin Jessop, returning by popular demand.<br />

The event was attended by 16 people of ages ranging<br />

from 9 to 82! The results were impressive and the<br />

feedback extremely positive.<br />

Museum visit<br />

A smallish group visited the Amy Winehouse<br />

exhibition at the Jewish Museum in March.<br />

Anniversary weekend<br />

April saw the centrepiece weekend of our anniversary<br />

year, the 50th Anniversary Chavurah Supper on 21<br />

April, followed by our 50th Anniversary Shabbat<br />

morning service on 22 April. The former was led with<br />

great gusto by our former rabbi Charley Baginsky,<br />

accompanied with much verve by Tammy Rich on<br />

piano and vocals. It was a wonderful moving evening,<br />

very well supported and boasting a wide range of<br />

delicious food.<br />

The following day, a packed synagogue was treated<br />

to a wonderful Shabbat morning service led<br />

magnificently by our young student rabbi, Hannah<br />

Kingston. She was joined on the bimah by Rabbi Danny<br />

Rich and Rabbi Clifford Cohen who shared with us<br />

their own reflections of <strong>KLS</strong> during its 50-year history.<br />

The congregation was boosted by a large number of<br />

guests including local dignitaries, interfaith leaders<br />

and many former members of Kingston Liberal<br />

Synagogue. After the service a superb celebratory<br />

Kiddush, organised by Elsa Acton-Bond, was enjoyed<br />

by all, photographs were taken by Philip Hyman and<br />

Zoë Mendelson and a fascinating exhibition of 50<br />

years of synagogue life was visited by many past and<br />

present members.<br />

Ramble<br />

As the year moved into spring Philip Hyman and Judith<br />

Osorio led a meticulously planned figure of eight walk<br />

allowing members to select a morning, afternoon or<br />

full day of rambling in the Surrey countryside, starting<br />

in the village of Shere. In spite of a sudden heavy<br />

downpour at the beginning of the afternoon route, the<br />

walkers were treated to a great day out with both good<br />

company and beautiful scenery.<br />

Garden party<br />

The second major event of this special year was our<br />

50th Anniversary Garden Party and Bake-off, at the<br />

home of our council chair and his family in Epsom.<br />

Mary and Craig hosted an afternoon to remember<br />

and the bake-off attracted a huge number of entries<br />

which were so ably ‘tested’ by our panel of judges:<br />

Carl Scheib, Carolynne Farer and Debbi Marco. The<br />

number of pounds gained by members that afternoon<br />

as they ate their way through dozens of cakes,<br />

strawberries and raspberries is best forgotten!<br />

Social & Cultural<br />

15 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Social & Cultural<br />

Social & Cultural<br />

Art gallery visit<br />

At end of the summer a dozen members visited the<br />

Stanley Picker House in Kingston, an event arranged<br />

by Jenny Osorio. Numbers were restricted for the tour<br />

and therefore this is possibly an event which could be<br />

repeated in the future.<br />

Supper quiz<br />

Post High Holy Days and following the inauguration<br />

of our new rabbi, René Pfertzel, the social calendar<br />

continued to attract large numbers and our annual<br />

supper quiz boasting a fish and chip supper, an ‘out of<br />

town’ quiz master and mistress and a raffle, pulled in<br />

around 90 people.<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> Has Got Talent<br />

