Southend and Westcliff Hebrew Congregation is split over the potential leasing of a shul property to a group of Belz Chasidim who have recently joined the community.
The congregation owns the Talmud Torah building adjacent to the synagogue. In a deal proposed by the shul’s board, the Belzers would fund the building’s refurbishment in return for the option of leasing the premises for their own use.
More than 100 congregants have signed a petition demanding that any deal regarding “the purpose, acquisition or use” of shul property should require “the prior approval of at least 50 per cent of the members present and entitled to vote at a general meeting”.
However, in a letter to members SWHC chair Derek Silverstone argued that the petition sought “to limit the governance of the board of management”. As such, the board was unwilling to convene a general meeting. But a meeting to discuss the issue — rather than vote on it — is planned for Sunday.
