Financial Report 2014

As we enter 2014 and the beginning of a new financial year, we are writing to the community with an interim financial report and tying this in with a request for additional funds.

Over the past two years we have further developed a healthy programme of activities in the shul, focusing on the Youth Director scheme and including maintaining a substantial cheder, supporting the Shabbat on the Hill programme and developing a new website and communication structure. We have also begun the very necessary process of upgrading the building so that it continues to be fit for the needs of the community, with our first significant items being refurbishment to the offices of the Rabbi and the Administrator, to storage facilities and to the area behind the shul ark.

In 2014 we have a programme of repairs that are needed immediately to the shul building. This includes dealing with the broken awning at the front of the shul, replacing leaking and cracked windows, renewing the lighting, and other more minor but essential repairs. This work will cost us at least £25,000.

The Youth Director scheme, which has been very strongly praised by the community, is an expensive investment. We allocated funds from the Kol Nidre appeal to this but a previously received grant of £7,500 was not renewed this year, creating a significant shortfall that we need to fill.

Shabbat on the Hill is a very successful event when measured by the quality of the guest presenters and the number of attendees. We do not pay speakers, but the cost of the cholent Kiddush that we provide is around £400 each time. Whilst a couple of these have been part-sponsored through the generosity of individual shul members, most of the cost is met directly by the shul.

Our income is almost entirely dependent on membership fees. We plan carefully for these to cover running costs, but the need to take action on the shul building whilst sustaining the activities we have mentioned means that we are drawing on the reserves that have been accumulated over many years. We believe that it would be imprudent to erode those reserves too far.

We have looked carefully at the level of membership fees, which are currently less expensive than other local synagogues. We are committed to keeping fees at a reasonable level and would be very uncomfortable about introducing any major increase. Nevertheless, simply meeting our basic operating costs requires an increase, so for 2014 the full fee will move from £660 to £690.

Even at this new rate, we are seeking donations small and large to help with our costs, which we believe really are for activities and building repairs essential for the continued well-being of the community.

There is a full menu of options for giving and all donations will be gratefully and respectfully received.

If you are able to help then please contact Sam Clarke through the shul office.

With best wishes for 2014,

Stephen Frosh, Helen Style, Sam Clarke