The United Synagogue

Our President & Trustees

The Trustees of the United Synagogue are elected to take on overall responsibility for what is a large and complex charity. They serve for a three-year term. The current team assumed office in July 2011.

Irene Leeman - Women Representative

Irene has been a US Trustees Women’s Representative since 2010.
She grew up in the Mill Hill Community. After marrying Sidney and spending a couple of years in Israel, and in Golders Green, they moved to Kenton in 1975. They have two married children, Aviva who lives in London with husband Lee Lewis and baby Dexter, while Daniel, who is a rabbi, lives in Israel with his wife Esther Rochel and their four children .

In Kenton, Irene became active in communal work. As a member of Arad Wizo, she has organised the annual local Jewish Women’s Week campaign since 1982. She was one of the first women members of the Board of Management and served for many years. She was a Lady Executive Officer 1996-2000, and was Kenton’s first Vice-Chair 2003-6.

She was involved in the selection processes for appointing two of Kenton’s rabbis. Her main interest and love is Adult Education and she currently chairs a collaborative committee working across four local synagogues. She has experience with editing synagogue publications and with organising events. Irene represents Kenton Synagogue on US Council and in the past has been on the Board of Deputies, once representing Kenton and once representing AUSW.

She joined the Association of United Synagogue Women [AUSW] in the early 90s and was Treasurer, Vice-Chair and then Chairman from 2005-8. That organisation re-launched itself in 2009 as US Women, and Irene is Co-Chair. With the US Women Executive team she is involved directly with women’s issues, helping women to engage fully, and seeking opportunities for their leadership within the US and is working hard for a more inclusive community.

Irene is currently on the Bradfield Educational Leadership Programme at LSJS.
Irene has spent her career as an NHS dentist in both clinical and advisory capacities. She worked mainly with patients who have special needs. She has an MSc in Dental Public Health and does some postgraduate teaching. Now semi-retired, and with her continued passion for NHS health services, she is an elected governor for a London NHS Foundation Trust.

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