OUR RABBIS

Maurice was a latecomer to the Rabbinate, having served for many years in industry, and it was the ability to take early retirement from his job which enabled him to fulfil a longheld desire to undertake the course of study leading to ordination as a Rabbi.

The Reform Movement is indeed fortunate in having Maurice Michaels as one of its rabbis, because he brings to the Rabbinate a tremendous amount of experience as a lay leader. He and his family have been longstanding members of SWESRS, where he served as our Chairman 1974-76. He has always been interested in communal affairs and has served on the Board of Deputies, the Zionist Federation Council, and the National Council for Soviet Jewry as well as a variety of other Jewish and non-Jewish organisations.

His involvement in Reform Judaism led naturally to working with RSGB, and in 1983, a difficult year for the Movement, he became the Chairman of RSGB. By the time he completed his term of office in 1986 the difficulties had been resolved and the Reform Movement was back on a growth course. Subsequently Maurice became Chairman of the Leo Baeck College, the body which oversees the work of the college in which he himself was to become a student. Indeed when Maurice decided to become a rabbinic student he was obliged to resign his position of Chairman of LBC. He currently teaches Practical Rabbinics at the college.

Following smichah in 1996, Rabbi Michaels became Associate Rabbi at Edgware and District Reform Synagogue, the Movement's largest congregation, where he endeared himself to the community in his educational, pastoral and spiritual leadership role.

Although working in Edgware, Maurice remained committed to this area and has been heavily involved in the formation of the Clore Tikva School, becoming it's first Chair of Governors - a position he held for over five years.

He is very involved in inter-faith work and is a member of the management committee of the Redbridge Faith Forum.

Maurice is currently chair of the Assembly of Rabbis of the Movement for Reform Judaism and, in that capacity, is a vice-chair of the Movement.

RABBI MICHAEL PERTZ

Rabbi Michael Pertz was born in Johannesberg, South Africa in 1958 and grew up in a small farming town, Leslie. His late father, Max came from Butremans in Lithuania. His mother Elsie Klingsman's family originated in Eastern Europe and England and came to South Africa through his late grandfather who has fought for the British in Nambia in World War II.

Michael grew up in a liberally minded family, with his sister, Shelly. It was a background at odds with Apartheid South Africa and one bearing witness to the growing injustices being perpetuated against the majority black population. Michael completed his High School education then read Law & Political Science at the University of the Witwatersrand. During the late 70s he became increasingly active in the struggle against apartheid and racism.

On concluding his studies at the end of 1979, he refused to serve in the white racist army and left for exile in the United Kingdom. Here he joined up with other South African exiles to work for the Anti-Apartheid Movement, and shortly afterwards for the ANC-affiliated South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) as its publicity officer.

By the end of the 80s, with the Anti-Apartheid struggle drawing to a positive conclusion, Michael decided to begin exploring his own Jewish faith and tradition. By chance he met Rabbi Sheila Shulman, who helped him on this new journey as he attended services and became active in Beit Klal Yisrael Reform Synagogue. Friends began to suggest to Michael that he apply for the Rabbinate. At the thought of this he returned briefly to South Africa where he decided to come back to the UK and to apply to become a student rabbi.

In September 1995 Michael began to study for the Rabbinate at Leo Baeck College with all its wonderful intensity and eccentricities. In his fifth year of study Michael was placed as a student Rabbi with the Harlow Jewish Community and after Ordination applied to and happily accepted staying on as the Community's first Rabbi, where he worked for three years.

His great love, other than his work is modern Jewish philosophy.

HONORARY OFFICERS AND COUNCIL

The following groups are included SRAC (SWESRS' Religious Action Committee), House Management Group (HMG), Charities Committee, Donations Group, Security Group, Adult Study, Caring, Education and Youth, Interfaith, Israel Action, Membership, and Religious Services. .

OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

The Office is managed by Cheryll Gardiner who is personal assistant to Rabbi Michaels and responsible for the remaining office staff, who consist of Gillian Goodman (administrator for education and youth), Bessie Lewin (part-time administrative assistant and personal assistant to Rabbi Pertz), and Lucille Leaf (part-time book-keeping assistant); and the caretaker, Onka.