Charles Oster

“Chevra Man” who battled to preserve shechita and Jewish religious rights

HA COMMUNAL figure par excellence, Charles Oster who has died aged 87, held demanding, often unsung roles in Britain’s Jewish community. From an early age Charles seemed destined for active roles in every synagogue he joined, upholding the community’s religious rights and values. Born in London, the son of Woolf and Rosa Oster, he attended Grocers Grammar School at Hackney Downs. His hard work and aptitude for studying helped him qualify as a chartered surveyor. He joined the London practice of De Groot Collis, rising to become senior partner, and was popular and admired in the profession.

Charles always put his professionalism at the service of the community.

He became an expert in the legal and regulatory minefield concerning the establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, and became chief adviser to several shuls, including the United Synagogue, for which he oversaw the development of the community’s largest burial ground at Bushey.

He advised communal organisations on complex property issues, and his gravitas combined with his deep professional knowledge and sense of humour secured his clients a successful outcome to many difficult problems. He was also a popular and highly effective expert witness in court cases.

Charles was totally committed to shechita, tenaciously fighting its corner in various roles – president and treasurer of the Kashrus Commission (during the 1980s), president of the London Board of Shechita (1994-1996) and president of the National Council of Shechita Boards (1996-1999) when campaigns to ban shechita intensified. Charles used his professionalism and advocacy skills to defeat them.

He married Vivienne Rosefield in 1957 and they lived in Wembley where he became a leading communal figure for almost 30 years. He was warden from 1958, served on its Board of Management and Council and established Wembley Care. He also chaired the Wembley Joint Israel Appeal. He was a Governor of Immanuel College from 1991-1992 and took responsibility for the school’s major building works.

Moving to Golders Green in 1984 he became warden of the Machzike Adas community from 1985-1988. He and Vivienne then moved to Stanmore from where they made aliyah in 2004 and settled in Netanya. Charles regularly led shul services, and after retirement in Israel he was in constant demand to serve on committees at Young Israel of North Netanya and lead services there. with his impeccable knowledge of the traditional melodies fin the Jewish calendar.

Charles was a ‘chevra man’– loved and admired for his integrity, communal devotion, gregariousness, infectious sense of humour and impish smile that lit up a room. Charles, who died in Netanya, is survived by Vivienne, their children Suzy Richman, Simon Oster and Daniel Oster, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. THE FAMILY

Charles Oster: born June 1,1931. Died April 3, 2019.