MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE – TUESDAY 23 MAY 2023
Present: Mr David Landau (Chairman)
Mr Philip Singer (Vice Chair)
Mr Stuart Kurz (Financial Representative)
Mr Stephen Goldman (Warden)
Mr Mike Potashnick (Warden)
In Attendance: Rabbi David Lister
Mr Avi Son (Community Development Manager)
Mrs Naomi Herman (Community Administrator)
1. WELCOME
Mr David Landau welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.
Mr David Landau asked if any members of the Press were present.
Mr David Landau advised the Community that sadly our Elder Mr Basil Davis had passed away and he wished Chayim Aruchim to all those who have lost family and friends. A minute’s silence was held in remembrance of all those whom had passed away in the last year.
2. D’VAR TORAH
Rabbi David Lister gave a brief D’Var Torah.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Mrs Sandy Potashnick and Mr David Arden approved the minutes of last year’s AGM held on 17 May 2022.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
A copy of the Chairman’s report is attached to these Minutes.
6. FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT
Mr Stuart Kurz presented the accounts for the year, a copy of which are attached to the main copy of the Minutes together with the copy of his report.
Mr Howard Bull asked why the general expenditure was quite high, and if these were recurring expenses. Mr Stuart Kurz advised that the expenses are recurring and the largest expense was the £105,000 payover to Head Office. Mr Stuart Kurz said he would e-mail a more detailed response, a copy of which is attached to these Minutes.
Mr Michael Attar asked what the increase in other income was, Mr Stuart Kurz said that he would also e-mail him a more detailed answer, but briefly explained that wages have increased as we had a new member of staff in our Community Development Manager, Mr Avi Son.
Mr Stephen Goldman and Mr Brian Gordon accepted the accounts and a vote was carried to adopt them.
Mr David Landau thanked Mr Stuart Kurz.
7. WARDEN’S REPORT
A copy of the Warden’s report is attached to the main Minutes.
8. RABBI’S REPORT
A copy of the Rabbi’s report is attached to the main Minutes.
9. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER REPORT
A copy of the Community Development Manager’s (Mr Avi Son) report is attached to the main Minutes.
10. BOARD OF DEPUTIES REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
Mr Spencer Nathan gave the annual report on behalf of the Board of Deputies and a copy is attached to the main Minutes.
11. QUESTIONS TO THE HONORARY OFFICERS
Rabbi Stephen Phillips commented that for a Shul this size, it should be statutory to employ a Chazan. Mr Stephen Goldman replied that he and Mr Mike Potashnick were trying to facilitate this and that at the moment we had a variety of Chazanim that we were trying out.
Mr David Hyman asked if there was an archive of photos of the Shul and Mr Phil Singer advised there were photos on Facebook but he would more to the website.
Mr Andrew Sherling asked why the whole Executive stood down at the same time and Mr David Landau advised that this was a 2 year term only. Mr Landau also advised that only 4 of the Executive were able to continue, and only 2 wanted to do so, as they wanted to bring in new blood.
Mr Andrew Sherling also commented that Project Harmony was a good idea, but none of the Community could join in. Mr Mike Potashnick responded that although it was lovely the project had not worked as hoped and they were looking at how to move forward. Mr Mike Potashnick also felt that the project had not worked as the Community were unwilling to engage and advised that the music would be released out to the Community.
Mrs Diana Bronson asked if there were long term plans for the renovation of the Building and Mr David Landau advised that there were long term plans, but as always there were financial constraints and that Covid had happened. Mr David Landau said that just to paint the Shul would cost £10,000 and each job had to be prioritised. Mr David Landau further commented that Mr Brian Gordon and the new Executive would take this forward.
Mrs Diana Bronson suggested that we did some fund raising and Mr David Landau replied by saying he felt this wouldn’t work.
12. ELECTION RESULTS
Mr David Landau announced the Election results as follows:
Vice Chairs
Mr David Arden, Mr Keith Myers and Mrs Debbie Warmberg.
Male Synagogue Council:
Anthony Chaimowitz, Elliot Golend, Daniel Roth, David Samuels, Andrew Wilfin, Phillip Vaughan and Alan Shaw.
Female Synagogue Council:
Judith Castle, Sylvia Hartman, Florette Hyman, Danielle Ovadia, Amanda Seligmann and Anne Shisler.
Mr David Landau wished everyone Mazel-Tov.
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Brian Gordon introduced himself and thanked everyone for their warm wishes. Mr Brian Gordon also thanked Mr David Landau for his dedication and time and passion and that the whole Council has been inspiring which is the reason for him standing as Chair.
Mrs Sylvia Hartman thanked everyone and commented that it would have been nice to have read out all the positions on the Executive and Synagogue Council.
Mrs Sylvia Hartman said she was glad to be the Women’s Officer together with Mrs Vanessa Kushner who has now stood down.
Mrs Sylvia Hartman advised there was a talk with the President of the Board of Deputies Marie Van De Zyll and it would be nice if more women supported this.
Mr David Landau read out the other positions as follows:
Chairman
Mr Brian Gordon
Wardens
Mr Mike Potashnick
Mr Michael Rosen
The meeting was closed at 21.35 and concluded with the singing of the Hatikvah led by Rabbi Lister and the National Anthem as well as thanks from Mr David Landau.
The Reports from the 2023 AGM will be available on the evening of the 2024 AGM or if you would like to be sent them electronically, please contact office@edgwareu.com