Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue
Annual Trustees Report for Financial Year 2024/2025
31 August 2025
Trustees Report for the year ended 31 August 2025
The Trustees present their report along with the charity accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Adat Yeshua accounting policies and comply with the applicable law and the requirements of SORP 2005, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue Charity Registration Number 1116976 Office Essex Street, Norwich, NR2 2BL Board of Trustees Caroline Ralph (Chair of Trustees, appointed July 2024) Mark Hillier Daniel Abrahams (appointed June 2024)
Constitution and objects
The Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue is constituted under a deed of trust established in 2006.
The principal objects of the Synagogue are to function as a community home for Jews and Converts who follow Messianic Judaism and follow the Jewish Messiah and to promote Messianic Judaism in the spheres of public worship, religious, educational, social, cultural and charitable activities.
Structure, governance and management
The charity Trustees are responsible for carrying out activities specified in the Trust deed. The Trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits.
The Trust Deed sets out a requirement for the Trustees to meet at least three times a year and liaise frequently to review the operational and financial activities of the Synagogue. During 2024/25 the Trustees were involved in promoting the objectives of the Synagogue, such as arranging or joining in arranging worship services, Synagogue meetings and events, publish or distribute information, cooperate with other bodies and engage in fundraising activities on behalf of the charity.
Following the turbulent events of the previous financial year, the Trustees focussed on rebuilding a functional governance structure for the Synagogue, working with the Synagogue leadership to manage the Synagogue affairs. During this financial year, the Synagogue – and its leadership – were the target of negative publicity in February 2025 by the Jewish Chronicle. The allegations were rigorously disputed by the Synagogue leadership and a complaint was filed with IPSO for breach of editorial standards by the newspaper.
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The Synagogue Leadership Team is responsible for the recruitment of new Trustees, seeking views and recommendations from the Synagogue community. In selecting new Trustees, we seek to identify members in good standing who regularly attend services, functions and events organised by the Charity and are willing to volunteer to help in our community work.
External affiliations
The Synagogue is affiliated with the Union of British Messianic Synagogues (‘UBMS’). The UBMS provides a leadership, training and accountability structure for the affiliated Synagogues and acts as an employer to the Rabbi appointed to the Synagogue's leadership.
Reporting Public Benefit
The Trustees have considered the public benefit reporting requirements, as set out by the Charity Commission’s general guidance, and its supplementary guidance on advancement of religion for public benefit.
The detailed information in the sections “ Advancing Jewish faith ” and “ Hardship Relief ” of this report provide detail about the activities of the Synagogue and how these activities further the charity’s purposes for public benefit. In particular, this annual report also addresses the two key principles by which the charity assesses public benefit:
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There must be an identifiable benefit – the Synagogue is a spiritual home and provides Jewish context to Jewish people who believe Yeshua is the promised Messiah of Israel, and the Son of God. The provision of a foodbank is an expression of the Synagogue belief in “Tzedakah” and “Mitzvot” (good works and fulfilling commandments) – and thus being a blessing to the community in which it resides.
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Benefit must be to the public or a section of the public – the Synagogue is made available to Jews (both by birth and by choice) who profess their faith in Yeshua and our faith is communicated to the wider public through its work. Any member of the Synagogue and the general NR2 area of Norwich can benefit from the charity’s hardship relief activities.
Our Synagogue's activities reflect our dedication to fulfilling our charitable objectives. The Trustees are confident that these endeavours benefit our members and the broader community in Norwich and beyond.
Achievement of objectives and review of activities
Our objectives are set in the charity’s Trust Deed and are summarised below:
- To advance the Jewish faith through the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah in such ways and such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees from time to time may think fit;
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- To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by providing funds, goods, or services of any kind, including through counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees from time to time may think fit.
Our objectives are set to reflect our faith and community aims. Each year, the objectives and activities of the Synagogue are reviewed to ensure they continue to reflect our aims.
Advancing Jewish faith
At Adat Yeshua, we invite the community for services on Shabbat and the High Holy Days. We offer a welcoming space for individuals to explore our faith and to participate in worship. The services are led by our Rabbi, supported by a dedicated leadership team.
The Synagogue provides space for the members of the community for regular Shabbat services, High Holy Days, Rosh Chodesh services, Erev Shabbat meals and regular opportunities for public and private prayers.
