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Chairman's New Year Message 5786
My friends, for much of this year I feared this might be my final letter to you — announcing the end of our Community. Instead, thanks to many of you who have dug so deep, worked so hard, been so generous and made so many sacrifices, we can once again gather together to celebrate the High Holy Days as a Kehilla, stronger than ever.
As a Community, over the last year, we have prayed every Shabbos for the speedy release of all the hostages, and we will continue to do so. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones, all our brothers and sisters in Israel, and everyone affected by the ongoing situation. Over the last year, we have also witnessed the unfortunate rising tide of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. I am proud to say that our Community has not been cowed. We have redoubled our efforts to strengthen our connection with our culture, spirituality and each other, to find the extra energy to reach out further to all those who may feel isolated, lonely or scared, and to rededicate ourselves to growing our Community and communal activities.
Faced with severe financial constraints this year, we have been determined to do more for less. Our Chanukah celebrations faced many challenges. During the summer, the area where our Menorah is sited was upgraded to a biodiverse rain garden — unfortunately this included the removal of the Menorah concrete base and associated infrastructure. I would like to thank Waltham Forest Council and the Highways Agency for all their efforts to ensure our Menorah could be reinstated at its traditional location. A new plinth was constructed and power routed to a new underground compartment which houses the controls.
So once again, the Leytonstone Menorah shone brightly opposite the tube station throughout Chanukah. With very limited resources for publicity this year, we were stunned when, on the fifth night, more than 350 people from the local community gathered for the communal Menorah lighting. The crowd were treated to doughnuts, latkes, hot chocolate and live music from Duvid Fried, featuring Rev Menasche Scharf and Feivish Honig. Once again, it was a proud moment for our Kehilla, as Rev Menasche Scharf stepped up, gave a powerful rendition of the blessings and lit the Menorah. Beneath its bright lights, his voice resonated through the streets of Leytonstone — a message of hope in difficult times. This was followed by an inspiring address on unity and hope from Rabbi Yitzchok Austin. That same message of hope was carried to Orford Road, Walthamstow, where our Menorah lighting — now in its third year — has become a much-loved annual event among locals, with many doughnuts enjoyed!
Over the past year, communal life continues to thrive within Leytonstone. Our Saturday night Melaveh Malka continues to grow; Havdalah, hot potatoes, songs and stories to brighten up the winter evenings, led by the multi-talented Dovid Shaw. The Sunday morning Shiur led by Rabbi Austin, with its dedicated following, is now into its third year and Yakov Korer continues to prepare us for Shabbos morning thanks to his weekly online Parashat classes.
The year started on a high, with a rousing Selichot service. Pesach saw a spirited Communal Seder and unprecedented deliveries of Shemura Matzot to over 300 people in the local area (in an environmentally friendly way thanks to Levi, Mendy, Elchonon and their bikes!). Those who attended our Lag B’Omer celebrations enjoyed a barbecue in the Shul garden. Purim featured a raucous Megillah reading and plenty of Shalach Manot. Our annual Synagogue exhibition, part of The Leytonstone Arts Trail, showcasing local Jewish and wider community creativity, was our largest yet.
Our Community continues to rise to the challenge of helping those who are finding it hard to make ends meet, with our deliveries of Shabbos packs reaching those who are most in need; a big thank you to our two dedicated drivers, Howard Albert and Nigel Allsuch. Our Friday morning Leytonstone Ko-op continues to offer fresh Challahs, Chulent, Kiddush Wine and everything you may need for Shabbos. Please get in touch if you would like to volunteer at the Ko-op. We are looking for drivers, bag packers, meet and greeters, excel wizards, phone chatters and tea makers!
Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin, along with their family, continue to be a driving force for our Community. They have forged close and warm friendships with so many in the community and along with countless visits to those who may feel alone and isolated, their limitless enthusiasm and encouragement infuse all Shul services and events. The joint forces of the Austin Family and our growing group of volunteers form a dynamic team, giving much optimism for our future.
