Trustees of Britsh Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights (A charitable Incorporated Organisaton ) Report for Calendar and Financial Year ending 31 December 2023
Our objects are: “ To advance for the public beneft in the State of Israel and in those territories which are geographically close to the State of Israel, such charitable purposes according to the laws of England and Wales as the Trustees shall think ft, in partcular but not limited to the promoton of human dignity, civil and human rights, social and economic justce, religious freedom and equality for all the citzens of Israel and to educate in such charitable purposes either in the United Kingdom or the State of Israel or those territories which are geographically close to the State of Israel.”
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Natwest Bank is our bank. It informed us during this past year that we must open a “business account” because we had become a CIO. The Trustees had informed the bank at time of creating our new Constitution (late 2021/early 2022)that we were now a CIO and sent a copy to the Bank, of which they were seemingly unaware. Accordingly we have opened a new business account and are continuing to run it alongside our old account. The old account will be closed when we can alter our website and our Just Giving details to divert all donations to the new account.
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Sources of Funds. These are annual donations from members , donations from Just Giving appeals and many one off donations , particularly from Synagogues , Jewish and non Jewish Congregations, grants from other charities and recovery of Gift Aid. The trustees take into account the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance in making donations to Rabbis for Human Rights , “RHR”, an Israeli NGO. Other funds will be spent on organising talks /speakers in the United Kingdom about RHR’s work and objectives in Israel and the occupied territories .
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Reserves and donatons policy
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The policy of the Trustees is to retain a total credit balance of c. £2,500 at least and ensure excessive funds are not accumulated. Inevitably as a consequence of the effects of the War in Gaza (where RHR does not operate) there has been an increase in basic humanitarian needs to be met for Israelis (both Jews and Arabs) and Arabs in the occupied territories. a.A very successful Just Giving appeal was set up on our website to enable distribution of Food Boxes and also medical supplies to survivors of October 7[th] , families in Southern Israel, Bedouin communities in unrecognised villages in the Negev, Palestinian communities in the West Bank facing settler violence, asylum seekers and migrant workers.
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b. Furthermore separately assistance has continued and is continuing throughout the agricultural year in assisting with the olive harvest and planting of olive trees , both new ones and replacing those destroyed by settlers (over 1,000 planted ). Visits have been and are being made by groups of Rabbis to villages in the Nablus area to show support to their occupants and effectively deter violent illegal settlers.
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c.RHR representatives have hosted several prayer and interfaith conferences in Arab and Jewish cities.
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d.Work continues at the Rights Centre in Hadera advising and assisting Israeli residents suffering power cuts due to debt, giving voluntary legal advice, assisting families, particularly large ones, in obtaining public housing and the maintenance of such housing. The Centre publicises the availability of its services.
e. RHR still works with close to 1,000 Israeli Gap Year students teaching about Judaism and Human Rights with field learning in various places including Jerusalem, Hebron and the Negev.
- Risk Assessment/management
The Trustees have a risk management strategy comprising the establishment of policies and procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
Receipts and Payments Accounts of British Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights a CIO registered with the Charity Commission number 1197223 for calendar year January 1 to December 31 2023
| Receipts Donatons excluding Just Giving Just Giving donatons HMRC gif aid Reclaim Total Receipts Expenses Bank charges for transfers to RHR Israel Total monthly bank charges Just Giving membership fees Domain registraton/web hostng Total expenses Excess of receipts over expenses |
£8,895.00 £2,713.51 £202.32 £11,810.83 £60.00 £25.90 £162.00 £137.24 £385.14 £11,425.69 |
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Opening bank balance with Natwest at 01/01/2023 £2,959.95 Add excess of receipts over expenses £11,425.69 £14,385.64 Deduct donations to Rabbis for Human Rights £6,000.00 Closing Bank balance with Natwest as at 31/12/2023 £8,385.64
Note:-BFRHR will pay £175.20 for printng done by FB Printers for Rabbis for Human Rights in March 2023