Jerry Goldstein

At his heart Jerry Goldstein was a man for the community and of the community. Not interested in being treated differently but just somebody who wanted to be part of the Kehilla

He was born on the 17th February 1940. The only child of Harold and Lilly Goldstein. His early life in Stepney Green left an indelible impression on him. His times at Stepney Jewish Primary School, Stepney Jewish Club and in the choir at East London Synagogue all determined what were to be the major influences on his life.

Following his marriage to Anne in 1962 and the birth of his three sons, Michael, Jonathan and Daniel, the family made their home in Beattyville Gardens, Barkingside, before moving to a Holcombe Road, Ilford and then to Chigwell.

In the 1970’s and 80’s Jerry was a man of constant action. His business based in Manningtree Street, Aldgate East was an incredible mix of business and family. He was the dynamic leader of a large business which provided for his entire extended family. The late 1960’s saw the move of Stepney Jewish Primary School to Ilford to become Ilford Jewish primary School. Anne and Jerry were central figures in this key local institution, where all three children and subsequently some of their grandchildren attended as pupils. Jerry was himself a governor of the school and his eldest son Michael went on to be involved in the establishment of the Jewish Secondary School, Kantor King Solomon, and Jonathan was instrumental in moving Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary School on to the joint site.

Jerry was a devoted member of Ilford United Synagogue in Beehive Lane during the 1970’s and 80’s and was pivotal to everything that happened in that shul which was the largest in Europe at that time. Since moving to Norrice Lea, the last twenty years or so saw a final phase of Jerry’s life. Once again immersing himself in the community, particularly running his beloved Chazanut concert, the rest of his time spent enjoying his family and dealing with his health.

It only seems fitting that the proceeds of this evening’s concert will be split between the two schools the family were so intrinsically linked to, in the community where Jerry had committed so much.