Community
North-West London shul imposes levy on members after record £100k loss
Hendon Synagogue takes 'a number of actions' to stabilise finances
February 13, 2019 11:51
Hendon Synagogue takes 'a number of actions' to stabilise finances
February 13, 2019 11:51Hendon United Synagogue’s leaders are scrapping special fee rates and imposing a £25 security levy on members after warning of a “record” loss of £100,000 for last year.
In a letter to members, chairman Jonny Goldberg and financial representative Tristan Nagler said the congregation would have faced an “uncertain future” if remedial action had not been taken.
The synagogue spent £760,000 in 2018, while generating income of £650,000.
Mr Goldberg and Mr Nagler said that after the new executive took office last May, “it became apparent to us that the shul’s finances were not on a stable footing - and that unless remedial action was taken, the shul would become heavily loss-making”.
The executive had taken “a number of actions” over the remaining part of the year to stabilise finances, they said.
A security levy was necessary to help fund guards, “who are unfortunately necessary as a visible deterrent".
They explained that the synagogue could no longer afford to offer “special” subscription rates and it would move to a standard rate for families and a standard single rate.
But they added: “It goes without saying that those of our members who are in genuine hardship should contact the shul office so we can manage the impact of these changes in an appropriate manner.”
One woman’s bill jumped by over 25 per cent from £375 last year to £465 this year (excluding further requested voluntary contributions of £10 to maintain the North-West London eruv and £30 for the Board of Deputies).
According to Marc Meyer, the synagogue’s former chairman, who stood down in spring: “When we were elected more than seven years ago, we inherited a deficit, which is not unusual for any ageing shul.
"Under the able watch of our financial representative, the shul finances were stabilised and then enjoyed a sustained growth for four years in a row with increasing surpluses.
"The last two years produced small deficits but the 2018 numbers are under the watch of the new team and I therefore cannot comment on them.”
But he did maintain that the new team would have inherited a “manageable budget”.
Mr Goldberg told the JC: “The figure taken in isolation is misleading. The board of management has already put in place significant cost-cutting measures to ensure this deficit is substantially reduced. We have also taken steps to increase our income through successful fundraising events and accessing grants. However, our primary income comes from our members."
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