Lisa Olins
Lisa has lived in Pinner since November 1990 when she emigrated from the ‘Far East’ (Ilford) after marrying Andrew (who was born and brought up in Stanmore). Soon joined by two sons, Dominic and Toby, Lisa first became involved in our community when the boys joined the children’s services, cheder, cubs, scouts, BA, BBYO and so on. Lisa joined the Education Committee which supported the running of the cheder and has since served on the shul board and as a governor of Pinner Jewish Kindergarten.
In 2017 Lisa joined the Exec for the first time as vice-chair and, also, took up the then new role of Women’s Officer in May 2019. She has been chairman since May 2021, and whilst a challenging role, is always proud to say: “I am The Chair of Pinner!’
In another world, Lisa is a community pharmacist, currently managing a lovely pharmacy in Shenley, as well as representing community pharmacists in the local Primary Care Network, and volunteering as a Covid vaccinator. In her spare time (when she can find some) she loves to read, go to the theatre, cook, eat and socialise.
Jeffrey Samuels
Jeffrey spent his formative years commuting between Golders Green and Camden Town in an attempt to obtain an education (he was always grateful that the JFS had relocated from Bell Lane).
When he came to Pinner at the turn of the millennium, it was very much a homecoming for him. His home patch had egressed from a pleasant suburb and a liberal Jewish neighbourhood into an urban conurbation and more prescriptive but ironically more cosmopolitan habitat. Pinner’s rural setting and non-judgemental approach allowed for more intense individual personal development.
For a decade, he consolidated blending his family, which has now grown to 13 step-grandchildren, aged 21 -1, whilst passively supporting the community by attending davening and social and cultural events. For a year in this period, he contributed the weekly Dvar Torah to the parsha sheet and many years after preparing its DT rota.
In his first term as warden, he gained invaluable experience from colleagues, who had extensive and diverse expertise of the community and its evolution. He is now privileged to work with a team so committed to perpetuating its ethos, each bringing to the table their expertise and different perspectives that have made the Jewish Community at Pinner Shul so passionate.
Dee Beth
Dee grew up in Cricklewood and attended WalmLane shul. She married Mervyn in 1973 and moved to Kenton. Dee went to school in Harrow and always wanted to live in Pinner – in 1987 her dream came true when they moved and joined Pinner Shul
Dee and Mervyn are blessed to have three sons, three daughters in law and six grandchildren, four girls and two boys. Dee and Mervyn have been on the rota for running services at The Princess Alexandra Home (now Anita Dorfman) for about nine years – Dee has also been in the Girl Guide movement for 52 years in various roles.
Dee is a qualified accountant and has run her own company since 1986 and she also now offers her services and knowledge as an external Finance Director. Her hobbies include cooking, entertaining, theatre, ballet, travel and reading.
Martin Grossman
Martin and Penny came to Pinner in 1984 and rapidly became very active within the community.
Currently in his fourth period in office as a Warden, Martin has been a Shul Council/Board Member for much of the intervening period. He loves the friendliness, absence of cliques and egalitarian ethos of the Community.
Martin is proud to have helped create an Executive Team including women to manage the Community, years ahead of such arrangements being sanctioned by the United Synagogue.
Professionally an electronics engineer, having held a variety of commercial roles in the electronics and communications markets, he currently helps companies to gain certification to ISO Management Standards.
Anne Erdunast
Anne joined the community nearly 20 years ago following her marriage to Howard. Having grown up happily within the United Synagogue at Norrice Lea, she was pleased to find a warm, welcoming community in Pinner where she could feel equally comfortable.
Anne’s Jewish identity has always been foremost, but another important aspect of her life is her work as a clinical scientist, currently part time in the Genetics Centre at Guy’s Hospital. This experience is great background for one of her volunteer roles as a screening advisor with Jnetics, which carries out screening for genetic defects common in the Jewish community.
Anne is passionate about singing and also plays netball with our own Pinups group; in her spare time she is trying to learn to play bridge.