Henry Fried

Chairman

Henry is a retired civil servant and is the Shul’s current Chairman. He was a Town and District Councillor for 12 years (1995-2007) which included a year as the Mayor of Leighton Buzzard in 2001. He says that gives him both the time and skill set to be chairman of our community! 

Henry had an orthodox upbringing in London, where he went to Jewish primary and secondary schools and learnt to do grace after meals at breakneck speed! He married Rebecca in 1980 and they have two children: Mark, who got married in June 2012 and Anna, who lives in Jerusalem. Henry has been a Shul member for many years.

Sarah Friedman

Treasurer

This year is Sarah’s 23rd year serving on the Council and 20th as an Honorary Officer.

Sarah joined the Shul in 1982 after moving to Milton Keynes for work and was first elected to the Council in 1983 where her main roles were Kiddush Officer and Listen Editor. Since then she has been Vice Chairman, Chairman, and Treasurer, a role she carries on these days. During her term as Chairman she designed the Ark, Bimah and lectern.

Having retired from her work as a Financial Accounting and Mathematics lecturer she now enjoys voluntary roles with Thames Valley Police, Friends of the Health Centre, and the Bereavement Counselling Service as well as gardening and her new hobby, quilting.

Stan Cohen

Senior Warden

Stan is a retired probation officer. His family were members of the United Synagogue in Stoke Newington and Southgate, London. He and his brother  were involved in synagogue activities, sang in the choir, led children`s services and attended Jewish youth clubs.

After his Bar Mitzvah he had little to do with the Synagogue, but in his twenties he spent time in Israel and improved his Hebrew and appreciation of the Jewish festivals and culture.

On moving to Milton Keynes over 25 years ago he joined MKDRS and soon became involved in teaching, wardening and leading services. Over the years he has held the posts of Chairman and Council member and has been Senior Warden on and off for over 10 years.

The role of wardening involves organising religious services and events together with our Rabbi and team of wardens. He was recently accepted as Jewish chaplain for both Bedford and Woodhill Prisons.

He enjoys studying Torah and all the wealth of Jewish literature. His other interests include country and hill walking, Tai Chi and politics.