The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
Liberal synagogue in London affiliated with Liberal Judaism and the Board of Deputies
| The Liberal Jewish Synagogue | |
|---|---|
| Type | Registered charity and company limited by guarantee |
| Logo | |
| Founded | |
| Founder(s) | |
| Dissolved | |
| Registration ID | |
| Status | |
| Headquarters | 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA |
| Location | |
| Area served | |
| Services | |
| Registration | Charity number 1159292; Company number 09113305 |
| Key people | |
| Website | |
| Remarks | |
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) is a Liberal/Reform synagogue in St John’s Wood, London. It is affiliated to Liberal Judaism (the umbrella body for Liberal synagogues in the UK, which is formally part of the Zionist movement UK) and is a member of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The synagogue maintains a pro-Zionist orientation while supporting progressive causes, including interfaith dialogue and social justice.[1]
It is actively involved in the government-funded The Interfaith Network of the United Kingdom based at Collaboration House, which receives support from the Fayre Share Foundation (Maurice Ostro).[1]
People
Trustees
Current and recent trustees (compiled from Charity Commission annual returns 2020–2024):
| Name | Role | Term notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gaby Lazarus | Chair | Term as Chair began 20 June 2024 |
| Benita Hart | Chair | Term ended 20 June 2024 |
| Scott Dinwiddie | Vice Chair | Appointed 22 June 2023 |
| David Adams | Honorary Treasurer | Resigned 12 December 2024 |
| Sue Bolsom | Trustee | Term ended 20 June 2024 |
| Peter Crouch | Co-Opted Treasurer | Co-opted 14 November 2024 |
| Rafaele Gelein | Trustee | Appointed 20 June 2024 |
| Harriett Goldenberg | Trustee | |
| James Johnson | Trustee | Appointed 20 June 2024 |
| Jenny Nathan MBE | Trustee | Died 12 August 2024 |
| David Rigal | Trustee | Term ended 20 June 2024 |
| Tsvetyana Petrova | Trustee | Appointed 22 June 2023 |
| Michael Romain | Trustee | Term ended 22 June 2023 |
| Anthony Sefton | Trustee | Term ended 20 June 2024 |
| Simon van Someren | Trustee | Term ended 20 June 2024 |
| Lodewijk Zweers | Trustee | Appointed 20 June 2024, resigned 14 November 2024 |
| Alexandra Weiss | Trustee | Term ended 22 June 2023 |
Directors (Company Officers)
Current and former directors (from Companies House records):
| Name | Date of birth | Nationality | Country of residence | Correspondence address | Appointed | Resigned | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Crouch | December 1952 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 14 November 2024 | Active | Director |
| Noemi Anna Csőgör | May 1996 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 19 June 2025 | Active | Director |
| Scott Dinwiddie | March 1965 | American | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 22 June 2023 | Active | Director |
| Barbara Julia Fidler | February 1949 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 13 February 2025 | Active | Director |
| Rafaelle Gelein | March 1983 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 20 June 2024 | Active | Director |
| Susan Patricia Head | January 1951 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 19 June 2025 | Active | Director |
| James Lee Johnson | March 1970 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 20 June 2024 | Active | Director |
| Chloe Lasher | September 1995 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 19 June 2025 | Active | Director |
| Karen Melanie Newman | May 1958 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 19 June 2025 | Active | Director |
| Ellen Margaret Schmidt | February 1956 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 19 June 2025 | Active | Director |
| Joel Wolchover | June 1972 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 19 June 2025 | Active | Director |
| David Howard Adams | November 1943 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 11 July 2019 | 12 December 2024 | Resigned Director |
| Steven Laurence Behr | February 1973 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 15 June 2016 | 14 October 2021 | Resigned Director |
| Eric Blaire | August 1946 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 8 January 2015 | 18 June 2015 | Resigned Director |
| Sue Bolsom | February 1949 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 20 June 2018 | 20 June 2024 | Resigned Director |
| Sue Bolsom | February 1949 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 8 January 2015 | 15 June 2016 | Resigned Director |
| Raquel Silvia Churba (Sylvia Churba) | November 1953 | British | United Kingdom | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | 14 June 2017 | 22 June 2023 | Resigned Director |
| David Murray Davidson | January 1947 | British | England | The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, 28 St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 7HA | (various) | (various) | Resigned Director |
Other office bearers and staff
- President: Rita Adler (appointed 22 June 2023)
- Honorary Lawyer:
- Daniel Sternberg (until 10 January 2022)
- Jacob Gifford Head (appointed 10 January 2022 – current)
- Executive Director:
- Lysa Schwartz (until September 2021)
- Jonathan Bruck (from September 2021 – current)
- Independent Auditor: Buzzacott LLP / Buzzacott Audit LLP
- Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd
- Investment Managers: Redmayne Bentley LLP
Finances
Financial information is published annually on the Charity Commission website. The synagogue’s main income sources are membership fees, donations, and investment income. Expenditure covers worship, education, community programmes and premises maintenance. Detailed accounts are available via charity number 1159292.
| Year ended 31 December | Total Income | Total Expenditure | Net Movement | Total Funds at 31 Dec | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | £2,364,853 | £2,378,007 | +£41,045 | £8,544,596 | Unrestricted £7,847,467 / Restricted £373,146 / Endowment £323,983 |
| 2023 | £2,042,883 | £2,093,472 | –£18,827 | £8,516,705 | Unrestricted £7,759,164 / Restricted £437,314 / Endowment £320,227 |
Key fund movements (2024)
- **Unrestricted Funds**: Opening £7,759,164 → Closing £7,847,467
- **Restricted Funds**: Opening £437,314 → Closing £373,146
- **Endowment Funds** (Angela Ferst Cemetery Fund): Opening £320,227 → Closing £323,983 (restricted to cemetery maintenance only)
Data extracted from the charity’s published financial statements and notes for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2024.
Controversies and views of members
The Liberal Jewish Synagogue is part of the progressive wing of British Judaism. While formally Zionist through its membership of Liberal Judaism and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, many members hold critical views of Israeli government policies, particularly on settlements and the occupation. The synagogue has been active in interfaith dialogue and social justice campaigns.
Contact details
Website: www.ljs.org Address: 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA Registered office: 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA Social media:
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Liberal Jewish Synagogue, Connections LJS website, accessed 5 April 2026.