East London shul says Federation charges putting it at risk

When the congregation could no longer sustain “those excessive fees,” they said, “the Federation threatened us with disaffiliation – a move that would mean losing our synagogue building and, inevitably, the community”.

Nine years ago the synagogue, which has been affiliated to the Federation since 1931, was struggling to survive, with Shabbat services being held only once a month in a leaky building. A motion to dissolve it was actually tabled in 2016.

But volunteers rallied round to revive its fortunes, leading to a regular Shabbat minyan, Shabbat lunch for worshippers and a programme that includes a public menorah lighting at Chanukah, which attracts 300 people.

Kosher food is distributed to the local Jewish community, including shemurah matzah for Pesach, while an outreach campaign has encouraged around 100 people to put up mezuzot.

Funds were also raised to repair the building. The synagogue’s rabbi Yitzchok Austin walks a nine-mile round trip from his home in Stamford Hill to lead services.

“Now, despite our revival, our future is once again at risk,” the trustees said.

In 1958, the community donated its premises to the Federation in return for a 999-year lease, with a peppercorn rent of a shilling a year.

However, in 2021, the Federation started asking the community to contribute £3,996 a year to the organisation.

But LAWS argues that the rate – based on the number of members who belong to the Federation’s burial society – should be more like £500.

Five years ago, according to a pre-planning application to Waltham Forest Council, the Federation proposed the demolition of the existing building and redevelopment of the site – with the erection of 13 flats and ground-floor space for a synagogue.

LAWS’ trustees said, “Despite our best efforts to resolve the matter through the London Beth Din, the Federation – having initially agreed – refused to attend at the last minute. The London Beth Din, meanwhile, has so far declined to let the matter proceed to the civil courts.

“This has left our small but thriving kehillah [community] – the last traditional Orthodox synagogue serving the historic East London community – trapped in a procedural deadlock between two powerful institutions.”

They added: “What we ask for is simple: that our community be treated on the same basis as every other affiliate synagogue, and that our future not be jeopardised by disproportionate fees or institutional politics.

“We are determined to fight for our survival. We call on the wider Jewish community and our religious leadership to help safeguard the next 100 years of Jewish life in Leytonstone.

“Our message is clear: we will not be silenced. We believe in the value of our community and are confident that history will look kindly on those who fought to protect it.”

Both the Federation of Synagogues and the London Beth Din were approached by the JC for comment.

LAWS said the Federation was insisting that the dispute should be heard by its own Beth Din.

The synagogue said it had applied to the LBD for a heter, a dispensation, to take its case to the civil courts.

See: www.lawsynagogue.org/