
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** 

Period start date Period end date **From 01 01 2020 To 31 12 2020** 

## Section A                        Reference and administration details 

**Charity name** Reading Hebrew Congregation **Other names charity is known by** Reading Synagogue **Registered charity number (if any)** 220098 **Charity's principal address** 7 Goldsmid Road Reading **Postcode RG1 7YB** 

## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 


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Dates acted if not for whole  Name of person (or body) entitled<br>Trustee name  Office (if any)<br>year to appoint trustee (if any)<br>1 Susan Clarke  Honorary Officer<br>2 Martin Myers  Board Member<br>3 Mark Drukker  Honorary Officer<br>4 Alan Benn  Honorary Officer<br>5 Michael Fuhr  Board Member<br>6 Sarah Firsht  Honorary Officer<br>7 Maurice Lawson  Board Member<br>8 Anthony Woolf  Honorary Officer<br>9 David Clarke  Board Member<br>10<br>11<br>12<br>13<br>14<br>15<br>16<br>17<br>18<br>Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)<br>Name Dates acted if not for whole year<br>Gerald Cowan<br>Jack Album<br>Richard Collings<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


**April 2009** 

**TAR** 

1 



## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** 

|**Type of adviser**|**Name**|**Address**|
|---|---|---|
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|**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**|||



## **Section B              Structure, governance and management** 

## **Description of the charity’s trusts** 

Type of governing document 

- (eg. trust deed, constitution) 

Trust Deed 

How the charity is constituted 

- (eg. trust, association, company) 

Trust 

Trustee selection methods Elected at AGM 

- (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; 

- the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; 

- relationship with any related parties; 

- 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** 

To conduct the affairs of the Society, to provide religious services conducted in the manner authorised by the Very Reverend the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. To maintain a Minister insofar as reasonably prudent financial management permits and to advance the interest of the Jewish community of Reading and the surrounding areas. 

**April 2009** 

**TAR** 

2 



The Trustees have given consideration to the matter of Public Benefit at meetings of the Board of Management. In order to fulfill these requirements, we continue our objectives of outreach into the wider community and we contribute to many local interfaith activities and have representation on many groups, as this assists in the advancement of the interests of the Jewish Community. 

**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)** 

Additionally, in order to advance the interest of the Jewish community in Reading we continue to offer open days for schools at the synagogue, which links with national curriculum requirements. Our members of the community also go out to schools to give talks on a variety of subjects. In order to provide a place for religious services we maintain a purpose-built Grade 2 listed building, which is mentioned in the Jewish Heritage document entitled “Synagogues at Risk”. These activities have only taken place when safe to do so under Covid guidance. 

## **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. 


**April 2009** 

**TAR** 

3 



## Section D                      Achievements and performance 

**Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year** 

We continued to provide religious services conducted in the manner authorised by the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. Following the successful roof repair project on the Synagogue completed in a previous year, we continue to monitor the condition of the roof, and we continue to monitor the building generally, so as to take care that its condition is maintained appropriately.  We ensure that the building continues to serve its purpose as a centre for the Jewish community of the area, and in connection with our charitable purposes. We continued to promote education for adults. 

We continued our programme of Welcome Days for schools in support of community cohesion. In addition, we have visits from schools, youth groups and other organisations. Members visit schools to speak about Judaism. 

These activities have only taken place when safe to do so under Covid guidance. We were unable to open to the public for the Heritage Open Day. 

**April 2009** 

**TAR** 

4 



## **Section E                    Financial review** 

**Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves** 

The charity has reduced its ongoing annual operating costs, and presently has adequate reserves to deal with short to medium term issues.  However, in the longer term the charity has concerns about the potentially substantial expenditure which may be required to maintain its central premises, which is a listed synagogue building.  For this reason the charity will continue to hold significant reserves so as to be able to deal with necessary maintenance expenditures.  The reserves will be held partly as cash deposits generating interest income, and partly invested in suitable funds generating investment income.  The relative mix of these reserves will be reviewed and adjusted by the Managing Trustees as they judge most suitable, but always subject to the need to maintain adequate cash resources to deal with unpredictable short term needs, as well as maintaining adequate total reserves to deal generally with longer term plans and requirements. 