However, the final ‘main event’ of our 50th year was<br />

the showcase of our homegrown talent brought<br />

together so professionally by Sandra Levene and<br />

hosted by our president, ‘man of many talents’, Mike<br />

Barnato – the <strong>KLS</strong> Talent Show. Suffice to say that it<br />

was brilliant!<br />

Chanukah @ Home<br />

20<strong>17</strong> culminated in our second Chanukah of home<br />

candle lightings whereby members opened their<br />

homes for a few hours to share the lighting of the<br />

Chanukah candles with other members of the<br />

community and of course enjoy some festive food<br />

together. Hosts were found in a range of geographical<br />

locations so that most members had the opportunity<br />

to visit someone nearby.<br />

We would like to thank the many members, family and<br />

friends who have been involved in running, or helping<br />

with, any of our events during this very special 50th<br />

anniversary year. The variety of activities has been<br />

impressive and the success of each has been selfevident<br />

providing entertainment and enjoyment for all<br />

involved.<br />

As always, we need new ideas and more members to<br />

get involved in future events. This is vital if <strong>KLS</strong> is to<br />

continue to hold social functions and activities which<br />

appeal to the whole community.<br />

Bookcrashers<br />

The <strong>KLS</strong> book group continues to grow. We meet<br />

about every month and welcome people who have<br />

read the book and those who haven’t to discuss the<br />

book and other topics. In 20<strong>17</strong> we read a wide range of<br />

books including:<br />

• The Song Collector by Natasha Solomons<br />

• A Tale of Light and Darkness by Amos Oz<br />

• The Gustav Sonata by Rose Temain<br />

• All Who Go Do Not Return by Shulem Deen<br />

• All the Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan.<br />

We are looking forward to hosting a book launch<br />

event for Elizabeth Gifford’s book The Good Doctor of<br />

Warsaw in 20<strong>18</strong>.<br />

16 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Exhibitions<br />

We were delighted that in December one of our<br />

members, Hannah Wurzburger, had a display of her<br />

hand weaving work. It was a delight and a privilege to<br />

have this work on show and we look forward to having<br />

other similar occasions when our talented members<br />

could showcase their work.<br />

Bridge<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> hosts a small, friendly duplicate bridge club on<br />

Thursday evenings at 7pm, which is open to <strong>KLS</strong><br />

members. New members of all standards are welcome<br />

and the club will try to pair up anyone without a partner.<br />

Social & Cultural<br />

Krav Maga<br />

Krav Maga is self defence, but with an Israeli/Jewish<br />

twist. It continues to operate on a drop-in basis on<br />

most Thursdays at 7pm.<br />

After four years, our first instructor, Jamie, became a<br />

father to twins and had to stop. We now have Neville<br />

an expert in several martial arts, including Krav Maga.<br />

Anyone wishing to know more or have a trial session<br />

should contact Mike Barnato.<br />

Table tennis<br />

The <strong>KLS</strong> table tennis club remains a popular and<br />

enjoyable activity. In 20<strong>17</strong>, we have had good<br />

attendances from our regular group of about 8-10<br />

people and one or two new members. We welcome<br />

new players, even if homework, work, theatre or<br />

football sometimes get in the way.<br />

We usually meet on the second Tuesday of the month<br />

but please contact Brian Hurwitz or see the <strong>KLS</strong><br />

website or call the office to check future dates.<br />

Doroteinu<br />

Doroteinu is Hebrew for ‘our generations’ and was the<br />

name given to the social group set up over 20 years<br />

ago for all <strong>KLS</strong> members. It met monthly on a weekday<br />

afternoon and offered guest speakers, social events,<br />

trips and discussions. Sadly, only one Doroteinu event<br />

was held in 20<strong>17</strong> as we were unable to find a successor<br />

to Stan Moss to chair the group.<br />

However, we are looking for new ways for members to<br />

meet socially on a weekday and we are delighted that,<br />

thanks to Rabbi René and Jenny Osorio, a ‘meet and<br />

eat’ initiative has successfully launched in 20<strong>18</strong>.<br />

Journeys to <strong>KLS</strong><br />

We were delighted to host a series of three talks from<br />

members, Bronia Snow, Mike Barnato and Michael<br />

Brandon telling their stories which led to them joining<br />

us at <strong>KLS</strong>. We hope to continue this series in 20<strong>18</strong>.<br />

<strong>17</strong> – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Care<br />