With an ever-strengthening Minyan, the energy and enthusiasm of our Shabbos prayers keeps the light of Jewish life burning brightly in Leytonstone and is the foundation for all our communal activities. I would like to thank all those who have supported us over the past year, come rain or shine. Many thanks also to those who have worked so hard to organise services and to those who, led by Hannah Erez, prepare the splendid kiddushim and lunches each week.
Many of you have asked about the difficulties we are facing with the Federation of Synagogues; for others, this may be the first time you are hearing about it. Below, I set out briefly what has happened, why it matters, and where we now stand.
The Challenge We Face
Yet alongside these successes, we face an existential challenge that threatens our future. Since 2021, it has become apparent that the Federation of Synagogues has been imposing fees on our Community that are eight times higher than those charged to all other similar Affiliate synagogues. We believe these charges are unfair and disproportionate, and they place the very future of our Community at risk. With ever increasing costs, we simply cannot sustain these excessive charges.
For two years we have sought dialogue and tried to resolve this issue amicably, but the Federation has refused to meet with us to discuss this issue and has twice threatened disaffiliation if we do not pay; even going as far as to table a motion for our disaffiliation at the Federation Council. Disaffiliation would mean losing our building — and with it, the heart of Jewish life in Leytonstone, inevitably leading to the end of our Community.
Earlier this year, the Board of Management and our Rabbi made the difficult but necessary decision to bring this matter before the London Beth Din (Jewish Court). This decision came at a time when antisemitism — Jew-hatred — is rising locally, nationally, and globally. At such a time, our community yearns for unity, not division, which is why we tried so hard to resolve this issue through mutually respectful dialogue, requesting meetings on four separate occasions, only to be told that the matter is “not up for discussion”.
Our claim was submitted to the London Beth Din, not a claim for special treatment, not a request for a free ride, but simply asking to be treated fairly, to be treated like all other similar Affiliates and to be given a fair hearing. The Federation agreed to attend, and the hearing date was set for 30th July 2025.
The Lease and the Federation’s Contradiction
However, the Federation withdrew from the scheduled Din Torah hearing — just one day before it was due to take place. For the past two years, the Federation refused to recognise the existence of the lease on our building, using that position to justify charging us eight times the published rate for other comparable Affiliate synagogues. More recently, they went further and denied that the lease existed at all. Yet on the eve of the Beth Din hearing, they cited a clause from that very lease as their reason to withdraw. This contradiction speaks for itself.
A Question of Fairness
The Federation seek to justify charging us eight times the published rate of other comparable Affiliate synagogues by asserting that they are the Freeholder of our building and by labelling Leytonstone an “anomaly”. Let us bring some moral clarity by examining the facts. In 1958, our Community voluntarily transferred the freehold of our building to the Federation to safeguard its continued use within our Orthodox tradition and to ensure that the property would always remain in communal hands. It is this very act of generosity that has led the Federation to label us an “anomaly”. We believe it is deeply unjust that the Federation should now use that act of generosity to treat us more harshly than other Affiliates — who made no such sacrifice and pay only a fraction of the fees.
The Beth Din Deadlock
After refusing to attend the hearing at the London Beth Din, the Federation doubled down on their position. Their current view is that the only Beth Din they will attend is the Beth Din of the Federation of Synagogues. Their own Beth Din. The Beth Din for which the Dayanim are employed by the Federation. We believe that our concern — that this Beth Din may struggle to provide us with an independent and impartial hearing — is justified.
We have asked the London Beth Din to issue a Heter Arka’ot, which would give us permission to go to the Civil Courts. We believe the halachic position is clear: the Federation agreed to attend the London Beth Din, then withdrew the day before the hearing, and has not suggested a mutually acceptable alternative. Therefore, a Heter Arka’ot should be issued. The London Beth Din has so far refused, effectively trapping us in a procedural deadlock — to us this feels like institutional dynamics at play — and we are concerned that institutional relationships are being given more weight than fairness to one of the country’s least wealthy and most vulnerable communities.