The Rabbi also runs regular teaching sessions to promote and enhance the community knowledge of the Torah, Haftorah and Messianic Writings and Jewish lifestyle awareness.
Education remains a pivotal aspect of our mission, with the Synagogue offering various courses, including “Gateway to Messianic Judaism”, a course which teaches the fundamentals of Messianic Judaism and enables participants to come to an informed decision about whether Messianic Judaism is the right path for them. For those who want to continue, membership is offered with conversion available for those not born/raised Jewish. Conversions are granted by the UBMS Beth Din, of which the Synagogue Rabbi is a member. The Gateway course remains popular, having an international reach, and this underscores our dedication to growth and inclusivity.
Our outreach efforts continue to flourish, with the Rabbi leading in teaching about Jewish life in schools and accepting speaking engagements from local churches curious about Messianic Judaism. These endeavours educate and foster a deeper understanding and respect for our faith traditions within the wider community.
The Synagogue uses broadcasting equipment to stream our Shabbat services, significantly expanding our reach. This enables us to connect with the Synagogue members and supporters, who may be unable to attend regular services in person for various reasons.
Hardship relief
Tzedakah, the practice of charitable giving, lies at the heart of our faith. Our congregation's generous tithes and donations sustain the Synagogue's day-to-day operations and bolster our efforts to support members and associated organisations facing financial difficulties. The Synagogue established a special hardship fund which is available to aid those in our community experiencing financial hardship.
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Our commitment to social responsibility extends beyond our walls. We've proudly supported the JNF's tree planting initiative and engaged in local activities, such as a highly successful Mitzvah Day litter-picking event, thus enhancing our community's environment.
During 2024/25, we continued to operate the foodbank for the use of people based in the NR2 postcode. The foodbank operates on a weekly basis and provides support for over 80 clients, both individuals and families.
The Synagogue's leadership, including the Leaders and Trustees, continue to review the community activities. Updates are shared with our community through the Virtual Jewish Community Facebook platform, ensuring all members are informed and engaged.
Future Plans
The Trustees set the following key objectives for the 2024/25:
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Governance: The focus for the Synagogue for the upcoming year is to continue reviewing and strengthening its governance, policies and processes, and to act as a vibrant place for all its members.
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Engaging with the wider community: Efforts will continue to enable building of relationships with both Jewish and Christian communities in Norwich and nationally.
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Foodbank: We will continue to develop these vital services within our Synagogue complex, addressing the needs of the less fortunate in our community.
The Trustees monitored progress against these objectives during the year and determined they should be carried forward into 2025/2026. Through these initiatives, the Synagogue aims to build on its successes and broaden the impact of its work, ensuring a vibrant future for the community and those we serve.
Financial review
The Payments and Receipts Accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 are set out in an attached document. It shows total receipts of 182,836 . This compares with last year’s balance of £148,754.
Most of the charity’s income comes from tithes and charitable donations to the Synagogue. During the year, the Synagogue received £178,342 of donations and grants (compared with £144,512 in 2023/24), including the Gift Aid claims on eligible donations. The balance includes £5,745 of funds the charity has received from Community Security Trust (CST) via the Government’s Jewish Community Protective Security Grant for 2024/25.
The donations are allocated between the General Fund and the three restricted funds (Capital Fund, Financial Support Fund and Foodbank). The movement in the funds is documented in the Statement of Financial Activities.
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The Synagogue’s main areas of expenditure during the year were salary, foodbank and costs associated with the Synagogue building security.
The Synagogue adheres to the UBMS policy of paying the national Living Wage as a minimum.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the Synagogue to maintain our unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the Synagogue, at a level which is adequate to keep the Synagogue solvent. In addition to the unrestricted general fund, the Synagogue operates three restricted funds:
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Financial Support Fund to support those suffering financial hardship;
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Foodbank Fund to support the activities of the Synagogue foodbank; and
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Capital Fund for refurbishment and associated capital costs of the Synagogue building.
Risk Management
The Trustees have discussed risks faced by the Synagogue and considered the systems in place to manage those risks. The Trustees determined that further work is required on developing those systems and this will be the ongoing focus of the Trustees’ work in future months.
