Clubs and groups

There are a number of active groups here in Kingston covering a broad base of different subjects / activities.

For the last four years sons & dads from Sutton Synagogue have been playing football in a school gym in Ewell. Recently a small contigent from Kingston Synagogue has joined them. Our rabbi has also promised to come when time permits.

We play every Wednesday in school term time, from 9 to 10 pm

All are welcome from 14 to 65. It's good exercise, great fun & not too serious. If you need transport or you want more detailed information then please let Martin Wolfson know on 020 8399 7484

6-a-side football home page

This group is for those people in year 11 and 6th form. South West London region runs meetings frequently and there is always a good turn out. It's as religious as you want to make it. AJ6 doesn't force religion upon you, you do as much or as little as you want. There are 4 national weekends and a conference each year. Meetings are normally held in people's homes on a Sunday night. For further information contact the Shul.

Kingston AJ6 home page

THE History of AJEX

For many years the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women has been an integral part of the Jewish Community in the U.K and has a long and proud history going back some 80 years when, after the first World War, a Maccabean Branch of the British Legion (now the Royal British Legion) was formed and many Jewish Ex-Servicemen gave it their whole-hearted support to help keep alive the memory of the many who gave their lives in that terrible conflict. 

From the estimated Jewish population of 400,000 in the U.K. at the start of World War II, about 60,000 Jewish men and women served in the armed services – a proportion greater than the population as a whole.  This figure does not include Dominion  personnel or the 30,000 men and women who voluntarily enlisted in the British Forces in Palestine.  In addition, about 4,000 Jewish refugees enlisted in Alien Pioneer companies  and so proved their trust that many of them were transferred to fighting battalions, some becoming Commandos and Paratroopers.  British Jews bore their full share of the War in every quarter of the globe in operations on land, sea and air and they continued to do so in the Korean conflict, the Falklands and other theatres of war.    About 2,500 British Jews and 750 Palestinians gave their lives .  Jewish personnel won more than 900 decorations, including two V.Cs, or were mentioned in dispatches.

In 1946, the present Association was formed with the three aims of commemorating the fallen, providing assistance and help to Jewish ex-Servicemen and women who had fallen on hard times, and to combat anti-semitism wherever it might be encountered.  Those aims are as alive today as they were many years ago..

AJEX IN Kingston & Surbiton

The Kingston and Surbiton Branch of AJEX was formed in 1948 under the Chairmanship of Cyril Short and the late Henry Marks as Secretary.  There was a membership of approximately 30 and, since the Synagogue as such did not exist at that time, meetings were held in members’ homes.  Unfortunately, the Branch Records are scanty and it has not been possible to compile a complete list of Chairmen and Officers but, in 1967, the late Lt. Commander Buddy Freedman R.N. became Chairman with his wife, Myra as Secretary and the Branch membership stabilised at around 50 members.  

Over the years Branch activities tended to reduce but, when the late Leon Sabel became Chairman, he was determined that the Kingston Branch of AJEX would continue and, almost single-handed, and year after year, he arranged monthly meetings which were a feature of the life of this Community.  More than anyone else, Leon was responsible for the continuity of the Branch and he is still fondly remembered.

When Leon died in 1993, Myra Freedman took over the Chair and her enthusiasm and a new Committee ensured that the Branch would carry on but, unfortunately, after a comparatively short tenure, Myra too passed on.

The Branch then continued to function, albeit on a quieter level.   Moreover, with the passing of time and natural attrition, the membership gradually reduced to some two dozen members and it was decided some three years ago, with the agreement of AJEX H.Q. that the Kingston Branch of AJEX would amalgamate with our neighbours in Wimbledon whose membership had also declined.   A year or so later, the Wimbledon & Kingston Branch of AJEX became the Wimbledon, Kingston & Sutton Branch with a membership of more than 130 which now raises significant sums for AJEX Charities.

Remembrance Services

Each year the three wings of the branch (Wimbledon, Kingston & Sutton) will be holding Civic Remembrance Services at their respective synagogues, at which many local dignitaries as well as Members of Parliament will be present. For as long as AJEX continues to exist remembrance of our departed comrades will be a cornerstone of our activities.

Kingston AJEX home page

The Bridge Club was formed in 1988 to accommodate the considerable number of members of the Synagogue who either already enjoyed playing bridge socially or who were interested in learning how to play duplicate bridge.

Some 60 people attended the opening meeting and showed interest in taking part in the enterprise, when an annual fee of £5 per person and table money of £1 per session were agreed. Visitors were welcome, and were asked to pay £2 table money pending their becoming members. These charges still obtain despite the ravages of inflation.

The initial receipt of fees enabled the purchase of eight tables, seven of which are still in use, and the necessary boards, cards and stationery. Sessions are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month at 8 pm in the Synagogue hall, and tea/coffee and biscuits are provided.