The Future of Our Community Hangs in the Balance
This has left our small but thriving Kehilla — the last traditional Orthodox synagogue serving the historic East London Jewish community — trapped in a procedural deadlock between two powerful institutions — the London Beth Din and the Federation of Synagogues — both acting in ways that place our future at risk.
To them, we say this clearly — we remain steadfast, united, and undeterred.
We stand together as a Kehilla with unshakable resolve. We believe in the strength of our community. We believe that HaShem wants there to be a Synagogue in Leytonstone. And we believe that history will look kindly on those who fought to protect it.
The future of our Community hangs in the balance, but with HaShem’s help, the scales will tip our way. So now is the time to stand together, be counted, and to ensure Jewish life in Leytonstone continues for generations to come. Please come along to Hollow Pond to hear the Shofar and for Tashlich this Rosh Hashanah. Get your year off to a great start in a beautiful setting, just a short walk from the Synagogue. This year, let the sound of the Shofar, as it projects across the lake and reaches the woods and far beyond, be a rallying call to our Community and a source of strength, propelling us into the year ahead, whatever challenges it may hold.
How You Can Help
Many have asked how they can help. The most powerful way is simple: be here. Join us in Shul on Shabbos mornings and join us this coming month as we celebrate the High Holy Days. Let your voice be heard in tefillah, let your presence send a message, and let the sound of our Minyan be the heartbeat of a community that refuses to be silenced.
So please, if you have not yet had the chance, come and daven with us at a Shabbos service followed by a Kiddush or why not come along to one of our online Shiurim or pop along to the Ko-op on Friday morning for a tea and a chat.
We would like to keep on doing what we do and to start doing much more, but now we need your help more than ever. For this year’s Kol Nidre Appeal we would appreciate any financial contributions that you feel able to make, which will be devoted to the running of our Shul for the year ahead and to help us keep our community growing. Please send your cheque or make an online payment using the details at the end of this letter.
Finally, I would like to wish all our members and supporters a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Am Yisrael Chai — Kehillat Leytonstone Chai
As a Community, over the last year, we have prayed every Shabbos for the speedy release of all the hostages, and we will continue to do so. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones, all our brothers and sisters in Israel, and everyone affected by the ongoing situation. Over the last year, we have also witnessed the unfortunate rising tide of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. I am proud to say that our Community has not been cowed. We have redoubled our efforts to strengthen our connection with our culture, spirituality and each other, to find the extra energy to reach out further to all those who may feel isolated, lonely or scared, and to rededicate ourselves to growing our Community and communal activities.
Faced with severe financial constraints this year, we have been determined to do more for less. Our Chanukah celebrations faced many challenges. During the summer, the area where our Menorah is sited was upgraded to a biodiverse rain garden — unfortunately this included the removal of the Menorah concrete base and associated infrastructure. I would like to thank Waltham Forest Council and the Highways Agency for all their efforts to ensure our Menorah could be reinstated at its traditional location. A new plinth was constructed and power routed to a new underground compartment which houses the controls.
So once again, the Leytonstone Menorah shone brightly opposite the tube station throughout Chanukah. With very limited resources for publicity this year, we were stunned when, on the fifth night, more than 350 people from the local community gathered for the communal Menorah lighting. The crowd were treated to doughnuts, latkes, hot chocolate and live music from Duvid Fried, featuring Rev Menasche Scharf and Feivish Honig. Once again, it was a proud moment for our Kehilla, as Rev Menasche Scharf stepped up, gave a powerful rendition of the blessings and lit the Menorah. Beneath its bright lights, his voice resonated through the streets of Leytonstone — a message of hope in difficult times. This was followed by an inspiring address on unity and hope from Rabbi Yitzchok Austin. That same message of hope was carried to Orford Road, Walthamstow, where our Menorah lighting — now in its third year — has become a much-loved annual event among locals, with many doughnuts enjoyed!