Care<br />

Our community is underpinned by mutual care sharing each<br />

other’s ups and downs along our life journeys.<br />

KIT care team<br />

During 20<strong>17</strong> we held three KIT tea parties which, as<br />

usual, were greatly enjoyed by those who attended.<br />

We thank those members who hosted these tea<br />

parties over the last few years for being such warm<br />

and welcoming hosts. Our most regular hosts were<br />

Helen Greene, Jill & Norman Hyman, Tony Spevack<br />

and Judy Thwaites. We are grateful to them and to all<br />

the other members who helped by offering transport,<br />

cakes or other refreshments.<br />

So far in 20<strong>18</strong> we have had a very successful Meet<br />

& Eat with the Rabbi. Some 30 people attended and<br />

enjoyed a light lunch, socialising with other members<br />

and, of course, hearing from and meeting Rabbi René.<br />

We are seeking feedback as to whether we should<br />

continue with either or both the tea parties and the<br />

Meet & Eat. If so, offers of help (be it homes, cake<br />

making, transport etc.) are needed to make these<br />

occasions possible.<br />

With our new rabbi now in place, the KIT care team<br />

has had a makeover. Jenny Osorio has stood down<br />

as Chair and Rabbi René is in this position. However,<br />

the core care team has been expanded and now<br />

includes Sandra and Paul Levene and Mary Simmons<br />

(besides Rabbi René and Jenny Osorio). Meetings will<br />

be infrequent, but members wishing to be part of this<br />

organising team can let either Rabbi René or Jenny<br />

Osorio know. We thank Judy Parish, Fran Milesi and<br />

Helen Greene, who are standing down from the core<br />

team, for their work over several years supporting<br />

<strong>KLS</strong>. However, they will be part of an extended group<br />

who will be keeping in contact with members, either<br />

by phone or by visits. The group is looking for further<br />

help.<br />

Visiting the sick<br />

Whilst Jenny Osorio and others have visited members<br />

during the year, particular thanks must go to our<br />

Kingston Hospital Chaplains who are regularly at the<br />

hospital. Thank you to Jill Hyman and Irene Gould.<br />

<strong>18</strong> – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Care<br />

Bereavement support<br />

If any member has experience in Bereavement<br />

Counselling or would be willing to take some training<br />

in this work, we would like to include them in our core<br />

team.<br />

To make <strong>KLS</strong> a more inclusive, caring and responsive<br />

community we do need volunteers and look forward to<br />

more members coming forward.<br />

Business network<br />

From time to time we try to introduce other initiatives<br />

for members who are interested in the more financial<br />

or business aspects of life. Our <strong>KLS</strong> Business network<br />

group was one such initiative where we’ve tried to<br />

bring members together over a coffee to discuss their<br />

business issues and to get their ideas for those issues<br />

facing by <strong>KLS</strong>.<br />

19 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Wider Community<br />

Wider Community<br />

Exploring how we can work<br />

together towards bettering<br />

our society.<br />

Kingston Interfaith Forum<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> member Fleur Standring represents us on the<br />

Kingston Interfaith Forum (KIFF) where matters of<br />

common interest are discussed by representatives<br />

of the various local faith groups. One example of<br />

KIFF-supported interfaith cooperation is the annual<br />

Holocaust Memorial Day event organised by Kingston<br />

Borough. In the most recent of these the <strong>KLS</strong> choir<br />

made a well-received contribution.<br />

Interfaith Chanukah party<br />

In 20<strong>17</strong>, <strong>KLS</strong> also organised a very well attended<br />

interfaith Chanukah event at which members<br />

of several faith groups talked about how “lights”<br />

feature in their religious tradition and collaborated<br />

in the lighting of the <strong>KLS</strong> chanukiah before enjoying<br />

refreshments in our social hall.<br />

School visits<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> hosts visits from several hundred young people<br />

each year. Many of these come to attend one of the<br />

Holocaust Memorial Day workshops that we run<br />

jointly with Kingston’s orthodox synagogue. These<br />

workshops are designed to make teenage school<br />

children aware of the dangers of prejudice and racism.<br />

In 20<strong>17</strong> our workshop coordinator Sandra Webber,<br />

was interviewed for local TV (available on YouTube).<br />

Groups of younger school children also visit us to learn<br />

something about Judaism as a complement to their<br />

school curriculum.<br />

Mitzvah Day<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> participates in “Mitzvah Day” each November<br />

when synagogue congregations do a good deed<br />

(“Mitzvah”) in their local area. In recent years, with<br />

Lilian Somers coordinating, <strong>KLS</strong> has been involved in<br />

• collecting toiletries and food for ‘Equinox’ a South<br />

London Mental Health Charity<br />

• collecting for the Kingston ‘Food Bank’<br />

• helping with a late-season garden tidy up at<br />

Welcare House, a Charity supporting parents<br />

with young children<br />

• entertaining the residents at a local nursing home<br />

with a musical medley led by our choir director.<br />

High Holy Day Appeal<br />

Each year, at the time of the High Holy Day services,<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> members make a communal donation to a small<br />

