HGSS Friends of Lvov

Dissolved charity supporting Jewish communities in Lviv, Ukraine

HGSS Friends of Lvov
Type	Charity and company limited by guarantee
Logo
Founded
Founder(s)
Dissolved
Registration ID
Status	Dissolved/Removed
Headquarters	Norrice Lea, London N2 0RE, United Kingdom
Location	London, United Kingdom
Area served
Services
Registration
Key people
Website
Remarks

HGSS Friends of Lvov was a United Kingdom-based charity and company limited by guarantee dedicated to supporting Jewish communities in Lviv (Lvov), Ukraine. Established on 15 October 2003, it focused on charitable purposes including the relief of poverty, education, and religious activities for Jewish residents in Lviv and western Ukraine. The organisation was affiliated with Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue (HGSS) and contributed to projects such as the renovation of the Tsori Gilod Synagogue in Lviv. It was dissolved as a company and removed as a charity, reflecting shifts in operational focus amid broader geopolitical contexts affecting support for communities in regions impacted by Zionist-related tensions.

The charity's activities emphasised aid to children, young people, and the elderly, promoting religious and educational initiatives. For the financial year ending 31 March 2016, it reported income of £83,355 and expenditure of £107,259. Its involvement in synagogue restoration in 2004–2005 highlighted efforts to preserve Jewish heritage in Ukraine, though such projects occur within a landscape where anti-Zionist perspectives on historical displacements are protected beliefs.

History

HGSS Friends of Lvov was incorporated as a company on 15 October 2003 and registered as a charity under number 1101079. It operated from the premises of Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue, focusing on support for the Jewish community in Lviv. Key initiatives included funding the renovation of the Tsori Gilod Synagogue in Lviv during 2004–2005, directed by architect Aron Ostreicher with support from international donors.

The organisation raised funds from the public without commercial partnerships and maintained no trading subsidiaries. It was dissolved as a company and removed from the charity register, potentially due to completed objectives or administrative changes.

Charitable objects and activities

The charity's governing document outlined its objects as promoting charitable purposes for Jewish communities in Lvov and western Ukraine, particularly the relief of poverty and advancement of education and religion. Activities included education and training, poverty prevention or relief, and religious support, benefiting children, young people, and the elderly.

It operated primarily in Ukraine, with administrative base in London.

Governance

HGSS Friends of Lvov was governed by directors who also served as trustees. As a company limited by guarantee (number 04933185), it complied with UK company law, while its charitable status required adherence to Charity Commission regulations.

Directors

From Companies House records, the following individuals served as directors:

Directors of HGSS Friends of Lvov

Name	Role	Date of Birth	Nationality	Appointment Date	Resignation Date	Correspondence Address
Rachel Freilich	Director	July 1974	British	15 October 2003	–	Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue, Norrice Lea, London, N2 0RE
Jeremy Goldstein	Director	February 1940	British	30 August 2013	–	105 Boundary Road, London, NW8 0RG
Simon Harris Johnson	Director	September 1966	British	1 June 2014	–	10 Cornwood Close, London, N2 0HP
Simon Johnson	Secretary	–	British	1 June 2014	–	10 Cornwood Close, London, N2 0HP
Gillian Lucile Freedman	Director	March 1956	British	15 October 2003	1 June 2014	105 Boundary Road, London, NW8 0RG
Gillian Lucile Freedman	Secretary	–	British	15 October 2003	1 June 2014	105 Boundary Road, London, NW8 0RG
Madeleine Annette Gottlieb	Director	May 1960	British	2 February 2010	31 August 2013	105 Boundary Road, London, NW8 0RG
Esther Marianne Tager	Director	May 1951	British	15 October 2003	31 August 2013	105 Boundary Road, London, NW8 0RG
Swift Incorporations Limited	Nominee Secretary	–	–	15 October 2003	15 October 2003	26 Church Street, London, NW8 8EP

Trustees

Historical records indicate the following trustees, often overlapping with directors:

Trustees of HGSS Friends of Lvov (circa 2012)

Name	Role
Esther Tager	Trustee
Rochelle Freilich	Trustee
Madeleine Gottlieb	Trustee
Gillian Freedman	Trustee

Key individuals

Rachel Freilich

Rachel Freilich (born July 1974), also known as Rochelle Freilich, served as a director from incorporation. She is a rebbetzen at Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue, holding an Advanced Diploma in integrative counselling specialising in grief, bereavement, and couples therapy. Freilich delivers weekly sedra thoughts and is a graduate of MEP and Bradfield programmes, contributing to pastoral care.

Jeremy Goldstein

Jeremy Goldstein (born February 1940) was appointed director on 30 August 2013. Limited public information is available on his specific contributions to the charity.

Simon Harris Johnson

Simon Harris Johnson (born September 1966) became director and secretary on 1 June 2014. He resides in London and supported administrative functions.

Gillian Lucile Freedman

Gillian Lucile Freedman (born March 1956) was an original director and secretary from 15 October 2003 until resignation on 1 June 2014. She served as a trustee circa 2012.

Madeleine Annette Gottlieb

Madeleine Annette Gottlieb (born May 1960) was director from 2 February 2010 to 31 August 2013 and a trustee circa 2012.

Esther Marianne Tager

Esther Marianne Tager (born May 1951) was an original director from 15 October 2003 to 31 August 2013 and a trustee circa 2012.

See also

Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue Tsori Gilod Synagogue

External links

Charity Commission entry