2022-07-31-accounts

BRISTOL HEBREW CONGREGATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Sunday 11[th] December 2022, 3.00pm at Park Row Synagogue, Frank Cohen Hall

Meeting opened:

Present: David Turns (President), Tony Gordon (Vice-President), David Stillitz (Secretary), Carol Simmons (Treasurer), Eve Gordon, Garry Temple, Linsey Clark, Clive Lawton, JJ Martin, Janet Lee, Amir Morris, Mark Braude

1. Welcome and Apologies for Absence

• a. Apologies: Noam Adani

2. Remembrance

• a. Namely for Sam Silverman, Richard Tuchband, and Heidi Furlong.

3. Minutes of the AGM held on 12[th] December 2021

• a. Proposed TG, seconded Clive Lawton.

• b. In last year’s minutes it sited the 2019 AGM on Zoom, but it needs to be corrected to 2020.

• c. Linsey Clark, not Clarke.

• d. Distribute minutes from last year’s minutes to be approved in Oct/Nov, not Dec.

4. Matters Arising

• a. none

5. Chairman’s Report

• a. DT reports over the past year, we have returned to normal life after the pandemic with attendance increasing over the year with a steady trickle of people moving to Bristol. We make people feel welcome and may come to be members of the community.

• b. We have had a Purim and Chanukah events, plus Mendy’s communal seder.

• c. DT pays appreciation to Rabbi Mendy and all those that have led the services, such as Yoram, Amir and Clive. The congregation exists and functions on

these services and so we are grateful to those that are able and willing to contribute in taking the services.

• d. The shul hasn’t been open to the public as it normally has. The architecture centre will only have regular open days every other year. So it will be open next year.

• e. DT recognises the honorary officers and their contribution, as well as all council members. Thanks to Carol, Tony and David.

• f. We now have a mechitza in the shul, in place since Rosh Hashana and has been well used since. This took a lot of time to arrange, but we are happy that it is established through a sub committee headed up by TG, advised by Clive. Janet Lee said he appreciates it but is concerned that she is being heard singing by Mendy; but Clive explains that the mechitza absolves any issue with kol isha.

• g. DT references Alex Schlesinger’s report of 2018 as Alex had to step back because of his health. DT announces that if he is re-elected this year, he will be leaving the country in October 2023 for a job in Sweden. He thanks for the support so far.

6. Treasurer’s Report

i. Balances

The accounts are attached for the year up to July 2022.

The present balances as at 10.12.2022 are:

• a. BHC 1 account: £ 2,401.88 (running costs)

• b. BHC 2 account: £ 3,449.81 (membership fees for Gift Aid)

Various means to pay the Shul have been issued

• A debit card has been issued

• Paypal is in place

• Donorbox linked to ‘Stripe’ has been created and is in process of being put on to the website so people can make donations and pay fees via the website. This will come online in the next couple of months so that people will be able to apply for membership and pay for fees via the website.

ii. Income

• a. Membership subs will be reclaimed when they are all in. GA can be claimed for up to 4 years in retrospect for those who are eligible.

• b. EEA securities has been applied for to change contact. No response has been received to date.

• c. Fees for the various functions we hold such as Bar Mitzvahs and Brits and hall use need to be put on the website. It was suggested that the fee would be £250 for the hall for non-members.

iii. Membership

• b. There are now 66 members (including named spouses). Requests for membership fees went out in October.

iv. Running expenses.

• a. Gas – the winter heating is on, and the Gas bill will reflect that with the inflated prices this year.

• b. TG asks that next year we separate cleaning from maintenance.

7. Board of Deputies Representative’s Report

BOARD OF DEPUTIES REPORT DECEMBER 2022

Once again I have much pleasure in presenting this years’ BOD report for the AGM. I apologise for being unable to attend in person.

This is the end of the first year of a further three-year term on the Board of Deputies which I have agreed to serve. At that point another representative will need to be elected. I think I will have served my time by then!

This year has seen the Boards’ activities returning to a degree of normality following the pandemic. Nevertheless, meetings do now take a hybrid form with meetings taking place at a location in Camden but still also accessible on Zoom. I have participated in the majority of meetings throughout the year. In addition to the various working groups covering a range of activities, there are also regular meetings for Deputies representing provincial synagogues/organisations.

In these reports in past years I have detailed my credentials for representing BHC as an old Bristolian.

I have also described in some detail the Boards’ structure and governance and its primary areas of interest.

I trust therefore that you will forgive me (or thank me?) for not going over this again. I will therefore simply describe some of the activities the Board has been involved in, which as always are manifold and varied. There are usually about 6 meetings a year including one at a regional weekend which this year was held in Manchester. I still hope that one day this could take place in Bristol perhaps in conjunction with the other Bristol synagogue who are also represented on the Board, albeit I do understand that would be a very large undertaking.

This year a number of guests have spoken at meetings, including the chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Maurice Helfgot chair of WJR, Nina Freedman past president of UJS, Sally Seally of the Holocaust memorial foundation, and Melinda Simmons UK ambassador to Ukraine.