number of nominated charities. Typically the selected<br />

charities will include one that is local to <strong>KLS</strong>, a UK<br />

non-Jewish charity, a UK Jewish charity and a charity<br />

in Israel that is pursuing social justice. In 20<strong>17</strong> the<br />

20 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Wider Community<br />

recipient charities were<br />

• Learn English at Home - a small local charity<br />

helping isolated people, including refugees and<br />

migrants, to learn enough practical, everyday<br />

English to communicate and participate in their local<br />

community<br />

• The Rainbow Trust, which supports families who<br />

have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness<br />

• Givat Haviva, working in Israel to establish Jewish/<br />

Arab partnership projects in the social, educational<br />

and commercial spheres<br />

• <strong>KLS</strong>’s own 50th anniversary fund, whose ambitions<br />

include establishing a paved “garden” area that<br />

can be used for outdoor socials and services at the<br />

synagogue.<br />

East European communities<br />

For many years, <strong>KLS</strong> has been twinned with<br />

Simferopol’s Ner Tamid congregation in the Crimea.<br />

Financial support comes from our “East European<br />

Fund” which is used to support the renewal of<br />

progressive Judaism in countries of the former Soviet<br />

Union.<br />

Led by <strong>KLS</strong> member Linda Stone, we have also been<br />

developing connections with the town of Tabor in<br />

the Czech Republic, home to one of our Torah Scrolls<br />

prior to Nazi occupation, and with a US congregation<br />

researching another scroll from Tabor. Our annual<br />

“Czech Scrolls” service celebrates the rescue of<br />

our three Czech scrolls and commemorates their<br />

former communities. In 20<strong>17</strong> we incorporated our<br />

observation of Remembrance Day into our Czech<br />

Scrolls service.<br />

Board of Deputies<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> supports the interests of the wider UK Jewish<br />

community through its representation on the Board of<br />

Deputies of British Jews. In recent years <strong>KLS</strong> has been<br />

ably represented by Gabriel Webber and Sam Alston,<br />

two of its young adult members.<br />

Liberal Judaism<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> is a constituent synagogue of Liberal Judaism (LJ),<br />

a leading denomination of progressive Judaism within<br />

the UK. It supports rabbinic training and its national<br />

office develops new LJ communities and supports<br />

existing communities. In 20<strong>17</strong>, it provided <strong>KLS</strong> with<br />

student rabbi support and fundraising assistance.<br />

Some <strong>KLS</strong> members also attended the LJ Day of<br />

Celebration.<br />

21 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Operations<br />

Administrator<br />

Council took the decision not to make a permanent<br />

appointment immediately to the position of Synagogue<br />

Administrator after Helen Mendelson’s departure in<br />

2016. We wanted to wait until Rabbi René had arrived<br />

and could help select Helen’s successor. In the interim<br />

our Finance Manager Karen Nicholas and community<br />

member Frank Wuggenig held the fort admirably. We<br />

are very grateful to them. And the policy of waiting to<br />

fill the permanent role paid off – Diane Snapper, who<br />

joined us only in August 20<strong>17</strong>, has very quickly become<br />

a valuable and valued part of <strong>KLS</strong>.<br />

Publicity<br />

Barbara Richards continued to look after <strong>KLS</strong> press<br />

and public relations during 20<strong>17</strong>. We had coverage for<br />

our major events in both the Jewish and local press.<br />

Coverage in local papers and online publications keeps<br />

members in touch with events and provides good<br />

publicity in the local community and helps to attract<br />

new members.<br />

We hope that the publicity <strong>KLS</strong> is able to generate<br />

gives a picture of the kind of community we are, both<br />

to prospective new members and to anyone else<br />

interested in us.<br />

Press coverage 20<strong>17</strong><br />

• Kingston Synagogues unite for Holocaust Memorial<br />

Day workshops – article in Surrey Comet, 19 January<br />

• A whole weekend of celebration as Kingston turns<br />

50 – article in Liberal Judaism Today, May.<br />

• Kingston reaches a liberal landmark – article in<br />

Jewish Chronicle, 30 April<br />

• Kingston Liberal Synagogue confirms its new rabbi –<br />

article in Surrey Comet, and Kingston Guardian, 16<br />

October<br />

• Going French in Kingston – article in Jewish<br />

Chronicle, 20 October<br />

• Kingston Liberal Synagogue inducts new rabbi –<br />

article in European Union for Progressive Judaism<br />

newsletter, October<br />

• Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel inducted at Kingston –<br />

article in Liberal Judaism Today, October.<br />

We are also grateful to Jenny Woolfe for her two-page<br />

article on <strong>KLS</strong> in the Winter 20<strong>17</strong> edition of Thames<br />

