KLS-Annual Report-17-18-ONLINE

Introduction
Craig Simmons
Chair’s report
We hope this new style of annual report conveys some of the warmth of the
community, its wide range of activities and that it will support our endeavours
to promote KLS to visitors, prospective members and other organisations. I am
grateful for everyone who has contributed and to Nora Zimerman who created the
design.
The year marked a milestone in the development of KLS as we celebrated our 50th
anniversary. It was also the start of a new, exciting era with the appointment of
Rabbi René. It enabled us to look back at the strong community our founders had
created and that successive generations of members continue to build on with
enormous pride, expressed in particular at an outstanding anniversary service, a
very special anniversary chavurah supper, and at Rabbi René’s induction. It was
heart-warming to share this with the many local dignitaries and interfaith leaders
who attended.
It also provides an opportunity to look forward. Rabbi René has already helped us
begin to address some of the challenges which we currently face. His passion for
knowledge has meant we now have three regular adult learning sessions as well
as his thoughtful sermons. We have also been able to expand our care team to
help achieve our goal to be a responsive, caring community. Our external profile is
improving once again with a number of initiatives being undertaken by the team led
by Vince Daly who we welcomed back on Council in 2017. The interfaith Chanukah
celebration was a superb example.
We still have much to do. As well as being an ever-improving institution for existing
members, we need to review the current structure of our children’s learning at
Beiteinu, building on what we have and enhancing it; find new Council members
and volunteers for a number of roles which members are stepping down from after
many years of loyal service; promote KLS further to attract new members; and find
additional revenue to meet all our costs.
With imagination and the combined efforts of all members, we can achieve them.
Mike Barnato
President’s Report
My role as President is, of course, very different to that of the Chair. It is a
supportive and representational role; it is not decision making and managerial.
I try to avoid being either a “back seat driver” or disconnected from what’s going on.
It is a fine balance.
I assisted the KLS Chair, Council, Rabbi and members, as requested. This included:
• Acting as a sounding board for the Chair
• Contributing to Council discussion of strategic priorities
• External representation with religious, civic and business institutions
• At events, welcoming, thanking attendees or (for the first time) compering
• Inviting potential members and friends to KLS
• Ongoing meeting and greeting visitors and members.
KLS celebrated its 50th anniversary year in some style and welcomed the arrival of
Rabbi René. Chair and Council, who are volunteers, deserve considerable praise for
these achievements.
Our activities are wide ranging and include Religion, Outreach, Social & Education
(ROSE). Together we offer something vital - in Rabbi René’s words - “community”.
I hope that KLS can move forward, with positivity and not too many hard choices. So
we develop faith, fellowship, future (learning), family, funds, fun and philanthropy.
4 – KLS Annual Report 2017