Taking Care of Each Other

WLS is a participatory community that seeks to balance the needs of the community and the needs of the individual. We value the range and depth of expertise that our members bring. Each year, our members volunteer their time, energy and talents to meet the many needs of our community and help it thrive and grow. This volunteer work takes many forms—serving on committees or task groups, organising services and programmes, leading us in worship, opening homes for events and contributing to the range of activities that bring us together in celebration. 

SENATE OF ELDERS

The Senate of Elders is our way of ensuring that we honour and use effectively the special kind of community wisdom possessed by long-standing members and retired volunteers. It is our own 'House of Lords', composed of senior and past volunteer leaders who both challenge and advise us on all matters of WLS policy, activity, decision making.

The Senate consists of:

• Honorary Life President
• Honorary Life Vice Presidents
• and appointed members

The Senate is an advisory body.

WLS WARDENS

"Worship of God both grounds us and connects us to a higher purpose.”

The Wardens of WLS play a crucial role in the affairs of the Synagogue. They are honorary officers and have particular responsibility for all matters relating to the conduct of services and rituals in conjunction with the Rabbis.

The Wardens of WLS are also vital for creating a strong and welcoming sense of community both by meeting and greeting members and visitors to the Synagogue and also through the allocation of services to committee groups and the giving of Mitzvot in all services.

The main responsibilities of Wardens are:

• Ensure all services run smoothly working closely with the Rabbis and others on planning special services.
• Invite groups within the community to take the lead in services which will be dedicated to the work of their committee/group.
• Invite members of the congregation to receive Mitzvot.

You can find a list of all previous Wardens of WLS here.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

The best way to get connected and meet people at WLS is to spend time with us. It is always easier to meet people in smaller groups, and we create many options to appeal to the wide interests of our members. Look for information about these and other opportunities on this website, in the monthly Event Sheet, and our periodic e-mail announcements. Its easy to join the e-mail lists, but if you are having trouble, please contact Jo Michaels on 020 7535 0290 for assistance.

WLS welcomes and encourages members to be actively involved in the life of the synagogue, whether it is reading Torah, attending a class, helping out with marketing, communications or social/cultural activities, participating in a committee or task group, serving as a Council member, there are options for a wide range of interests and time availabilities. We welcome members joining us at any point in time. Please contact us with your interests.

Click here for more information on how you could get involved.

If you, or someone you know of, are in need of help or support, or you can offer time, please contact Jo Michaels and make a volunteer happy! If you are interested in being a volunteer, we can give you more information. Filling out a volunteer form does not commit you to anything specific. Rather it lets us know that we can contact you to see if you are able to help out in a given situation. You can always say no.