**Details of any funds materially in deficit** 

## **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)** Anthony Larry Woolf 

**Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)**[Hon Treasurer ] 

**Date** 15th March 2021 

**April 2009** 

**TAR** 

5 



(HARITY COMMI5510N
FOR EWGLANO AND WALES
S¢¢tioft A
Independent Examinerfs Report
Report lo the tru5teesl
mèmbèrg of
READING HEBREW CONGREGATION
On 2ccountg for iho yo#r
ended
31 DECEMBER 2020
Set out on page$
2to4
I report to the trLlStees on my examination of the actounts of the above
eharily 1.the Trust") lor the year ended 31 December 2020.
ResponsibS1ilie$ and
basis ol report
As the charity's trtjstees. you are responsible for the preparatlon of the
accounts In accordanee th6 requirements of the Chanlies Act 2011
I the AGI,:).
I report in respect of my examinabon of the Trust s accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out rny examination, I
have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charrty Commisston
under se¢lion 1451Sllbl of the A¢1.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no maleTial matters have
examiner's ststement come to my attention in connection wtth the examination which gives me
Cause lo believe that in, any material respect..
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130
of the Charities Ael., or
the accounts did not aceoril with the accounting records," Of
th¢ a¢count$ did not comply with the applicable reqU1￿MentS
concerning the form and content ol accounts sel out in the Charities
IAccounts and Reports) Regulation$ 2008 other than 8ny rèquirement
that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view whieh is not a matter
consklered as part of an independent examination.
I have no Concerns and have come across no other matters in ¢onne¢lion
with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in thi8 report in
order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed=
Name:
Npi£
Relevant professional
oualificationl31 or body
lif any1=
Address:
Synagogue, Goldsmid Road, Reading RGI 7YB
Page 1

## **Reading Hebrew Congregation - Consolidated Income & Expenditure** 


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Income & Expenditure 2020 Comparison 2019<br>RHC RHC RHC RHC RHC RHC<br>Community Burial Consolidated Community Burial Consolidated<br>Income Funds Society Total Funds Society Total<br>Income from Membership & Assets<br>Membership Contributions 22,437  8,184  30,621  22,989  5,826  28,815<br>Gift Aid Membership and Donations 5,922  5,922  6,485  6,485<br>Donations Received 1,818  1,818  3,109  3,109<br>Kol Nidre Appeals 2,395  2,395  2,264  2,264<br>Investment Income 5,187  6,686  11,873  8,448  5,796  14,244<br>Interest Income 846  205  1,051  1,073  302  1,375<br>Total from Membership & Assets 38,605  15,075  53,680  44,368  11,924  56,292<br>Income from Activities  Gross  Costs<br>Food/Judaica Shop 2,784  (2,513) 271  271  279  279<br>Golden Mazel 2,400  (1,650) 750  750  865  865<br>Fund Raising & Events 17  17  17  45  45<br>Welcome Days  230  (8) 222  222  717  717<br>Luach Fax® 888  (248) 640  640  587  587<br>Gollancz Hall Receipts 544  544  544  1,246  1,246<br>Sabbath & Festivals 145  (870) (725) (725) 171  171<br>Miscellaneous Note 7 6,366  6,366  6,366  1,244  1,244<br>Total Income from Activities 13,374  (5,289) 8,085  8,085  5,154  5,154<br>Total Income 46,690  15,075  61,765  49,522  11,924  61,446<br>Expenditure<br>Judaica<br>Donations to Other Charities (50) (50)<br>Legal Fees<br>Cleaning (3,612) (3,612) (3,890) (3,890)<br>Maintenance - General (4,270) (4,270) (2,632) (2,632)<br>Light, Heat, Water (3,568) (3,568) (3,121) (3,121)<br>Buildings Insurance (5,194) (5,194) (5,157) (5,157)<br>Admin Expenses (474) (474) (572) (572)<br>Telephone (209) (209) (219) (219)<br>Newsletter (54) (54) (51) (51)<br>Publicity (111) (111) (130) (130)<br>Board of Deputies Affiliation (100) (100) (100) (100)<br>Security (6,266) (6,266) (1,508) (1,508)<br>Miscellaneous Expenses (619) (619) (990) (990)<br>Service Assistance & Expenses (3,000) (3,000) (3,998) (3,998)<br>Welfare (363) (363) (300) (300)<br>Burial Society Expenses<br>Funerals (9,090) (9,090) (11,490) (11,490)<br>US Affiliation Fees (1,083) (1,083) (1,168) (1,168)<br>Total Expenditure (27,840) (10,173) (38,013) (22,718) (12,658) (35,376)<br>Surplus/(deficit) 18,850  4,902  23,752  26,804  (734) 26,070<br>Gain or (Decline) on Investment Assets (27,550) (13,667) (41,217) 23,122  13,598  36,720<br>Net Surplus or (Deficit) for the Year (8,700) (8,765) (17,465) 49,926  12,864  62,790<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


