One of the great strengths of Judaism through the ages has been that whenever Jews came together to pray, to study and to create charitable institutions, they formed synagogues, houses of study and chevrot (welfare organisations). They were often few in number and, at times, were poor, vulnerable and exposed to every passing wind of prejudice. But they stayed together helping one another and creating an astonishingly rich spiritual and cultural life. Through conviction and long practice, Jews have become the world’s experts in creating communities. Many of these people were volunteers, who gave of their time and of themselves for the benefit of others. This has always been the case within the United Synagogue – a family of communities whose very development is due to the efforts of its volunteers.
Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks