Joint Jewish Burial Society

The Board of Deputies

The Council of Christians and Jews

Movement for Reform Judaism

Interfaith Relations

Association of Jewish Refugees

Joint Jewish Burial Society

The Society provides burial and cremation facilities for members of Reform and Masorti congregations in Greater London and for some independent congregations outside London. 

FRS is a Full Member congregation. Burial of FRS members is provided at the cemetery at Bulls Cross Ride in Cheshunt, and cremations generally take place at Golders Green Crematorium.

As long as their membership of a Full Member synagogue is continuous and unbroken, congregants can transfer to other JJBS synagogues or Funeral Expenses Scheme synagogues outside Greater London which use local cemeteries without affecting their existing rights

Anyone aged 50+ at the time of joining FRS is entitled to receive only a percentage of the total cost of a funeral. Under the Full Membership scheme there is also an Over Age payment, payable by people over 50 at the time of joining the scheme.

Click here for the JJBS web site

The Board of Deputies

The Board of Deputies is the representative body for British Jews and acts as the combined Jewish voice in the UK. Each community contributes to its funding through a voluntary levy shown with membership subscriptions.

The Board addresses a wide range of social and political issues concerning the Jewish community, notably discussions about inter-faith relations in the current political climate. It was also instrumental in the development of Holocaust Memorial Day, and is involved in claims for restitution by Holocaust victims, defence against attacks on shechita, changes in employment law, provision of resources and special needs training facilities for disabled people.

FRS has three elected Deputies, who attend Board meetings and take an active part in Board discussions.

Click here for the Board of Deputies web site

The Council of Christians and Jews

The Council of Christians and Jews

FRS is a corporate member of the Council of Christians and Jews.  The CCJ works with Christian and Jewish communities to promote mutual understanding and combat prejudice and anti-Semitism.  Its primary focus is Jewish / Christian relations, but it seeks to relate positively to all of Britain’s faith communities.  Its experience of inter-religious dialogue enables it to make a vital contribution to community relations in contemporary British society.

An FRS member is Chairman of the CCJ’s Finchley branch, which organises a varied and stimulating programme of talks, visits and socials throughout the year.  We maintain a constructive dialogue that values respecting and encouraging the traditions and identities of each other, seeking to learn and share, and encouraging our own faith and practice, all with absolutely no suggestion of attempting to influence others with our own belief.  Our activities range from the cerebral, which includes discussions on latest issues by leading Christian and Jewish theologians, to gatherings that are purely social and entertaining.
Our 2010 programme is typical of the wide range of events we offer in Finchley.  We are visiting local synagogue and church services.  The Mayor of Barnet is hosting a reception for us.  We are having discussions on subjects as diverse as Jewish practice in the 21st century, the Knights' Templar, Oliver Cromwell, different paths in Judaism, the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, and the Xaverians.  We are complementing the talk on Oliver Cromwell with a trip to Ely to visit to his house and the Cathedral.  We make a special point of welcoming visitors to Finchley CCJ.

Most people would agree that Christian / Jewish relationships have greatly improved since 1942, when the CCJ was established.  While many factors have contributed to this, undoubtedly the Council has taken a major role in developing those relationships.  Please telephone the CCJ’s central office on 020 7820 0090 or visit its website for more information about our work nationally and in Finchley: Click here for the Council of Christians and Jews

Movement for Reform Judaism

 FRS is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism, and participates in many of its activities.
In all, the Movement brings together nearly 50 Reform communities under the executive direction of Rabbi Tony Bayfield.
 
This year, the Movement emerged from its previous ‘incarnation’ as the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain (RSGB). It has a new approach and emphasis on welcoming people who identify as Reform Jews and accept the values of Reform Judaism while not necessarily finding fulfillment through the traditional synagogue structure.

We are delighted that Mike Grabiner from FRS became the new Chair of the Reform Movement this year, following on from fellow FRS member Andrew Gilbert.

Click here for the MRJ web site

Interfaith Relations

Following the horrific events of 7July 2005, members of the local mosque in North Finchley attended
a solidarity meeting with us at FRS in late July.

The meeting was well attended with lots of representatives from both communities expressing their outrage at the bombings in London, and acknowledging that the perpetrators of the acts were not doing so in the name of Islam. A healthy discussion took place at the meeting, which was also attended by local MPs.

Following his attendance at the FRS Czech Scroll Memorial Service in September, the local imam invited our co-chairs Debbie Jacobs and Robin Dawson to attend the evening meal at his mosque during Ramadan.

Both events helped consolidate relationships between the two communities, which we hope to build on in 2006.

Association of Jewish Refugees

It may be of interest to visitors to your website to know about the extensive social, welfare and financial support services provided to victims of Nazi persecution living in Great Britain by the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR).

In addition to the above services, you may be aware that the AJR’s network of regional groups, in more than 35 locations throughout the country, enables our members to meet, socialise and share their experiences. Our volunteers department arranges for regular visits from a befriender and the Central Office for Holocaust Claims provides advice and assistance with claims for Holocaust era restitution and compensation. AJR members also receive the monthly Journal and benefit from the Centre in West Hampstead, London which serves hot lunches and offers a wide range of entertainment and activities.

For further information about our work please contact us on 020 8385 3070 or visit us at www.ajr.org.uk