**Page 2 of 4** 



**Reading Hebrew Congregation - Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2020** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Balance Sheet - 2020 Comparison - 2019<br>RHC Burial RHC Investment Asset RHC Burial RHC<br>ASSETS Community Society Total Movements 19-20 Community Society Total<br>Investments<br>HSBC Unit Trust Inv. - BS Asset 0  0  55,000  55,000<br>Unrealised Decline on Asset (1,843) (1,843)<br>HSBC Net Current Value 0  0  Note 8 53,157  53,157<br>Charibond  20,000  90,389  110,389  20,000  90,389  110,389<br>Unrealised Gain (Decline) on Asset (21) 2,992  2,971  1,291  (248) 1,928  1,680<br>Charibond Net Value 19,979  93,381  113,360  19,752  92,317  112,069<br>Charifund  Note 8 60,000  70,000  130,000  60,000  30,000  90,000<br>Unrealised Gain on Asset 72,332  2,770  75,102  (26,050) 100,110  1,042  101,152<br>Charifund Net Value 132,332  72,770  205,102  160,110  31,042  191,152<br>Total Investment Assets 152,311  166,151  318,462  (24,759) 179,862  176,516  356,378<br>Cash<br>HSBC Current account 34,266  34,266  24,233  24,233<br>HSBC Golden Mazel Club 1,176  1,176  1,575  1,575<br>HSBC Roof Project 339  339  339  339<br>Nationwide Building Society 61,297  61,297  51,079  51,079<br>Teachers  Building Society 81,913  81,913  81,439  81,439<br>Virgin Money  41,707  42,439  84,146  42,895  40,839  83,734<br>Total Cash 220,698  42,439  263,137  201,560  40,839  242,399<br>Debtors<br>Debtors 5,105  5,105  5,584  5,584<br>Total  Debtors 5,105  0  5,105  5,584  0  5,584<br>TOTAL ASSETS 378,114  208,590  586,704  387,006  217,355  604,361<br>Less: Current LIABILITIES (3,784) (3,784) (3,976) (3,976)<br>Provision for Extraordinary Cost (4,855) (4,855) (4,855) (4,855)<br>NET ASSETS 369,475  208,590  578,065  378,175  217,355  595,530<br>MEMBERS EQUITY<br>Accumulated Reserves b/f 378,175  217,355  595,530  328,249  204,491  532,740<br>Current Year Surplus 18,850  4,902  23,752  26,804  (734) 26,070<br>Gain or (Decline) on Inv Assets (27,550) (13,667) (41,217) 23,122  13,598  36,720<br>Accumulated Reserves c/f 369,475  208,590  578,065  378,175  217,355  595,530<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


**Page 3 of 4** 



**Reading Hebrew Congregation Notes to 2020 Accounts** 

## **NOTE 1 Accounts are prepared on a going concern basis** 

## **NOTE 2 Freehold land and buildings at 7 Goldsmid Road have not been valued** 

## **NOTE 3** 

**All investments, except property, are revalued as at 31st December each year** 

## **NOTE 4** 

**Kol Nidre Appeals** 2019 - RHC security - Save a Childs Heart 2020 - RHC security - MyIsrael 

## **NOTE 5** 

**Fund Raising and Events** Easy Fund Raising £17 

**NOTE 6 RHC Burial Society is a restricted fund** 

**NOTE 7 Includes sale proceeds of a Sefer - £6,000.00** 

## **NOTE 8** 

**The previous Burial Society investment in the HSBC Fund, has been replaced by a further investment in Charifund.** 

**Page 4 of 4** 

