25 June 2018

Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) held a special Shabbat service to honour five of its members who have served, or who have recently been elected, as councillors for all four major English political parties.

Kingston members Andrée Frieze (Green Party), Jo Humphreys (Liberal Democrat), Steve Farrer (Conservative Party) and Jeremy Fitzpatrick (Labour Party) were all celebrated, along with KLS member and Liberal Judaism senior rabbi, Rabbi Danny Rich, who was recently elected to Barnet Council for the Labour Party.

The service was attended by Liberal Judaism chair Simon Benscher and led by Kingston’s Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel.

René said: “We are proud to count among us, and celebrate, those who have decided to dedicate their time and their energy to serve their fellow citizens.”

Liberal Jews from other communities were also elected to local council positions at May’s local elections.

Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue now provide five councillors with Jonathan Bianco and John Riley representing the Conservative Party in Hillingdon, Lynda Seymour winning for the Conservatives in Harrow and Janet Davies and Harry Davies both voted onto the Three Rivers District Council for the Liberal Democrats.

Dany Louise, an author and active member of Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, has become a Labour councillor in Hastings.

Members of Finchley Progressive Synagogue and Kehillah North London also won election, including Finchley’s Gill Sargent and Kehillah’s Sue Lukes – who will represent the Labour Party in Barnet and the Labour Party in Islington respectively.