Cambridge Jewish Residents Association (CJRA CIO) Charity Number 1187648
CJRA Trustees’ Annual Report 1 June 2024 - 31 May 2025 Reference and administrative Information
Charity Name: Cambridge Jewish Residents Association CIO
Charity Registration Number 1187648
Address of Organisation - there is no official building or office. All Trustees work from their home addresses.
Trustees:
1. Marilyn Fersht, Chairman
2. Sylvia Morris, Treasurer
3. Eva Simmons, Vice Chair and Magazine Editor
4. Rachel Meller, Membership Secretary
5. Robert Marks, Treasurer of Burial Society
6. Ruth Barnett, Secretary of Burial Society
7. Valerie Collis, Education Officer
8. Tirza Bleehen, Welfare Officer
9. Kathrin Peters, Minute Secretary
10. Ruth Katz, Email Circular Editor
Structure, governance and management
The CJRA became a CIO on 29 January 2020 with a constitution, after many years of being an unincorporated charity. At the Annual General Meeting on 8 September 2022, it was agreed to increase the number of Trustees from the original two to ten, following a resolution that the board of charity trustees shall comprise: the Chairman and the Treasurer, during their tenure of office; and during their time on the committee all other Committee Members who choose so to be. All are volunteers. We have held five committee meetings and one AGM during the period of this report. All were held on Zoom. We also have many other volunteers who help run our different groups, in particular, a cross-community welfare support group.
Our members are charged a small subscription of £30 per annum per person. We have a category called Associate Members, who are mostly non-Jewish, who receive the magazine and can join in all our events and activities but have no burial rights. We had, at the end of the financial year, 158 full members and 13 associate members.
Our income is derived from subscriptions, donations, bank interest and gift aid.
Objectives and Activities
Our purpose is the advancement of the Jewish faith through the provision of religious services and burial, education to advance Jewish culture, history and knowledge and to provide social interaction and welfare for those in need. We are always open to those outside the Jewish faith, who would like to advance their knowledge of our religion, history, customs and culture. Entry to most of our talks and events is free.
We give financial support for the maintenance of the Synagogue building in Thompson’s Lane, Cambridge. The University of Cambridge Jewish Society runs the Synagogue with help from Jewish residents.
We enjoyed a community garden party on 11 August 2024 at a member’s home and supported a Chanukah Party with Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue on 29 December and enjoyed a Chanukah tea and quiz at a member’s home on 30 December.
Our Evening Talks programme: There were seven talks, which continued online and were well attended.
The monthly Monday afternoon meetings of the Cambridge Jewish Cultural Association continued in person and were well attended.
We sent out in the post three magazines, which contained information of all that is happening across the Cambridge Jewish community, as well as interesting articles and reports. We also offer an online version of the magazine. In addition, an email circular is sent out weekly to inform and remind our members and others of forthcoming activities and events.
Our Burial Society arranged 4 burials and 2 stone settings.
CJRA Treasurer's Report 2024/2025
Note - the accounts are prepared on a cash basis, so this shows cash movements in the year
| Income | Members Subscriptions | 5,054 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 0 | ||
| Gift Aid received this year for prior years | 773 | ||
| Chevra Kadisha | 3665 | See CK Expenditure below | |
| Welfare CJCS | 0 | ||
| Events | 100 | ||
| Total Receipts | 9,592 | ||
| In addition, we will shortly be receiving Gift Aid on the 24/25 subscriptions estimated as £751 (on subscriptions of £3,004) | |||
| Investment Interest | Natwest Liquidity | 1,721 | |
| Natwest Reserve | 125 | ||
| Saffron | 5,387 | ||
| Total Interest | 7,234 | ||
| Expenditure | Insurance | 327 | |
| Printing, postage, stationery | 2853 | ||
| Charity donations | 5400 | Various, mainly Israeli charities, and includes £350 for the pro bono Examination 23/24 |
|
| CUJS Annual Donation | 2500 | ||
| Other Events | 759 | ||
| Chevra Kadisha | 4767 | Includes one burial £4,250, a large part of this was refunded in Income above |
|
| Sundry | 47 | ||
| Total Expenditure | 16,653 | ||
| In addition, we will be making a charitable donation for | the pro bono Examination 24/25 | ||
| Total Funds | Cash at bank | 3,455 | |
| Natwest liquidity account | 54,979 | ||
| Natwest Reserve account | 4,466 | ||
| Saffron Building Society | 85,000 | ||
| Total reserves | 147,899 | ||
| Restricted (Ring fenced funds) contained within Total Funds | |||
| Chevra Kadisha | 93,565 | mainly Saffron plus percentage of Natwest. Adjusted by payments & receipts in the year |
|
| CJCS Welfare | 884 | No movement on this in the year |