Ditton Today, the magazine of the Thames Ditton and<br />

Weston Green Residents Association.<br />

Social media<br />

The Twitter feed which Barbara set up as<br />

“KingstonLibShul” in November 2010 now has 301<br />

followers, and has done 630 tweets. This carries<br />

our press coverage to a different audience and may<br />

eventually pick up a younger following. Most followers<br />

are local to Kingston, Esher and Elmbridge.<br />

The KingstonLiberalSynagogue Facebook page has<br />

161 total followers, and 158 total likes. Andrée Frieze<br />

admins the page and keeps it fresh and current by<br />

regulary posting events and news.<br />

A private Facebook group, visible only to members<br />

who have joined it, has 86 members. It provides a<br />

useful means for members to share information within<br />

the community.<br />

Website<br />

The website continues to provide a public face for <strong>KLS</strong><br />

to interested outsider and potential new members.<br />

The section “News” carries news of recent events at<br />

<strong>KLS</strong>, and “Galleries” has recent photos. The Google<br />

alert makes sure we pick up all mentions of <strong>KLS</strong> online.<br />

New members<br />

We are grateful that after a long period without a<br />

membership secretary, Mary Simmons agreed to take<br />

on this role. It involves liaising with people interested<br />

in becoming members and with new members, being<br />

a point of contact for any questions and introducing<br />

them to other members, particularly those who might<br />

share similar interests. The same applies to “friends” –<br />

non-Jews interested in being associated with <strong>KLS</strong>.<br />

The number of new members has been rising since<br />

Rabbi René‘s appointment and we are actively working<br />

to increase this.<br />

Weekly bulletin<br />

Members are kept regularly updated with news and<br />

upcoming events within the <strong>KLS</strong> community.<br />

What’s On @ <strong>KLS</strong> is emailed weekly to all members who<br />

have provided an email address. The email also lists<br />

people included on the coming week’s duty rotas. Event<br />

details are also posted on our website klsonline.org.<br />

A few members not on email receive through the post<br />

about every two months a printed listing of upcoming<br />

events and a collection of the news that has appeared<br />

in the weekly emails over the previous month. A<br />

small number of the printed monthly listings are also<br />

available in the leaflet rack in the Mosaic Room.<br />

Kingston News Quarterly<br />

Jenny Woolfe has continued in the role as editor of the<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> quarterly magazine during 20<strong>17</strong>. She aims to mix<br />

coverage of major <strong>KLS</strong> events with articles and stories<br />

of Jewish interest sourced from the internet; which<br />

many readers don’t have the time, or the know-how,<br />

to find themselves. KNQ acts as a permanent record<br />

of members and events, to be used in future when,<br />

again, we celebrate a historic anniversary. Articles<br />

are positive and uplifting– something we all need in<br />

the present climate! We thank those members who<br />

submitted articles and would welcome many more!<br />

(Please write to knq@klsonline.org)<br />

22 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Building maintenance<br />

