‘lifetime opportunity to make a timeless impact’...the agenda participating in the construction...

‘Lifetime opportunity to make a timeless impact’

Knesset Yehezkhel Brochure V2.indd 1 11/12/2013 13:51

FRONT ELEVATION


A Letter from the RavThis is a historic moment for Anglo Sephardi Jewry. We are proud to announce, baruch Hashem, that our plans for our new, enlarged, beautiful and state-of-the-art Synagogue has been given planning approval by Barnet Council.

We would now like to welcome all of you to help make this noble vision a reality!

I am grateful to say that our Shul has achieved over the years a great sense of esteem and admiration not only for its excellence in both Torah education and an outstanding atmosphere for Tefillah, but more essentially for being a ‘united’ Shul. We pride ourselves with the knowledge that we have built a Mikdash Me’at with an ethos that stands on the foundations of genuine respect and care for others. Our Synagogue has become a beacon and an example for other Torah-led institutions.

I would like to share an important insight that I feel is strongly connected to the special success of our Shul. It is my belief that our success is routed in the merit and inspiration of the very many charitable deeds that our dear supporters and congregants have given over the years. Such a generosity of spirit shows a unique love for our community and an appreciation for the importance of our Sephardi traditions and heritage.

May Hashem bless all those who will support this holy project.

May we continue to go מחיל לחיל.

Rabbi Aaron Bassous

The NewBeth Hamedrash Knesset Yehezkel


The SituationA great hazak u’baruch goes out to those many individuals who have joined our holy Kehillah at Beth Hamedrash Knesset Yehezekel and contributed to its growth over the past 26 years. The growth has been sometimes steady, sometimes extraordinary. Our success is the result of the dedication of the pioneer members who helped form the first minyan in Rabbi Bassous’s mother’s house all those years ago. From there we moved into 187 Golders Green Road in 1989 and masterminded the subsequent refurbishment of the special Synagogue and Kollel we have today.

Our community today eagerly embarks on the next chapter of our Shul. We have now outgrown our premises and the need for more seats and more ‘breathing space’ is especially evident on Shabbatot and Yamim Tovim. The Synagogue is also lacking its own function hall, which is a major disadvantage for community members. Furthermore, as a community it is important to have our own Mikveh and not to rely on the Mikveh facilities of others, which are themselves becoming more and more overcrowded. A new building – a community centre - has therefore been beautifully and cleverly designed to house all of these requirements and will cater for all the different age groups in the community.

This brochure introduces the New Beth Hamedrash Knesset Yehezkel and the important fundraising programme, which is now under way. We hope that every member and supporter will be able to identify a way in which they can support this programme so that together we can build a magnificent Shul to pray and learn in!


MEN’S SECTION


FUNCTION HALL


Golders Green is mostly famous for its Jewish communities. There were Jewish family shops and homes by 1910, and by 1915 there were thought to be about 300 Jewish families. By 1959 around a quarter of the population of the Borough was Jewish.

In recent years Golders Green itself has seen a significant resurgence in population as well as economic growth. Jews from other parts of London, as well as from abroad, have moved to the area and the council has given planning approval for Jewish Care’s landmark Maurice & Vivienne Wohl Campus in Golders Green Road, which measures 160,000 sq ft and includes a 45-bed nursing home.

There is also the SAGE Nursing Home in Golders Green Road for the frail and elderly of the Jewish community in need of care and medical attention whether or not they are able to pay.

The Local Neighbourhood


The PlansA planning application has been approved for the construction of our new-build Synagogue and Community Centre at 185-187 Golders Green Road. The new 1,200 m2 building will accommodate:

ì Approx 350 seats

ì An in-door Succah roof

ì A large function hall for circa 275 people

ì A men’s Mikveh and shower facilities

ì A large lecture hall and several rooms for smaller shiurim

ì Residential accommodation on the top floor

ì Parking for 10 cars

A house has been purchased at 209 Golders Green Road, which will be the Rabbi’s new home b’e’H. The house is in need of refurbishment and extensions and has now been granted planning approval to implement those changes.


Basement Ground Floor First Floor Second Floor


MIKVEH


The AgendaParticipating in the construction of a new synagogue building is, for most of us, a once in a lifetime opportunity. An opportunity to make a timeless impact on our community. An impact on our generation and future generations yet to be born.

In order to commence the development we must raise £3,000,000 by January 2015. To protect the financial integrity of the community we will not commence work until we are sure that we can obtain the funds required to complete the project.

We will not be successful in our fundraising endeavours if we assume that fundraising is someone else’s problem. This is a community project for London Sephardi Jewry. You, your children and your grandchildren will benefit from this renewal programme and therefore we must appeal to your generosity.

We are fully conscious and are sensitive to the fact that everyone’s financial situation is not the same. But we truly cannot undertake this scheme without your financial support and every “brick” counts. Thank you!


Costs ì Total cost estimate: £4,000,000

How do we pay for it? ì £3,000,000 by donations to be raised before construction starts

ì £500,000 by donations from membership over 3 years

ì £500,000 by loan repayable over 15 years funded by Shul fees and other income

ì All donations could benefit from Gift Aid


LADIES GALLERY


ì Naming of Building

ì Men’s Section

ì Women’s Section

ì Simcha Hall

ì Mikveh

ì Entrance Lobby

ì Bet HaMedrash

ì Library

ì Aron HaKodesh

ì Seating for Shul

ì Tevah

ì Lecture rooms

ì Furnishings for Bet HaMedrash

£1,500,000

£500,000

£300,000

£260,000

£260,000

£180,000

£180,000

£180,000

£120,000

£120,000

£52,000

£52,000

£52,000

Dedication Opportunities


£36,000

£18,000

£18,000

£18,000

£18,000

£18,000

£10,000

£10,000

£5,200

£2,600

£2,600

£2,600

ì Parochet

ì Main Entrance Doors

ì Mehitzah

ì Ornamental Glass Chandelier

ì Kitchen

ì Lift installation

ì New Sefarim

ì Bookcases

ì Main Entrance Mezuzah

ì Tree of Life Plaque

ì Simcha Hall Mezuzah

ì Mezuzot throughout

Dedication Opportunities


In order to undertake this noble mission and provide the vision of our new Shul, we are going to rely on the generosity of every individual member of the community. Without the assistance of the community we will not be able to achieve this important task. We are living in times where there are many positive and revolutionary changes being made for London Jewry. Many synagogues in our vicinity have already responded to these changes and undergone their own refurbishment or expansion projects. We need to respond to these changes. We need a Synagogue that will be a centre of activities and functions for all to gather and benefit from. We need a building that will be a beacon for our youth, our elderly and for those unfortunate souls who are far from Judaism. We need a structure that all can identify with.

Most importantly, we very much need your support!

“Every brick counts!”


For more information:

Email: [email protected]

We recognise that many of you may wish to make their donations anonymously. Please contact Rabbi Bassous to discuss your requirements in the strictest confidence.

PRODUCTION BY ONLYJD.CO.UK


‘lifetime opportunity to make a timeless impact’...the agenda participating in the construction...

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