Shul leaders quit over ‘deep divisions’

REDBRIDGE COMMUNITY leaders are “devastated” at the closure of the last remaining supervised bakery in the area.

Golan Bakery in Gants Hill shut last Friday, ending weeks of speculation over its future.

A London Beth Din spokesman said it was a “business decision”. Local sources suggested owner Michael Melamud — who declined to speak to the JC — had decided to retire.

The bakery had been a fixture in the area for some 30 years and its closure continues the decline of kosher food options in Redbridge.

In an effort to maintain supplies, Orthodox rabbis are co-ordinating efforts to deliver kosher milk and baked goods from Grodzinski’s in Stamford Hill to the local Chabad Lubavitch premises for weekly collection by shoppers who pre-order.

Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin, executive director of Chabad North-East London and Essex, told the JC: “We’re extremely upset — we’re devastated. Obviously this has been a hot topic over the past couple of months and it’s a big void for us.

“In the interim, there are numerous initiatives being taken to ensure there are provisions in the commu- nity for those who want them. A lot of people drive to North-West London or Stamford Hill almost on a daily basis.

“But some people here don’t have cars — there are a lot of elderly people who don’t drive.”

Longer term, the feasibility would be examined “of perhaps having someone else open a shop, or having collections out of an already-existing shop”.

Rabbi Sufrin added that without the alternative arrangements, Golan’s closure would have represented “another nail in the coffin of East London Jewry”.

Although the Redbridge community has shrunk over recent decades, the rabbi said it was an “unfortunate misconception” to attribute the reduction in numbers solely to migration to North-West London.

“Much of the community has moved more into rural Essex. But the community still has a lot of vibrancy and has a lot going on.

“Things like this are unfortunate. It just means we come up with some plan, rather than cry about it.”

Rabbi Jeremy Conway, director of the Beth Din’s kashrut division, commented only to thank Mr Melamud for “his hard work and dedicated service over so many years”.

NINE LAY leaders of the troubled South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue (Swesrs) have resigned en masse, citing “deep divisions” within the congregation.

The nine are president Paul Gersh; chairman Colin Joseph; vice-chair Judith Jacobs; secretary Jocelyn Laws; treasurer Jan Mortlock and council members Jerry Bernstein, Marion Joseph, Jack Matthews and Henry Smith.

They say they were “unable to carry out our roles on behalf of the community as effectively as we would wish, due to these divisions and constant friction”.

Steve Robbins, the new Swesrs chair, claimed to be “completely unaware” of any divisions.

In a letter to congregants, the resigning officers — who remain members of the shul — wrote that they had taken the “unprecedented step only after a considerable amount of soul searching and need to consider our wellbeing.

“Over the last six months, it has become apparent that there are deep divisions within our community and its elected trustees on the fundamental issues of religious ritual and doctrine, strategic direction and management/ governance.

“We have worked tirelessly to try to resolve these differences but have been unable to sustain a constructive, harmonious working relationship. We wish our community every success for the future.”

An emergency council meeting was held to elect replacement officers.

“Those of us who remained as officers and on the council, sent an email to assure members that it was business as usual at Swesrs and that steps were being taken to ensure the smooth running of the synagogue,” Mr Robbins said.

“The new council is delighted by the level of support it has received from members. We are now looking forward to our community meeting in January, where around 100 members have already signed up to discuss the way forward for Swesrs.”

In August, the JC reported that the Newbury Park-based synagogue had considered making the post of full-time rabbi redundant for financial reasons, before shelving plans at the last minute.

Rabbi Lisa Barrett had faced the prospect of either losing her job or switching to a part-time role. Membership has declined and the decision by Norwood to close its centre on the synagogue premises had cost the shul rent worth nearly nine per cent of its income.

Gilly Shulman, head of community partnerships at Reform Judaism, said: “We are alongside our community, helping them to navigate this situation.”

We’re very upset. It’s a big void for us ’