Sadly, and perhaps unsurprisingly the issue which arises most frequently is that of antisemitism. The battle against this ongoing threat is being fought on many fronts.

The Board was active in complaining to the BBC about its coverage of the Chanukah bus incident in Oxford street, where the BBC alleged that the young people who had been the victims of abuse in this incident had somehow been guilty of provocation themselves.

An independent enquiry recently concluded that this was NOT the case and the BBC were criticised accordingly.

The Board also expressed its concerns to the CPS that no prosecutions had followed against the perpetrators.

Similarly concerns were expressed that the cases against some of the participants in the Palestinian convoy “incident in north west London had not been prosecuted.

There have also been deep concerns regarding the involvement of clearly anti-Semitic speakers on the BBC Arabic service which has a huge audience.

An area of great concern is anti -Israel activity on campus, which frequently crosses the line into anti-Semitism . This has had the effect of causing some Jewish students to feel very uncomfortable and anxious. One hopes that the situation for Bristol students has eased following the departure of David Miller from the university. I would be interested to know if the situation has indeed improved.

The Board does all that it can to support Jewish students and works closely with the UJS. The so called “Israel apartheid week “is a particularly difficult time and letters have been written to numerous vice chancellors urging them to protect Jewish students.

The governments’ decision to sever all links with the NUS due to its unacceptable stance on various issues has been welcomed as has the resignation of the NUS president.

There was a lot of activity surrounding the May local elections with hustings events taking place in a number of areas. The opportunity was also taken to influence local authorities to adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism. The Board also participated in preparing/publishing the Jewish manifesto highlighting a diverse range of matters of interest and concern to the community.

Board representatives, where possible attended party conferences, (some of which took place over the high holy days.)

Together with the JLC a recent meeting was held with Sir Keir Starmer and other members of his team.

Meetings take place with a variety of representatives from numerous organisations including the police, the CPS, the Home office, and other government departments. It liaises with the diplomatic core through contacts with representatives of various foreign embassies, and through contacts with the foreign and commonwealth office.

Support has been given to the proposed holocaust memorial next to parliament, which the government are strongly advocating for. The issue however has split the community with strong feelings both for and against.

The Board administers the all-party parliamentary committee on British Jews, whose leaders include MPs Robert Jenrick and Margaret Hodge.

There was attendance at the SACRE conference and where possible SACRE representatives are supported.

The Board is trying hard to encourage the involvement of younger people in its work. This is done by encouraging people to nominate younger deputies and through enabling young people to attend as observers. There are currently 310 deputies and observers, of which 93 are women.

The president of the Board attended the funeral of Her majesty the queen, and formal condolences were of course sent to the Royal family on behalf of the community.

One meeting of the Board was dedicated exclusively to tributes from deputies to the late Queen.

Deputies and staff have been working on implementation of the recommendations of Stephen Bush report on equality issues in the community.

A grant of £100,000 was received from the ADL to digitise a special programme for all schools, including the Jewish community, Judaism and antisemitism.

An application has been made to a UN body which enables NGOs to become involved in some aspects of UN work.

The Board is to be found throughout the year attending and supporting large communal events such as the AJEX parade and Limmud , as well has whole heartedly supporting mitzvah day activities.

Support has been given to the community in Scotland which has been experiencing particular problems and a meeting has taken place with community leaders in Northern Ireland.

Other activities include the “Hidden Treasures “project which is collating and digitising a wealth of historical /heritage materials from around the community.

The “Jewish Living Experience “exhibition continues to tour the country.

As well as having many communal organisations as members there are particularly close working relationships with the Jewish Leadership Council, the Community security trust, and others.

The above is simply a list of some of the Boards activities. There are many more!

The board has compiled many exhibitions and projects such as Hidden Treasures, a project which is collating and digitising a wealth of historical /heritage materials from around the community.

The regular newsletter which is included in the Recorder also provides lots of information.

If anyone would like any further information about the Board and its work please don’t hesitate to contact me. Similarly, I would be happy to raise any issues which Shul members would like to raise.

Leon Smith

8. Security Report

• a. No security issues this year.

• b. A new lock and camera have been fitted.

• c. Fire extinguishers have been serviced.

• d. EG asks if we have any smoke alarms as we should have them. GT will investigate.

• e. In the shul, we have had new heating pumps installed; and a new fridge has come in.

• f. We acknowledge the work that Anton has done, and that Garry continues to do.

9. Housekeeping & Flats Management Report

• a. All flats are rented at the moment.

• b. We had to evict the tenant in flat C this year so lost so income there. A short fall of £6k, plus legal costs of £2k.

• c. We have a gardener come in.

• d. Damp has been dealt with.

10. Chevra Kadisha Report

The Chevra Kadisha is Bristol's Jewish Burial Society and has been independently run alongside Park Row since its inception in 1743. We can arrange funerals for those who are halachically Jewish., whether shul members or not.

They can be buried in our Fishponds or Memorial Woodlands cemeteries.

Since the shul's last AGM we have had funerals for Sam Silverman, Richard Tuchband, and Heidi Furlong.

