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United Synagogue News

Introducing the new President of the United Synagogue

Below is the address to US Council members by the new President of the United Synagogue immediately following his election.





On Monday 11th July, Stephen Pack was officially elected as the new President of the United Synagogue by members of the US Council. Mr Pack has been a Trustee of the United Synagogue for nine years, six as a Treasurer and three as a Vice President.

In his election manifesto, Mr Pack cited his vision to create a US that younger members were keen to join, thereby helping to secure the future of the organisation for the next generation. This would involve focusing on the needs of younger families and attracting those that are currently uninvolved by encouraging the establishment of new communities for younger committed families. He also highlighted his commitment to involving younger members of the community in the running of the US and organising council meetings aimed specifically at this demographic.

Mr. Pack's other plans for the future include developing future Rabbis for the US; providing benefits to US members when using KLBD caterers and facilities; enhancing the US's close relationship with the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council, and developing better education programmes through US initiatives and by building strong relationships with US schools. The implementation of other general management and financial support strategies at the Centre and across local United Synagogue communities would also be addressed and Mr Pack also plans to be very involved with the appointment of the next Chief Rabbi.

On the same evening the composition of the Trustee Board Members was confirmed, comprising of Russell Kett and Jonathan Miller who join the Trustee board for the first time as Vice Presidents and Stephen Lubinsky and Brian Markeson as Treasurers. Stephen Fenton remains a Trustee, moving post from Treaurer to Vice President and Treasurer Russell Tenzer will also remain in his post for a second term. The evening also saw for the first time the election of two Women's Representatives at the Trustee Board for the United Synagogue, Naomi Landy and Doreen Samuels.

On being elected Mr Pack said:

"I have a deep passion for the United Synagogue and feel honoured to have been elected its new President. It is a remarkable organisation with so many wonderful communities providing vital services and support to our members. I am now looking forward to building on the exciting initiatives already in progress to secure the future for the next generation."

Outgoing US President Simon Hochhauser offered his congratulations and well wishes to his successor. He said;

"I wish all the best to Stephen as I do to all of the Trustees. I am confident that this excellent team will continue to take the United Synagogue forwards."

Commenting on her election as a US Women Representative,

Doreen Samuels said:

"It is a huge privilege to work with the United Synagogue which is a major force for Modern Orthodoxy"

Naomi Landy said:

"I feel very privileged to have been elected as a Women's Representative at the Trustee Board for the United Synagogue. I look forward to working with the incoming team and building on the remarkable progress made in recent times."

Peter Sheldon, Former President of the United Synagogue and now President of the Chief Rabbi's Trust said:

"I am delighted that the US is getting a President with the outstanding qualities that Stephen Pack has. I have no doubt that together with his new team of Honorary Officers, we will witness a new era in the continuing progress of the United Synagogue."

Simon Rocker of the Jewish Chronicle said:

"It is very healthy to have an election for the United Synagogue. Nice to see a full hall and there was a very positive buzz about the place."

A Life President of the Hadley Wood Jewish Community, Mr Pack, together with his wife Cheryl was responsible for nurturing the community from its early days when it met in their home, to its current state of rapid expansion. Mr Pack is a charted accountant by profession and was a partner in major UK accountancy firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers for 26 years before retiring in 2010.



To view previous articles please click on the links below

US Kosher Milk Now Available at Waitrose.
US Israel Burial Plan.
US New Series for Newly Weds.

New Video Presents the United Synagogue Strategy

The video highlights how the future of the US relies on reaching out to all members of every age - and is rooted in core authentic Jewish values. These are values that are in touch with the modern world and that speak to every single Jew.