Unfortunately, in this frantic age, people are working more or are merely too busy to enjoy their leisure time, and membership is now much reduced, and we would welcome new members with enthusiasm. Members of other synagogues are always welcome, and the majority of Club members do not belong to Kingston Synagogue. Members do, however, have to be Jewish, since the venue is a house of worship.

Expenses are kept to the minimum, and the members are quietly proud of the fact that the Club has donated approximately £3,600 to charity during its 14+ years of existence.

Bridge club home page

Open to teenagers in Years 9 to 13. They meet every other Sunday during term time in members homes from 7 to 9 p.m. The group has been running successfully for some years now but is always looking for new members. They feel it is important for young people to meet new Jewish friends within the community. For further information contact the Shul.

Kingston FZY home page

Children aged 8 and over are welcome to attend this group which has meetings alternately on Sunday afternoons in Sutton and Kingston. Part of a national group members are invited to join in with Summer and Winter camps. For further information please ring the national Head Office on 020-8883 1022/3 or visit their website www.hanoar.co.uk.  For further information contact the Shul.

Kingston Hanoar Hatzioni home page

Set up in July 2002, the Committee’s formal objectives were to promote awareness of Israel and issues affecting the Community, increase the Community’s involvement with Israel and promote Israeli-related activities within the community; its members did not have to be members of the Synagogue, as the Committee was hoping to work closely with other communities and organisations.

If you would like to contact the Israel Committee by e-mail send to israelcommittee@kingston-synagogue.org.uk

Israel committee home page

The Kingston Israeli Dancing Group meets every few months. For information, please contact the Shul office

Israeli dancing home page

For youngsters aged 11 and over. They meet every Monday night from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. during term time at a School in Sutton. Youngsters have the opportunity to learn new skills from learning Japanese to doing magic tricks! The Brigade holds successful winter and summer camps with an average of 20 youngsters attending from the Kingston/Sutton group. For further information contact the Shul.

Kingston JLGB home page

KYM Reunited is a social group for people in their 30s, 40s and 50s that meets regularly. For further information please contact the Shul or Michele R.

KYM Reunited home page

We are a dynamic group, who meet once a month.  Our actual ages range from 35 to 95! 

What do we do?

 ·     On Sabbath and Festivals we prepare the kiddush for after the service

 ·      We prepare kiddushim for special occasions such as Bar Mitzvah and Bat Chayil celebrations

 BUT WE DO MORE THAN JUST CATER

 ·      We organise dinners and fund-raising events to support our charitable donations to Israel

 ·      We donate to a scholarship fund

 ·      We raise money to help with the refurbishment of the Synagogue

 ·       We always enter a very strong quiz team for the annual A.U.S.W. quiz

 ·       We beautify the Synagogue for the Festivals and decorate the Succah

 ·       We have in the last 12 months hosted book and gift sales in the Synagogue Hall.

Why not take a three months’ option?  Come to three committee meetings; take on an active or even a passive part in our commitments and interests.

You can help to plan strategies for future fund-raising events or give us actual support weekly, monthly or annually.

For further information please contact the Shul.

Ladies Guild home page

What we are: Our club is aimed for ladies and gentlemen over the age of 60 years.

Where and when: We are situated in Kingston Synagogue hall on Tuesdays from 10.30am until 3.30pm

Activities: A full day is promised to include morning coffee, a home-cooked 3 course lunch and afternoon tea! Morning activities include handicrafts; cards; discussion;exercise class and chess. Any other suggestions for activities will always be considered. The afternoon includes brilliant entertainment.

WE WECOME NEW MEMBERS.

Riverside club home page

Recently started up with a couple of meetings this term. This is for youngsters aged 12 - 16, held on Sunday evenings. For further information please contact the Shul

Study group home page

For further information please contact the Shul

Kingston UJIA home page

Kingston WIZO is part of British WIZO, the largest Jewish  women’s organization in Great Britain, which raises funds to support more than 800  social welfare projects for women and children in Israel.

 Our local group has about 100 members, drawn from a wide spectrum of synagogues in the area, including many members of the Kingston and Surbiton District Synagogue. We hold meetings both  in the evenings and during the day, and during the last year we  organized a Book Circle, outings, theatre trips, speakers on Israeli and Jewish topics  and a musical quiz supper. We have an active group of bridge players who meet monthly for lunch and we also hold one or two large Bridge Suppers during the year. Each summer we arrange a day outing to a historic home or other place of interest. If you are interested in meeting us and supporting our charitable work in Israel, please contact Jackie G or Anne L at:

British WIZO
107 Gloucester Place
London
W1U 6BY

Kingston WIZO home page