There are 3 trustees:-- myself as Chairman and Administrator, Yoram Adani to organise funerals and stonesettings, and Sam Baum who will gradually take over my position.

Ben Bar- Orien continues to well maintain the Fishponds, and Barton Vale (historic,) sites. At Fishponds there are around 20 spare plots plus reserved ones. At Memorial Woodlands there are over 120 plots; that site is maintained by the Memorial Woodlands company. Maintenance of graves themselves is the responsibility of next of kin. Access to the Fishponds site can be at any time as there is a tumbler padlock on the gate- --contact any of us for the code. At Memorial Woodlands, in case of bad/wet weather, a large popup gazebo can be used at extra cost. as Memorial Woodlands charge anyway for the use of their prayer hall.

Despite a relatively low turnout on 11 Sept for Open Day at Fishponds and Memorial Woodlands cemeteries, following a mailout to 100 next of kin, we received £740 from generous donations.

As part of its site redevelopment, HG Harris, the funeral directors at Staple Hill, quietly created a special fully fitted room for our teharim usage, free of charge, as a gesture for the decades of cooperation between us and them. Sam aims to to re-form tehara teams to use this room, regardless of where the burial is to be, now that Covid health rules have been cancelled.

Alan Elkan Chairman.

11. Cheder Report

• a. Up until the summer, we had 7 families attend the online cheder.

• b. Since the summer, we have 3 separate group 4-7 run by Chaya Singer attended by 4 families un onsite. Set up s youth group with Zach a student with 2 attendees aged 12-14, run onsite also. Shelley is running ages 8-11, attended by 4 families.

Vists

• a. Need a heading for next year for visits!!

• b. Will have had 36 visits in this year (up until Chanukah). Most are schools. 8 of 35 are where we have gone to the school. Plus the scouts, Rotary groups, and other institutions. LC, SB and DS have helped TG who does most of it.

• c. TG calls on other people to step forward if they are able.

12. Election of Honorary Officers and Members of Council

	Name	Nomination	Seconded	Position
1	David Turns	Tony	David S	President
2	TonyGordon	David S	David T	Vice-President
3	Carol Simmons	Tony	David S	Treasurer
4	David Stillitz	Tony	David T	Secretary
5	GarryTemple	Tony	David S	Security /Flats
6	Eve Gordon	Tony	David T
7	Ben Sanders	Tony	Carol
8	Noam Adani	Tony	David S
9	Linsey Clarke	Tony	David S

a. Other members can be co-opted up to 12 in total at the 1[st] meeting of the

new council in January. Members will consider other people at that meeting.

1. Election of Board of Deputies Representative

2. a. Leon Smith is in the middle of his term, and everyone is happy to continue.

14. Any Other Business

• a. Clive Lawton moved here in 2019, and expresses that there has been a healthy attendance, with maybe 20 men, which wasn’t the case when he arrived. This is a sign of growth, and the students are enthusiastic. So it is very much appreciated.

• b. Clive thanks David Turns for doing a great job!

Meeting ends: 4.28pm

Bristol Hebrew Congregation

Charity Number 1165722 (Incorporated 24th February 2016)

Bank Accounts - movement for the year ending 31st July 2022

Esther White ACA Chartered Accountants Henleaze, Bristol BS9 Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Bristol Hebrew Congregation

1165722

Bank Accounts - movement for the year ending 31st July 2022

Income Members Contributions Events Donations and Offerings Investment Income Rental Income School visits Investment sale Expenditure Ministerial Assistance Rabbi Expenses Light, power & heating Rent Rates (Water & General) Telephone Insurance Subscriptions & Donations Repairs, Maintenance & Cleaning Recorder Wine and provisions Guild payment Accountancy General Expenses Bank Charges Website Refurbishment of synagogue Chevra (burial society) Movement for the period Bank Balance Brought Forward / Introduced Bank Balance C/Fwd	July 2022 July 2021 £5,445.34 £7,172.50 £340.00 £0.00 £1,551.82 £15,000.00 £6,729.55 £5,741.69 £35,364.09 £41,226.77 £0.00 £292.50 £0.00 £50,000.00
	£49,430.80 £119,433.46
	July 2022 July 2021 £18,757.84 £16,964.95 £3,255.00 £0.00 £3,583.65 £2,782.96 £52.00 £0.00 £0.00 £528.18 £101.83 £0.00 £5,755.80 £6,581.46 £350.00 £516.04 £22,854.48 £20,025.63 £689.51 £825.68 £2,687.08 £0.00 £0.00 £500.00 £648.00 £774.00 £3,372.08 £0.00 £29.37 £0.00 £95.00 £96.00 £21,458.40 £68,905.20 £0.00
	£83,690.04 £118,500.10
	-£34,259.24 £933.36 £37,341.91 £36,408.55
	£3,082.67 £37,341.91

Approved by

Esther White ACA DATE: 5 December 2022

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Bristol Hebrew Congregation.

I report to the trustees on my examination of the income and expenditure accounts of the Bristol Hebrew Congregation (BHS) for the year ended 31[st] July 2022

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of BHC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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. 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.

5[th] December 2022

Esther White ACA

ICAEW Number 7957609