(JHE) — Mazel tov to Katherine Findlay, who has been named Project Officer of the London-based Foundation for Jewish Heritage (FJH).
“The Foundation recently undertook a five year strategy review and the creation of a Project Officer position was one of the key recommendations arising from it,” the Foundation said in a statement. “The position will enable the Foundation to strengthen its capacity, developing its various current projects while expanding its work and impact in the Jewish heritage sector.”
The Foundation described Finlay, who is chair of Devon History Society, as “an experienced project manager with a particular interest in historic buildings, landscapes and archives” and who “has run engagement and conservation projects at sites ranging from Bronze Age hillforts to Second World War airfields.” These projects included “a number of historic places of worship including the 12th century St Nicholas Priory in Exeter.”
“Historic synagogues and Jewish cemeteries give us tangible connections to a hugely important aspect of European history, culture and memories, but many are at risk of disappearing,” Findlay said in a statement. “I’m very much looking forward to contributing to the vital work the Foundation does to conserve and revitalise these special places.”
According to the job description released by the Foundation when inviting applicants last year, the role of the Project Officer “is to work closely with the FJH Chief Executive in overseeing, developing and managing a diverse range of Jewish cultural heritage preservation initiatives in which FJH is currently involved, as well as projects the Foundation will take on in the future.”
It said a “significant responsibility will be to project manage a new project, which initially will involve overseeing a Feasibility Study for the opulent, historic grade II* listed Middle Street synagogue in Brighton. The synagogue is no longer in use and is situated in a Brighton city centre conservation area.”
Another key responsibility, it said, “will be assisting with the oversight of the FJH’s flagship project, the restoration of the synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales and turning it into a Welsh Jewish Heritage Center, from a ‘headquarters’ perspective (the project has its own Project Manager and team of consultants).“