1 Dennington Park Road
London NW6 1AX

Please reply to: Flat 2, 50 Oakington Road, London W9 2DH

31st January, 1996

Dear All,

Two Sundays ago, the WHAM Committee met with the Honorary Officers of the main shul to discuss possible ways to develop a long term relationship with them. Because of the importance of this meeting, I felt it important to write to you in order to let you know its outcome.

The discussion took place against the background of the unanimous decision of last May's Special General Meeting to mandate the Committee to work towards increased co-operation with Hampstead Synagogue without further integration, and the view expressed at the same meeting that in the absence of a spiritual leader, WHAM looked to Rabbi Harris for involvement in WHAM. The Committee was also conscious that the minority view in the main Synagogue that we do not pull our weight was becoming more common and there was clearly a need to build bridges, while retaining WHAM's separate identity.

After extensive discussion, a compromise arrangement was reached whereby Rabbi Harris would attend WHAM services once in every six weeks (with his first visit on 2nd March) and WHAM would join the main service once in every two months (six times a year). Like all compromises, I am very aware that not everyone will be happy with everything about the agreement, however it is important that the reasons for this compromise being settled are understood.

WHAM still needs to grow in order to ensure that it has a "critical mass" where growth and stability of the community will take place automatically. This need for growth means that WHAM resources should be focused towards this goal. As such we need the support and help of Hampstead to provide us with the tools and facilities to enable us to function. To have it any other way would divert our resources away from this key purpose. This reason combined with the mandate given to the Committee meant that this "six week/two months swap" agreement was felt to be the best way forward for WHAM.

As a Committee, we have all committed ourselves fully to co-operate with a view to these services being successful and we regard it as vital that this agreement is given support by all of WHAM. I propose that at the AGM, which will take place on the 23rd April, we can discuss in an open forum how this arrangement is working and how it should be developed.

At the AGM we also need to elect a new committee and if you want to get more involved in this issue, or any other concerning WHAM, then this is the time to formalise your commitment.

Please let me know if there are any other issues you want to discuss. I'll see you in synagogue on Shabbat.

With kindest regards,

Paul Jacobus.

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Last revision: 20th June, 1996.
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