Appropriate DBS checks, supported by appropriate safeguarding policies, are made for those who work with children or vulnerable groups within the Synagogue.
The Synagogue has appropriate insurance in place.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 4[th] June 2026 and signed on its behalf by the Chair of Trustees.
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Receipts and Payments Accounts – Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 August 2025
Cash basis
| General Fund | Restricted Funds Note 1. |
Total 2025 | Total 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charitable Donations (Note 1.) | 171,837 | 6,506 | 178,342 | 144,512 |
| Income from Charitable Activities | 3,431 | 0 | 3,431 | 3,433 |
| Investment Income | 1,063 | 0 | 1,063 | 809 |
| Total Receipts | 176,330 | 6,506 | 182,836 | 148,754 |
| Salaries and wages | (92,502) | 0 | (92,502) | (110,221) |
| Social security costs | (5,978) | 0 | (5,978) | (5,715) |
| Pension costs | (2,525) | 0 | (2,525) | (2,037) |
| Medical Expenses | (835) | 0 | (835) | (107) |
| Total Employment-related Costs | (101,841) | 0 | (101,841) | (118,080) |
| Gifts/grants to individuals | (5) | (4,552) | (4,557) | (11,341) |
| Gifts/grants to institutions | (162) | 0 | (162) | (3,716) |
| Other charitable activities | (2,439) | (105) | (2,544) | (2,086) |
| Total Charitable activities | (2,606) | (4,657) | (7,262) | (17,142) |
| Building Costs | (15,329) | 0 | (15,329) | (12,545) |
| Equipment Costs | (1,221) | 0 | (1,221) | (1,513) |
| Administrative Costs | (5,409) | 0 | (5,409) | (6,487) |
| Finance costs | (971) | 0 | (971) | (1,291) |
| Total Payments | (127,377) | (4,657) | (132,034) | (157,059) |
| Net of receipts / (payments) | 48,953 | 1,849 | 50,802 | (8,305) |
Note 1. This balance includes £5,745 of funds the charity has received from CST via the Government’s Jewish Community Protective Security Grant for 2024/25. The security sub-grant was wholly allocated to the charity’s General Fund.
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Receipts and Payments Accounts – Balance Sheet
For the year ended 31 August 2025
Cash basis
| Receipts and Payments Accounts – Balance Sheet For the year ended 31 August 2025 Cash basis |
||
|---|---|---|
| Categories | 31 Aug 2025 | 31 Aug 2024 |
| Fixed Assets | ||
| Buildings | 201,777 | 201,777 |
| Office equipment | 900 | 900 |
| Total Fixed Assets | 202,677 | 202,677 |
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash | 269 | 0 |
| HSBC Main | 8,426 | 8,553 |
| HSBC Savings | 55,125 | 20,862 |
| PayPal | 878 | 0 |
| Total Current Assets | 64,698 | 29,415 |
| Creditors | ||
| Accounts Payable | 0 | (114) |
| Loan Repayment | 32,076 | 48,363 |
| Barclaycard | 654 | 0 |
| Total Creditors | 32,730 | 48,249 |
| Net Current Assets (Liabilities) | 31,968 | (18,834) |
| Total Assets less Liabilities | 234,645 | 183,843 |
| Capital and Reserves | ||
| Current Year Earnings | 50,802 | (8,305) |
| Retained Earnings | 183,843 | 192,148 |
| Total Capital and Reserves | 234,645 | 183,843 |
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Note 1. Restricted funds summary
| Capital Fund | Financial Support Fund |
Foodbank | Total restricted funds |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund balance b/f | 1,434 | 3,284 | 2,561 | 7,279 |
| Charitable Donations | 50 | 1,200 | 5,256 | 6,506 |
| Gifts/grants to individuals | (299) | (4,253) | (4,552) | |
| Other charitable activities | (105) | (105) | ||
| Total for the year | 50 | 901 | 898 | 1,849 |
| Fund balance c/f | 1,484 | 4,185 | 3,459 | 9,128 |
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Adat Yeshua Messianic Synagogue (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20.1.1 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination 1 have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the
examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Ian (Jun 5, 2026, 3:25pm)
Mr Ian M Pope FCCA Artema Brooke House Oakley Hill Wimborne Dorset BH21 1RJ
Date: 05 June 2026
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