Our Council Members

Patrick Bower

 

I previously served on Council as Chair of Education, Senior Warden, Assistant treasurer, Chairman and Vice President; I am married to Judith Ish-Horowicz. My priority, if elected, would be to facilitate our development as one harmonious, community, valuing each other,
welcoming new members, and receptive to new ideas.  

 

Jason Burns

 

Age 45.Married to Emma for 16 years and have two kids:  Isabella (who is Bat Mitzvah next year) and James (who is nine).  Both attend the Cheder here.

 

I have been a dentist for 25 years serving the Richmond community.  I have sat on many dental committees in that time, both locally and nationally for government and private businesses.  With this experience I feel I would be able to be a competent and active addition to the Shul Council.

 

 

Josette Cohen

 

Born Paris 1938.Sent most of war in London,so bilingual.French Baccalaureat at French Lycee in Paris.Translator’s degree(French,English,Italian)at Geneva University.

Taught French at Chiswick Grammar School and Convent in Slough and at Aylesburry Prison.Supervisor in VIP lounge Heathrow.Retired,but still teach French privately.

 

Five years on Maidenhead Council,dealing with membership i.e recruiting new members.

 

Vice president for 2 years. Interest:Theatre,cinema,Art,literature. Would like to help with education, outings or social events.

Raymond Hart

 

Member of the synagogue since 1978 and on Council for the last 3 years.Also on the Education committee.Assistant in the library and organiser of many Adult education/activities:Current Affairs,Lunch and learn,French,Spanish,Bridge,New Art & literature,talks on Music and Genealogy and also of individual talks and theatre and other outings.Wish to continue representing particularly the constituency of the active retired and to attain more inter-generational activities.

 

Myles Kaplan

 

I have been a member of the synagogue now for around 15 years and have been the security officer for about 9 of them.  I have developed many friendships over these years and myself, Nicki and our 3 boys Josh, Sam and Louis have been very actively involved to support the synagogue and help the community thrive.

 

I am a General Manager for a serviced office provider in the City of London and bring a palette of different experiences and skills to the table.  I am one for challenging the status quo, helping to revamp business processes and I have had to deal with continuous change and improvement in a commercial setting to ensure the growth of our business.  A favourite phrase of our CEO is “The definition of madness is continuously doing the same thing and expecting to get different results.”  I know that the synagogue has certain challenges facing it going forward and I want to help forge new and innovative ways to ensure the synagogue continues to thrive and build for the future.

Yvonne Mason

 

Yvonne has been a member of the synagogue for twenty years. She and her husband, Rob, and children Hannah, Joseph and Miriam have always been very involved in the synagogue. Yvonne currently serves on the education committee, youth matters group, heder PTA and synagogue events group. If elected she is particularly keen to represent the interests of young people and families with children.

 

Ruth Magnus 

Having crossed the North-South divide very many years ago (originally a member at Middlesex New Synagogue in Harrow), I have been a member at Wimbledon and District Synagogue for some considerable time and am coming up for my sixth year on the Council.  During this time I have chaired the Synagogue Events Group and have been Vice-Chairman since 2009.  This is a friendly and active community .  I hope to continue on Council and contribute to making things bigger, better and more exciting;  and very much hope that in the future many more of our members will want to come forward to join the merry band of volunteers who keep things going.

 

Camilla McGill

 

I am so grateful for what I have gained in my life from being a member at Wimbledon.  I have four young children and I am passionate about making sure that the decisions made on council take into account the views and needs of the youth and young families. 

 

Colin Mendelowitz

 

I have been a synagogue member since 1989. I am married to Laura and have two boys, William, who had his barmitzvah at the shul in 2004 and Benjamin, whose barmitzvah was this year in July.

 

I am a chartered architect and project manager and have been involved in the construction industry both as an architect and project director for the past 30 years.

 

I am pleased to have been asked to remain on council and believe I can continue to contribute to the custodianship of the shul fabric and advise on short  and long term plans for the maintenance and development of our  synagogue.

 

Rachel Ouseley

 

I am a retired Special Needs teacher. I have been involved in the Synagogue for many years,I prepare students for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.I have been a warden for many years and am Senior Warden for the second time.On Council I would like to continue to support and develop the warden’s team, to increase the number of people involved in the religious life of the synagogue, and develop services with the Rabbis

 

Orli Rhodes

 

Since my daughter, Danielle, has been at Judith’s nursery I have become more involved in Synagogue life. Both my children attend cheder and I have been teaching there for the last couple of years. I was a member of the PTA for two years and the Chair for a year. As a professional dietician I took part in leading sessions on diet and exercise at the Synagogue. I am keen to become more involved in the community as my family and I feel very welcome here.

 

Melvyn Simonson

 

Moving south from Hampstead since when a member of the Synagogue almost 25 years.   Married to Patti with children Laura, David and Timothy who were variously Bar and Bat Mitzvah’d in Worple Rd and Queensmere.

 

Previously served on council for Security and more recently as Hon. Sec. and would be pleased to Continue in the technical House biased role, for example, re-assessing our external lighting which needs to be improved.

 

Since I am an electrical engineer and owned a decorative and commercial lighting manufacturing company I am able to put some of my experience to good use.

 

Josephine Urban

 

Joined the Synagogue in 1969 and have served on various committees: Ball, Ritual, Co-Chair Ladies Guild. Established the Harry Urban Holocaust Memorial room and library.

 

Judy Weleminsky

 

Synagogue roles

Currently treasurer and previously chair of Education Committee

Assistant warden

Career

Recently retired from career working for Charities, including as  Chief Executive of NCVO, Rethink, Community Matters, Mental Health Providers Forum

Wide range of management consultancy mostly for charities

Other

Trustee of Makaton and Jewish Resource Centre

 

Maurice Woolf

 

I have been a member of Wimbledon Synagogue since 2000.  I am married to Lisa and have two children, Owen (11) and Jennifer (9).  I have a particular interest in Jewish education and have been a member of the Education Committee for the past five years.  I currently serve as its Chair.  In the past I have dabbled in being a teacher at cheder and trying to revive the ASK group.  I was also involved in restarting the regular children's service - Shabbat club, and a highlight of the year for me is helping to lead the high holy day children's services.  When not at the Synagogue, I am a solicitor working within the telecoms industry. If elected this will be my second stint on council.