Over the past year, communal life continues to thrive within Leytonstone. Our Saturday night Melaveh Malka continues to grow; Havdalah, hot potatoes, songs and stories to brighten up the winter evenings, led by the multi-talented Dovid Shaw. The Sunday morning Shiur led by Rabbi Austin, with its dedicated following, is now into its third year and Yakov Korer continues to prepare us for Shabbos morning thanks to his weekly online Parashat classes.
The year started on a high, with a rousing Selichot service. Pesach saw a spirited Communal Seder and unprecedented deliveries of Shemura Matzot to over 300 people in the local area (in an environmentally friendly way thanks to Levi, Mendy, Elchonon and their bikes!). Those who attended our Lag B’Omer celebrations enjoyed a barbecue in the Shul garden. Purim featured a raucous Megillah reading and plenty of Shalach Manot. Our annual Synagogue exhibition, part of The Leytonstone Arts Trail, showcasing local Jewish and wider community creativity, was our largest yet.
Our Community continues to rise to the challenge of helping those who are finding it hard to make ends meet, with our deliveries of Shabbos packs reaching those who are most in need; a big thank you to our two dedicated drivers, Howard Albert and Nigel Allsuch. Our Friday morning Leytonstone Ko-op continues to offer fresh Challahs, Chulent, Kiddush Wine and everything you may need for Shabbos. Please get in touch if you would like to volunteer at the Ko-op. We are looking for drivers, bag packers, meet and greeters, excel wizards, phone chatters and tea makers!
Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin, along with their family, continue to be a driving force for our Community. They have forged close and warm friendships with so many in the community and along with countless visits to those who may feel alone and isolated, their limitless enthusiasm and encouragement infuse all Shul services and events. The joint forces of the Austin Family and our growing group of volunteers form a dynamic team, giving much optimism for our future.
With an ever-strengthening Minyan, the energy and enthusiasm of our Shabbos prayers keeps the light of Jewish life burning brightly in Leytonstone and is the foundation for all our communal activities. I would like to thank all those who have supported us over the past year, come rain or shine. Many thanks also to those who have worked so hard to organise services and to those who, led by Hannah Erez, prepare the splendid kiddushim and lunches each week.
Many of you have asked about the difficulties we are facing with the Federation of Synagogues; for others, this may be the first time you are hearing about it. Below, I set out briefly what has happened, why it matters, and where we now stand.
The Challenge We Face
Yet alongside these successes, we face an existential challenge that threatens our future. Since 2021, it has become apparent that the Federation of Synagogues has been imposing fees on our Community that are eight times higher than those charged to all other similar Affiliate synagogues. We believe these charges are unfair and disproportionate, and they place the very future of our Community at risk. With ever increasing costs, we simply cannot sustain these excessive charges.
For two years we have sought dialogue and tried to resolve this issue amicably, but the Federation has refused to meet with us to discuss this issue and has twice threatened disaffiliation if we do not pay; even going as far as to table a motion for our disaffiliation at the Federation Council. Disaffiliation would mean losing our building — and with it, the heart of Jewish life in Leytonstone, inevitably leading to the end of our Community.
Earlier this year, the Board of Management and our Rabbi made the difficult but necessary decision to bring this matter before the London Beth Din (Jewish Court). This decision came at a time when antisemitism — Jew-hatred — is rising locally, nationally, and globally. At such a time, our community yearns for unity, not division, which is why we tried so hard to resolve this issue through mutually respectful dialogue, requesting meetings on four separate occasions, only to be told that the matter is “not up for discussion”.
Our claim was submitted to the London Beth Din, not a claim for special treatment, not a request for a free ride, but simply asking to be treated fairly, to be treated like all other similar Affiliates and to be given a fair hearing. The Federation agreed to attend, and the hearing date was set for 30th July 2025.
The Lease and the Federation’s Contradiction
However, the Federation withdrew from the scheduled Din Torah hearing — just one day before it was due to take place. For the past two years, the Federation refused to recognise the existence of the lease on our building, using that position to justify charging us eight times the published rate for other comparable Affiliate synagogues. More recently, they went further and denied that the lease existed at all. Yet on the eve of the Beth Din hearing, they cited a clause from that very lease as their reason to withdraw. This contradiction speaks for itself.
