Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date 03 06 2024 31 12 2024 From To
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name
Congregation of Jacob Synagogue
Other names charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any) 1208500
Charity's principal address 351-353 Commercial Road
London Postcode E1 2PS
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Brandes | Chair | |||
| Rev David Brandes | Treasurer | |||
| David Russell | Secretary | |||
| HarveyBehr | ||||
| Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) | ||||
| Name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |||
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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
CIO - FOUNDATION (REGISTERED 3 JUNE 2024) Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (‘FOUNDATION’) How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Nomination Committee Trustee selection methods
(eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
All new trustees will receive copies of the constitution as well as any relevant guidance from the Charity Commission. In addition, new trustees will receive copies of all Congregation of Jacob Synagogue policies and procedures for their perusal and are encouraged to review them at least annually in line with Congregation of Jacob Synagogue policy.
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ORTHODOX JEWISH FAITH FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT BY MAINTAINING AND MANAGING A SYNAGOGUE IN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS AS A PLACE OF WORSHIP, PUBLIC PRAYER AND RELIGIOUS STUDY, AND BY PROVIDING FOR THE RELIGIOUS NEEDS, SPIRITUAL EDUCATION, PASTORAL NEEDS AND WELFARE OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
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| Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) |
Trustees have had regard to the public benefit guides PB1, PB2 and PB3 when making decisions they are relevant to. New trustees must read these documents, which are must be taken into consideration when planning the charity’s activities for the ahead. The following statement summarises the way in which the Congregation of Jacob Synagogue has contributed to the public benefit: The synagogue provides a place of worship, which is particularly important for those that need a safe space to practice their Orthodox Jewish faith. It is also important for people that are saying kaddish (memorial prayers) to commemorate the death of family, as well as for those that are celebrating milestones such as Bar Mitzvah and Marriage. In addition to the benefit of providing a place of worship, the synagogue also plays a pastoral and supportive role to help members of the community at times of need, such as illness or death. The members make a concerted effort to care and provide for those in need, which is not only restricted to other members but with the wider community who have a connection to the synagogue. Attendance is open to everyone, even those not of the Orthodox Jewish faith. We have regular attendees who are not Jewish, but who enjoy the communal atmosphere of the services. We open every Saturday morning for Sabbath services, as well as for all the major festivals throughout the year (such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach etc.) |
|---|---|
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
-
policy on grantmaking;
-
policy programme related investment;
-
contribution made by volunteers.
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the In 2024, the Congregation of Jacob Synagogue in London achieved several significant main milestones, enhancing its community engagement and institutional development. achievements of the charity during 1. Registration as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) the year On June 3, 2024, the synagogue was officially registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under charity number 1208500. This formal recognition underscores our commitment to advancing the Orthodox Jewish faith and providing religious, educational, and welfare services to the community in Tower Hamlets. 2. Community Events Throughout 2024, the synagogue hosted regular Shabbat services on Saturday mornings, as well as all major festivals, fostering community engagement. 3. Recognition for Heritage and Inclusivity The synagogue's historical significance as the UK's first Mizrachi synagogue, established in 1903, continues to be acknowledged. Our ongoing restoration efforts aim to preserve its architectural heritage while maintaining its role as a vibrant place of worship. Additionally, the congregation has been regularly praised by attendees for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, which people describe as ensuring a delicate balance between being both inclusive and traditional, attracting visitors of all faiths. These achievements in 2024 reflect the Congregation of Jacob Synagogue's dedication to serving its community, preserving its rich heritage, and fostering an inclusive environment for worship.
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Section E Financial review
The Congregation of Jacob Synagogue maintains reserves equal to at Brief statement of the least 12 months of ordinary running costs. charity’s policy on reserves
Details of any funds materially None in deficit Further financial review details (Optional information)
Income this year was principally from member contributions. You may choose to include additional information, where Expenditure this year was principally for running costs of the synagogue relevant about: (such as utilities, insurance) as well as capital costs on an ongoing • the charity’s principal programme of restoration to preserve the synagogue for posterity. sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) David Brandes David Russell Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Secretary Chair, etc) Date 09/06/2025
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Congregation of Jacob Synagogue 1208500
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 03/06/2024 31/12/2024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Subscriptions 3,964 2,384 6,348
Donations 3,641 3,641
Refunds 781 781
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total (Gross income for
AR) [ 8,386 ] 2,384 10,770 -
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 8,386 2,384 - 10,770 -
A3 Payments
Burial Society Fees 2,384 2,384
Utilities 609 609
Restoration 55,395 55,395
Marketing 180 180
Equipment 1,353 1,353
Legal 1,350 1,350
Services 2,288 2,288
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total [ 61,174 ] 2,384 - 63,558 -
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 61,174 2,384 - 63,558 -
Net of receipts/(payments) - 52,788 0 - - 52,788 -
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 93,386 - 93,386
Cash funds this year end 40,598 0 - 40,598 -
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
08/06/2025
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Details Bank account Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 40,598 - - 40,598 OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - OK Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Amount due (optional) |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | ||||
| OK | ||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) |
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| - - - |
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| Signature | Print Name David Russell David Brandes |
Date of approval 09/06/2025 09/06/2025 |
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
08/06/2025
2