Seymour Kelly took over the role in Council of<br />

Buildings officer from April 20<strong>17</strong> onwards. This was<br />

followed by the appointment of Diane Snapper in the<br />

role of administrator and together they have been<br />

tackling the backlog in various maintenance areas.<br />

We are working on having policies and procedures in<br />

place for all areas of activity but we have started with<br />

Fire Policy and Procedures and are working through<br />

actions arising from a fire risk assessment that was<br />

undertaken in autumn 20<strong>17</strong>. Because of the size and<br />

age of the building there are always maintenance<br />

issues. Thanks go to Vili our cleaner and caretaker who<br />

continues to keep very high standards of cleanliness<br />

on the premises.<br />

Sanctuary improvement project<br />

We are currently assessing what improvements can be<br />

made to the sanctuary in order make it a more spiritual<br />

place to worship and enhance its atmosphere. This<br />

has generated a lot of interest and some interesting<br />

changes like the polishing of the ten commandments<br />

and the installation of a tallit holder. However now that<br />

we have our new rabbi in place we have decided to go<br />

back to the community to ask their opinions and will be<br />

organising a couple of open meetings in the next few<br />

months to find out what the congregation would like<br />

before taking toe project forward. Particular thanks<br />

go to Philip Lyons for creating the tallit holder, Linda<br />

Stone, Mary Simmons, Steve Farrer and Mark Woolfe<br />

for working on the ten commandments.<br />

Garden project<br />

The synagogue Council has given the go ahead for a<br />

garden to be created to celebrate the 50th anniversary<br />

of the founding of <strong>KLS</strong>. The new garden will provide a<br />

space for celebrating festivals, a social space for open<br />

air events and a venue for welcoming visitors to <strong>KLS</strong>.<br />

A plan has been finalised and a contractor has been<br />

identified. Funding is in place and we hope the work<br />

will start on the project in May 20<strong>18</strong>. The garden<br />

will rely on the participation and generosity of the<br />

community in providing planters, garden furniture and<br />

of course plants. Thanks to Steve Farrer who came up<br />

with the initial plan and design and to Yaara Kaplan<br />

and Vince Daly for their contributions to garden<br />

committee.<br />

Lettings<br />

Caterpillars Nursery continues to be the main user of<br />

the premises apart from <strong>KLS</strong>. The synagogue building<br />

has also been used an electoral polling station and as<br />

a venue for the Bridge club and Krav Maga. We are<br />

interested in finding further tenants for the venue<br />

when <strong>KLS</strong> is not in use to maximise use of the building<br />

and provide additional income for <strong>KLS</strong>.<br />

Library<br />

In the coming year the focus will be on the library and<br />

how it can be used more effectively by the community.<br />

Security<br />

Over the last year our members have undertaken<br />

nearly 200 security duties. They have supported<br />

Friday night services, Beiteinu, High Holy Days, HMD<br />

Workshops and many more. As impressive as this is, it<br />

highlights how much we rely on members to contribute<br />

their time and the fact that there are still many times<br />

when people are unable to support us shows that we<br />

still need many more people to help with this very<br />

important mitzvah. We extend a big thank you to all<br />

those that have given up their time to help us this past<br />

year, whose help is greatly appreciated.<br />

As we move forward, the challenge of keeping the<br />

synagogue safe for our members is not going to go<br />

away and as more activities extend the hours that<br />

the building is in use the need to reconsider how we<br />

maintain security is growing. It is for this reason that<br />

Andrew Mendelson has decided that after 10 years<br />

in the role of Security Officer the time is right for<br />

someone else to embrace the challenge with a fresh<br />

perspective and will be stepping down from the end of<br />

March 20<strong>18</strong>. We are very grateful for Andrew’s great<br />

contribution in this role over the last 10 years.<br />

Lock-up<br />

There are now 7 kind volunteers who act as a steward<br />

for the Shabbat evening service, and lock-up the<br />

synagogue after the Friday night service. We are<br />

always hoping to have new volunteers, and it is clear<br />

that the commitment (usually is less than once every 2<br />

months) is not very onerous.<br />

We are grateful to Mark Woolfe (rota coordinator),<br />

Judith Osorio, Jenny Osorio, Lilian Somers, Frank<br />

Wuggenig, Richard Berman and Vince Daly for<br />

volunteering to do <strong>KLS</strong> Friday lock-up.<br />

Infrastructure<br />

23 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Finance<br />

Treasurer’s report<br />

Last year was another tough year financially for <strong>KLS</strong><br />

with only a very small surplus being made despite only<br />

having a Rabbi for part of the year.<br />

The last time we had a full complement of staff was<br />

in 2015. With the surplus of £<strong>18</strong>,582 being made in<br />

2016 and a full complement of staff for 20<strong>18</strong> we have<br />

budgeted to run a deficit of £14,823. This is to be<br />

