CHAIRMAN’S REPORT - 2006
Members
We currently have 437 members, compared with last year’s figure of 480 members.
Subscriptions
Membership subscriptions continue to be our primary source of income. Many members sometimes struggle to pay their shul fees and that they still make this a priority is to their honour. With that in mind, I ask please for those of you who are, thank G-d not financially challenged, to clear your arrears by return.
Finances
The Treasurer’s Report says it all. Last year’s “operating” deficit of £51, 133 on the Unrestricted Funds has been eliminated. However, there will be even greater challenges ahead, and we will need to continue the fairly tough budgetary controls if we are to remain in good financial shape.
Caretakers
We offered our former caretakers, Reg & Pat Sprinthall, and John Alliston different terms and conditions during the year which were more in line with our current requirements and budgets. Sadly, they chose to resign, and we wish them well in the future. After a long search, we were fortunate to employ Andre Cracco to help us at New Church Road. Due to his friendly and helpful manner, Andre is already proving to be very popular, and we hope that he will enjoy a long association with us.
Hove Hebrew Congregation
Pursuant to a resolution at our last AGM, there have been no discussions during the year with HHC about merger. We hope that there will come a time soon when the vision of a joint Orthodox congregation will be more powerful to all concerned than the factors which prevail in the matter at the moment.
Restoration of Middle Street Synagogue (ROMSS)
Jack Simons and Mike Flashman thankfully stepped forward to head up our ROMMS Committee. They engaged a professional fundraiser. Of course, everyone wishes the project well because it would enable the Congregation to retain our beautiful Middle Street Synagogue.
Last December, the Board was faced with the dilemma of having to choose between the heart (retaining the Middle Street Synagogue) and the head (ensuring that our overall financial interests were best protected). We devised a plan of action called “An Honourable Alternative” which involves:
(a) incorporating the ROMSS Committee into a separate legal entity;
(b) registering it for Charity Act purposes;
(c) transferring the Middle Street Synagogue to the new entity in return for a financial sum which would be provided by us by way of mortgage;
(d) the return of that property to us in the event that the mortgage conditions are not complied with.
This plan (which was acceptable to English Heritage) was agreed and adopted by both our Board and the Joint Chairmen of the ROMSS Committee. Based upon that agreement, the Board accepted the extended Grant Offer made to us by English Heritage. However, none of the above steps have been implemented at this time although, hopefully, we will be able to make progress on (a) above soon.
This means that the Congregation continues to be responsible for the actual and potential liabilities appertaining to Middle Street unless and until the Honourable Alternative Agreement is implemented.
Frankly, it seems to me that those who created such a fuss in earlier times to advance the cause of ROMSS must now support the Committee’s Co-Chairmen by seriously digging into their pockets, and encouraging many others to do so likewise. Otherwise, this exercise will fail, and they will have only themselves to blame.
Kol Hakavod
On behalf of you all, I would like to thank everyone who has done something to help our Community during the past year and, of course in very many cases, for many years before that. Without detracting in any way from the acts of kindness by many other members, I would like to specifically mention the following:
Rabbi and Mrs Efune for their continuing magnificent contribution to our spiritual well-being and advancement. Two very special and indispensable people who mean so much to us. The very best of both the Jewish Head and the Jewish Heart
Rabbi Lewis for his consistently competent leyning on Shabbat morning services (for which we pay not a single penny). To both the Rabbi and to Shterna, very many thanks are also due for the very considerable efforts which they have made to connect younger Jews in the city with living Judaism.
our Gabbayim, Jonathan Hyman and Ronnie Arden for all that they do to make our Shabbat and Yomtov services run so smoothly
the members of our Chevra Kadisha for rendering the very kindest of work at times which are the most difficult
Graham Gordon for being possibly the best Treasurer we have had for very many years. Notwithstanding the pressures of a demanding full-time job, and all his other commitments during the year (including Adam’s simcha), Graham has been mostly responsible for the elimination of our operating deficit. His achievement is little short of miraculous, and a glowing example of what can be done through sheer hard work and a disciplined approach to financial control combined with menschkeit
Ronnie Arden for being the best Vice Chairman it is possible to have. His recipe for success in Shul Business which he knows so well is to mix sound judgment and strength of character with very large doses of respect and compassion. Every Shul Board needs its Ronnie. We have been blessed with the original. !00% vintage Mensch
David Seidel for all those dozens of hours after hours of work which resulted in our incorporation. David’s commitment to BHHC and his sheer professionalism have been absolutely fantastic, and his positive approach to potential difficulties has been inspirational
Ivor Richards for just getting on and sorting dozens and dozens of issues at both New Church Road and at Meadowview. It was mainly with Ivor’s help, for example, that the security difficulties which we had the Grounds during the year were swiftly brought under control. Someone who you can rely upon to get a job done effectively and professionally
Michael Shaw for his strength of character and complete dedication to the things which really matter at BHHC
Michael Crook for his consistently wise counsel and sound judgment in so many of the areas which came before the Board for discussion. Michael was the Board Member who finally made the new roof at NCR actually happen
Gordon Franks for all his help getting together all the deeds and other documentation needed with our incorporation
the Ladies Guild for all their help with Kiddushim, decorating the Shul on Shavu’ot, etc.
all the members of the Board of Management for all the kind things they have said and done in the best interests of the Congregation
Lesley Shaw and Janice Greenwood for looking after the administration of the Office and for a thousand other things, many of which one wouldn’t even ordinarily notice
Godfrey Gould and the Shofar Committee for the ever-increasingly high standards of our bi-annual shul magazine
Tony Rose for his continuing efforts on our behalf regarding security, notwithstanding his retirement from the job during the year
Sorrel Bourne for her work in preparing the AGM Minutes
the small team of volunteer guides who continue to show school parties around our Middle Street Synagogue
Cecily Woolf for getting a much more positive picture of our events etc into the JC. There is a limit to how far she can push certain things for us, but we have all gained from her positive reports
the cheiny kids you come up onto the bimah for Anim Z’mirot and Adon Olam
Over the past year, our many communal activities have included a Shabbat lunch at Shavuot, a lunch in the sukkah at Sukkot, a Malavah Malkah at Chanukah, and a joint Yom Hashaoah service with Hove Hebrew Congregation.
Finally, thank you to my Melanie, without whom much of my input would not have been possible.
Keith Davis
1st Av 5766
26th July 2006.