Council Leader greets special group of volunteers (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Council Leader greets special group of volunteers

August 14, 2009 12:00 AM

From left to right Linda Rodham (Council Registrar), Shafique Sheikh (Volunteer Registrar for the Muslim Community), Linda Shulman (Volunteer Registrar for the Jewish Community), Cllr Richard Brett , Susan Cohen (Volunteer Registrar for the Jewish Community) and Helen McHugh (Council Registrar).

Leader of Council Richard Brett paid a visit to volunteers who work tirelessly to support their communities.

Cllr Brett met with the volunteers to thank them for all their hard work as well as to discuss the challenges of their job.

Three volunteers who work with the Registrar's Office were congratulated for their hard work and dedication. The volunteers work evenings, weekends and bank holidays to provide administrative, clerical and emotional support to families in the Muslim and Jewish communities when relatives have died. They are depended upon to ensure that the deceased are buried the same day according to the laws of their respective religions.

The volunteers are given the same training as registrars. Each community deals with on average one family death a week.

Cllr Brett said:

"These volunteers provide an invaluable service to the people in the Jewish and Muslim communities of Leeds. As a city we are extremely privileged to have people who volunteer in this area. This is not something that is available all over the country."

Susan Cohen, volunteer deputy registrar for the Jewish community said:

"Our communities are relying on us. We are the first point of contact for families. We deal with everything from funeral arrangements to any legal problems and issue the paperwork which allows the burials of the deceased persons."

Linda Schulman, also a volunteer registrar for the Jewish Community added:

"People are very grateful for the work we do for Jewish people. The preparation and burial of the body are highly valued mitzvot. It is an act of kindness performed without ulterior motive, for the dead cannot repay this service."

Shafique Sheikh, volunteer deputy registrar for the Muslim community said:

"There is a lot of expectation on our shoulders. The process can take hours but we stay as long as necessary until everything is sorted. I also provide help and information to people outside Leeds."