financed from the prior years’ surpluses.<br />

Obviously this cannot continue beyond 20<strong>18</strong> and<br />

therefore Council are looking into various ways of<br />

raising our funding levels on a sustainable basis.<br />

For 20<strong>18</strong> Rabbi René is still on 80% of a full time<br />

commitment but assuming that moves onto 100% as<br />

soon as possible and our staffing levels stay full then<br />

we would need to raise our level of funding by roughly<br />

£30,000 per year.<br />

One major activity to help raise our level of income is<br />

to push harder for new members as subscriptions are<br />

the major part of our income. We are also examining<br />

other ways of raising funds from the building itself and<br />

from various other activities including the 100 club<br />

and donations from members.<br />

Subscriptions<br />

Over many years Brenda Dombey has been the<br />

mainstay of our subscriptions administration but she<br />

has informed Council that 20<strong>18</strong> will be her last year.<br />

Council would formally like to thank Brenda for all of<br />

her efforts over many years.<br />

To help the administration of subscriptions Council<br />

have been looking at ways of making the task easier<br />

both for Council and for Members. To this end we<br />

have introduced a new Direct Debit option to pay for<br />

20<strong>18</strong> subscriptions. We hope that members will take<br />

advantage of this new option and find it easier each year.<br />

Funeral scheme<br />

Our funeral scheme covers the basic expenses of a<br />

funeral and enables members to be buried at a section<br />

of the Long Ditton cemetery, in Rectory Lane, close<br />

to the synagogue. Although we have been forced by<br />

rising funeral costs to increase the funeral contribution<br />

of members’ subscriptions, we consider the scheme<br />

compares very favourably with those available<br />

commercially.<br />

Bookkeeping<br />

Council would also like to thanks Karen Nicholas for<br />

her great work on our finances and bookkeeping as<br />

without her diligence and hard work our lives would all<br />

be much more difficult.<br />

Fundraising<br />

Fundraising for more specific causes is always<br />

important and a list of our targeted areas is on<br />

the table.<br />

Judaica shop<br />

The Judaica shop, run by Hilary Cohen, provides a<br />

convenient service to members and an additional<br />

source of income for <strong>KLS</strong>. It has a large stock of cards,<br />

gift wrap, candles and gifts for all Jewish lifecycle<br />

events and festivals, including kippot, tallitot, challah<br />

covers, bread boards, matzah holders, chanukiot,<br />

children’s toys and games. Items not stocked can be<br />

sourced by request. The shop is open whenever the<br />

synagogue office is open (except when outside events<br />

are being held within the synagogue building) and at<br />

other times by arrangement.<br />

24 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


Finance<br />

Thank you for your generosity, helping<br />

to ensure <strong>KLS</strong> continues to thrive.<br />

Fund<br />

Uses<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> Funds for providing charitable grants<br />

Mavis Robinson Fund<br />

Alison Morland Fund<br />

Kader-Alfred Memorial Fund<br />

Liselotte Hirschfield Fund<br />

Pam Fletcher Jones Fund<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> charity fund<br />

For children to attend LJ Summer Camp<br />

Helping young people of recognised merit<br />

Helping young people learn about Israel<br />

Helping any person in need<br />

For children to attend LJ Spring Camp<br />

Charitable grants generally<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> Funds for providing charitable grants and also other purposes<br />

Rabbi’s discretionary fund<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> Discretionary Donations<br />

Eastern Europe Fund<br />

Furthering <strong>KLS</strong> aims, as the Rabbi may determine<br />

Furthering the aims of <strong>KLS</strong> as Council may determine<br />

Developing progressive Judaism in E. Europe<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> Funds for purposes other than charitable grants<br />

<strong>KLS</strong> Development Fund<br />

Projects delivering long-term value to <strong>KLS</strong><br />

Library fund<br />

Developing <strong>KLS</strong> library<br />

National Holocaust Memorial Fund<br />

<strong>Annual</strong> HMD educational events<br />

Religion School Fund<br />

Cheder development projects<br />

Synagogue fund<br />

Enhancement of the sanctuary<br />

Hornfeld Flower Fund<br />

Flowers for the synagogue for High Holydays<br />

Mosaic Fund<br />

Maintenance of and addition to the mosaic<br />

Scroll Repair Fund<br />

Scroll repairs<br />

100 Club Furthering the aims of <strong>KLS</strong> as Council may determine<br />

25 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


People<br />

Council<br />

A council of synagogue members, elected by the congregation at its <strong>Annual</strong> General Meeting, manages the<br />

synagogue’s activities and are formally its trustees for conducting its business as a charity. The council meets for a<br />

couple of hours most months to plan the development of <strong>KLS</strong> and to manage its general operation.<br />

The offices of Chair, Deputy Chair, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary are also elected at this meeting and<br />

