Here is the text of the letter Lucy Nuttgens, Sinai Chair, sent to all members following the outcome of the EGM on 1 December:
I would like to feed back on the EGM which took place yesterday. First of all, may I thank all those who contributed to the debate and to the respectful way it was handled. The meeting passed the motion for Sinai to adopt the MRJ’s statement on Zionism.
What does this mean for us as a synagogue? It means that we committed ourselves to working for peace in the Middle East; to encouraging moves to a two-state solution; to support Israel to continue to exist as a Jewish country which gives equal rights to all its citizens and to work to create democracy and equality for all in the area. We hope that there will be moves towards a peaceful end to the current conflict in the near future.
What it does not mean is that we will discriminate against any of our members who do not agree with this statement. Any Jew is entitled to be a member of Sinai. Any member is entitled to present themselves for election as a trustee. Any member is welcome to volunteer to work in helping the synagogue to function. This motion has no impact on the way we engage with Sinai as members.
At the same time as the EGM, we updated those present on the situation with the building. An application for Planning Permission has been submitted to Leeds City Council. This application has come from a new developer, MMR1 properties, who have taken over the project from Camstead Homes. I look forward to a positive six months up until the next AGM.
In addition, the trustees put out the following statement:
"Following the well attended EGM Sinai Synagogue has adopted the Movement for Reform Judaism's position on Zionism. The discussion exemplified again that Sinai remains a safe space in the Leeds Jewish community to have difficult conversations. The motion was discussed openly and with conviction on both sides. Most importantly, it was a machloket l'shem shamayim - an argument for the sake of heaven."