A Question of Fairness
The Federation seek to justify charging us eight times the published rate of other comparable Affiliate synagogues by asserting that they are the Freeholder of our building and by labelling Leytonstone an “anomaly”. Let us bring some moral clarity by examining the facts. In 1958, our Community voluntarily transferred the freehold of our building to the Federation to safeguard its continued use within our Orthodox tradition and to ensure that the property would always remain in communal hands. It is this very act of generosity that has led the Federation to label us an “anomaly”. We believe it is deeply unjust that the Federation should now use that act of generosity to treat us more harshly than other Affiliates — who made no such sacrifice and pay only a fraction of the fees.
The Beth Din Deadlock
After refusing to attend the hearing at the London Beth Din, the Federation doubled down on their position. Their current view is that the only Beth Din they will attend is the Beth Din of the Federation of Synagogues. Their own Beth Din. The Beth Din for which the Dayanim are employed by the Federation. We believe that our concern — that this Beth Din may struggle to provide us with an independent and impartial hearing — is justified.
We have asked the London Beth Din to issue a Heter Arka’ot, which would give us permission to go to the Civil Courts. We believe the halachic position is clear: the Federation agreed to attend the London Beth Din, then withdrew the day before the hearing, and has not suggested a mutually acceptable alternative. Therefore, a Heter Arka’ot should be issued. The London Beth Din has so far refused, effectively trapping us in a procedural deadlock — to us this feels like institutional dynamics at play — and we are concerned that institutional relationships are being given more weight than fairness to one of the country’s least wealthy and most vulnerable communities.
The Future of Our Community Hangs in the Balance
This has left our small but thriving Kehilla — the last traditional Orthodox synagogue serving the historic East London Jewish community — trapped in a procedural deadlock between two powerful institutions — the London Beth Din and the Federation of Synagogues — both acting in ways that place our future at risk.
To them, we say this clearly — we remain steadfast, united, and undeterred.
We stand together as a Kehilla with unshakable resolve. We believe in the strength of our community. We believe that HaShem wants there to be a Synagogue in Leytonstone. And we believe that history will look kindly on those who fought to protect it.
The future of our Community hangs in the balance, but with HaShem’s help, the scales will tip our way. So now is the time to stand together, be counted, and to ensure Jewish life in Leytonstone continues for generations to come. Please come along to Hollow Pond to hear the Shofar and for Tashlich this Rosh Hashanah. Get your year off to a great start in a beautiful setting, just a short walk from the Synagogue. This year, let the sound of the Shofar, as it projects across the lake and reaches the woods and far beyond, be a rallying call to our Community and a source of strength, propelling us into the year ahead, whatever challenges it may hold.
How You Can Help
Many have asked how they can help. The most powerful way is simple: be here. Join us in Shul on Shabbos mornings and join us this coming month as we celebrate the High Holy Days. Let your voice be heard in tefillah, let your presence send a message, and let the sound of our Minyan be the heartbeat of a community that refuses to be silenced.
So please, if you have not yet had the chance, come and daven with us at a Shabbos service followed by a Kiddush or why not come along to one of our online Shiurim or pop along to the Ko-op on Friday morning for a tea and a chat.
We would like to keep on doing what we do and to start doing much more, but now we need your help more than ever. For this year’s Kol Nidre Appeal we would appreciate any financial contributions that you feel able to make, which will be devoted to the running of our Shul for the year ahead and to help us keep our community growing. Please send your cheque or make an online payment using the details at the end of this letter.
Finally, I would like to wish all our members and supporters a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Am Yisrael Chai — Kehillat Leytonstone Chai
Account name: Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue
Account Number: 10531936
Sort Code: 40 04 17
Registered Charity Number 1185624
Account Number: 10531936
Sort Code: 40 04 17
Registered Charity Number 1185624