other council members take responsibility for specific areas of operation.<br />

Members who served<br />

in 20<strong>17</strong><br />

Steve Farrer – Chair to 29<br />

April; left Council 29 April<br />

Craig Simmons – Chair<br />

from 29 April<br />

Seymour Kelly – Deputy<br />

Chair from 29 April<br />

Ray Stone – Honorary<br />

Treasurer<br />

Howard Webber –<br />

Honorary Secretary<br />

Sara Alston – education (on<br />

Council from 29 April to 26<br />

October)<br />

Vince Daly – external<br />

liaison (joined Council 29<br />

April)<br />

Katia Ray – education (left<br />

Council 29 April)<br />

Stephanie Wuggenig –<br />

events<br />

The synagogue<br />

constitution allows up to<br />

16 members on Council.<br />

As at 31 December 20<strong>17</strong>,<br />

there were vacancies to<br />

take responsibility for the<br />

following areas:<br />

Education; pastoral;<br />

religious affairs;<br />

membership services;<br />

youth.<br />

We are grateful for the<br />

time and effort given by all<br />

those who have served on<br />

Council and look forward<br />

to more members coming<br />

on board in the future.<br />

Outside of Council<br />

Mike Barnato served as<br />

President.<br />

Tony Spevack served as<br />

Holding Trustee<br />

Senior personnel<br />

Rabbi René Pfertzel –<br />

Rabbi from <strong>17</strong> August<br />

Diane Snapper –<br />

Administrator from 21<br />

August<br />

Rebekka Wedell – Director<br />

of Music<br />

Other contributors<br />

As well as current Council<br />

members and senior staff,<br />

the following members<br />

contributed to this report:<br />

Sara Alston – Mental health<br />

awareness, Bookcrashers,<br />

Journeys to <strong>KLS</strong><br />

Sam Alston – Youth<br />

Linda Stone – Czech scrolls<br />

Sandra Webber – Choir<br />

Jenny Osorio – Exhibitions<br />

Vikki Simmons – Doroteinu<br />

Brian Hurwitz – Tabletennis<br />

Jenny Woolfe – KNQ<br />

Andrew Mendelson –<br />

Security<br />

Mark Woolfe – Lock-up<br />

Barbara Richards –<br />

Publicity<br />

Hilary Cohen – Publicity<br />

Funerals<br />

We remember those<br />

members of our<br />

community who died in<br />

20<strong>17</strong>. May their memory<br />

be for a blessing.<br />

Beryl Rodell<br />

Raymond Morland<br />

Adele Myers<br />

Isadore Caine<br />

Rex Joseph<br />

Richard Halfin<br />

Anthony Woodrow<br />

Barbara Spevack<br />

Donors<br />

James Abadi<br />

Elsa & Jamie Acton Bond<br />

Suzy & Ashley Abrahams<br />

Miriam & Jamie Alaghband<br />

Zadeh<br />

Sara Alston<br />

Maya & David Aviram<br />

Marc Baer<br />

Mike Barnato<br />

Michael Brandon<br />

Susan Burton<br />

Judie Cole<br />

Vince Daly<br />

Brenda Dombey<br />

Jeremy Fitzpatrick<br />

Vicky Freedman<br />

Andree Frieze & Shimon<br />

Morad<br />

Irene Gould<br />

Carole & Simon Haskel<br />

Russell Hayton<br />

Sybil Hickman<br />

Jo Humphreys<br />

Brian Hurwitz<br />

Jill & Norman Hyman<br />

Julia Jacobs<br />

Jackie Jessop<br />

Elena Karacharova<br />

Liz & Seymour Kelly<br />

Doreen King<br />

Anna Larking<br />

Sandra & Philip Lyons<br />

Debbie Marco<br />

Robert Markless<br />

Irene McMillen<br />

Helen & Andrew<br />

Mendelson<br />

David Merkel<br />

Louise Michelson<br />

Jonathan Miller<br />

Valerie Morland<br />

Jenny & Nick Osorio<br />

Judith Osorio<br />

Katia & Paul Ray<br />

Danny Rich<br />

Michael Rich<br />

Pam & Cedric Rigal<br />

Miriam Rodell<br />

Maria Rollin<br />

Sylvia Rose<br />

James Sales<br />

Gary Samuels<br />

Angela Sawano<br />

Beverley & Carl Scheib<br />

Mirek Siba<br />

Unni & Andor Silver<br />

Mary & Craig Simmons<br />

Daniel Simon<br />

John Simon<br />

Barbara & Tony Spevack<br />

Fleur Standring<br />

Linda & Ray Stone<br />

Judy & Ron Thwaites<br />

Carole Tomlin<br />

Joyce Tyrer<br />

Leslie Viney<br />

Mary & John Watson<br />

Sandra & Howard Webber<br />

Kate & David Wilder<br />

Jenny & Mark Woolfe<br />

Estate of Isadore Caine<br />

Estate of Bob Milesi<br />

Several anonymous<br />

donors<br />

26 – <strong>KLS</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>


A vibrant, joyful community with 50 years of<br />

actively celebrating Jewish tradition with a<br />

progressive, modern outlook.<br />

Kingston<br />

Liberal<br />

Synagogue<br />

Rushett Road, Long Ditton KT7 0UX<br />

Tel: 020 8398 7400<br />

Email: office@klsonline.org<br />

www.klsonline.org<br />

Registered Charity No. 270792

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