About

Officers and Council

2023-24

Rabbis

Rabbi Jordan Helfman

Rabbi Lev Taylor

SWESRS President and Life Vice Presidents

PRESIDENT
Valerie Garnelas

LIFE VICE PRESIDENT
Evelyn Dalton

LIFE VICE PRESIDENT
Sheila Chiat

LIFE VICE PRESIDENT
Bernard Davis

LIFE VICE PRESIDENT
Lucille Leaf

LIFE VICE PRESIDENT
Hugh Noble

SWESRS Officers

CHAIR
Lester Allen

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My name is Lester Allen, I have been a member of the synagogue for 32 years and in that time I have served on Council, Wardening, Senior Warden, Vice Chair and finally Chair in 2006. I am married to Sue, and we have three children who all completed their Bar/ Bat Mitzvah in the Synagogue. I am now retired but in my working life I trained as a Chef and was Executive Chef for 37 years working in many countries around the world my first position was in Tel Aviv. My interests are walking, football, foreign languages and travelling.

I am looking forward to my second year in leading the Synagogue making the required changes needed to ensure the future community becomes a vibrant place to be. Working with our two Rabbis in new and exciting initiatives, respecting the past and looking forward to a prosperous future.

VICE CHAIR
Michael Dalton

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A resident of Wanstead I have been a member of the synagogue for approximately 50 years. Our 3 children were Bar/Bat mitzvah at Oaks Lane and our youngest daughter Bat Torah. I have been Chair for 3 years and Vice Chair for one.   I will continue to support our Chairman in our exciting programme of renewal in the year ahead!

HON. SECRETARY
Sue Jackson

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I am very pleased to have been a Council member for many years and hope to continue in this work in the year to come, including as Honorary Secretary. I have previously been Vice-Chair to the Council, Chair of the Covid Risk Assessment Group, Chair of the Rabbinic Recruitment Group and Volunteer Co-ordinator. I continue to remain heavily involved with SWESRS and currently Chair the Strategic Planning Sub-Committee.  I am delighted to have been part of a Council that works collaboratively, openly and transparently and I have high hopes for SWESRS’ future.

HON. TREASURER
Sue Terpilowski OBE

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I have been a member of SWESRS for 43 years and am the current treasurer. I have previously held the following posts as a Council Member, Assistant Hon Secretary, Hon Secretary and Chair of Education & Youth (four times – I am the current Chair) plus I have been active on a number of other sub-groups over the years. I am a regular attendee of the Shabbat morning service and run the tech side of services. The reason I am standing for Hon Treasurer is that having been in post for the past two years, I would like to continue with the work I have been doing on moving members on to direct debits and changing to a new management and accounting system from 2023. Also, we as everyone else are facing some massive increases in our outgoings I believe therefore continuity at this time is key.

SWESRS Council

Paul Flanagan

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Many of you who don't know me personally will know me by sight as I quite often help out with security on Shabbat and YomTovs. Also because I'm the man on the big red motorbike! I have been a member of the shul for four years having come through the conversion programme under Rabbi Lisa. Before this I was familiar with SWESRS as my wife was a member and had many relatives and friends here. It has been an eye opener to serve a year on Council. I didn't realise how much work goes into keeping our wonderful community going. I am proud to play some small part in this work. My different perspective on things is useful I hope and my interest in securing the future of this warm welcoming community remains resolute.

Lee Goldsmith

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I am honoured to have served as a council member at SWESRS for the past three years. Together with my family, we have been proud members of this synagogue for over two decades, and I am excited to continue serving our community in the coming year. In my previous term on the council, I was privileged to represent the Synagogue for the Jewish Joint Burial Society (JJBS) and continue to do so. Additionally, I have been actively involved in ensuring the security of our shul. As a council member, I recognise the vital role we play in safeguarding our congregation and creating a safe environment for worship and community activities. The well-being of our members is of utmost importance to me, and I will continue working diligently to maintain a secure and welcoming atmosphere within our synagogue. Joining the council has allowed me to witness firsthand the tireless efforts made behind the scenes to ensure the growth and prosperity of our synagogue. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to these endeavours, and I am committed to working collaboratively with my fellow council members to address the diverse needs of our community. As a member of the council, I firmly believe in the importance of serving our community and listening to the voices of our members.

Claire Hartley

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I grew up at SWESRS, my family joined the synagogue when I was 6 years old and I am very proud to be a member now myself. I am married and have 4 young children. My 2 eldest children attend Clore Tikva School and we are really committed to communal life. I worked previously as a Care Coordinator for SWESRS which has given me a great insight into the needs of our community. I want to stand again as a Council Member in order to continue to represent young families.

Farrel Igielman

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It has been my honour to serve as Honorary Secretary for two terms. We still need volunteers to support our community in any way possible. Hence, this year I wish to stand for Council and to help with SWESRS continued development, drawing on the talent of our rabbis. In addition, if called upon, I would serve as part of a trio performing the duties of the Senior Warden.

Ruth Konzon

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I have been a member of SWESRS since 1989 when Tony and I joined the shul in order to get married.  Our daughters attended Cheder and celebrated their Bat Mitzvot at SWESRS. I have been an active member of the community for a number of years and a member of Council on three previous occasions.  I have been a Lay Reader in the past and continue to read in Shul. I regularly led services at The Settlement before the last few members decided that separate services were no longer viable.  I have been a member of the Warden’s Panel for the last two years. I work for Local Government as a Project Manager in the construction of affordable housing.  I was a member of Council last year and feel I have been able to bring a number of skills from my working life to the Shul Council.  I would like to continue to contribute to the well-being of the Shul through being a member of the Council.

David Lawson

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My parents were founding members of SWERS. I attended early services held at The Labour Hall and was a pupil at the first religion school classes. Both my wife Frances (nee Roth) whose parents were members and I have been members all of our adult lives and her father was Chairman and both her mother, and my mother were inaugural members of the choir. I have served on Council and for sixteen years as Hon Solicitor for SWESRS. I am now retired but hope my experience can be of assistance in future progress and management.

Steve Robbins

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Having come to the end of my stint as Senior Warden, I wish to continue to serve SWESRS as a member of Council. I would bring several years experience in synagogue management to this role having also served as Chairman and Assistant Secretary here and as Chair and Senior Warden at my previous synagogue. I have also served on a number of synagogue and Reform Judaism committees.

Robert Young

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Have been a member of the Synagogue for over fifty years and our three sons have all been through religion school and the barmitzvah process. I was active in the Jewish Cultural Society in my younger days and was pleased to take on the role of facilitator for the Social and Community Group when it was established in 2019. In that capacity I have taken the lead in organising a wide range of events extending from on-line presentations to workshops and concerts in the Synagogue. Although now retired, my professional background is in initial teacher education, and I remain engaged in the primary education sector through school governorship and leadership roles in two national bodies concerned with educational issues.