Our team are caring and skilled professionals, dedicated to their work and committed to the ethos of Schonfeld Square

Meet Our Team

Ita Symons MBE

Founder / President Read More

Chaya portrait image

Chaya Spitz MBA OBE

Chief Executive Read More

Leora Basalian

Director of Care Service Read More

Kate Kulczyk

Home Manager Read More

Binu Varghese

Clinical Lead Read More

Freda Lipszyc

Supported Housing Manager Read More

Hindi Pesach

Social Programme Coordinator / Admissions Officer Read More

Mrs. Ruth
Kahan

Fradel Lodge Warden Read More

Mimo
Kermiche

Chef Read More

Magdalena
Musial

Domestic Supervisor / Procurement Read More

Rabbi Naphtali
Tiefenbrun

Rabbi Read More

Ita Symons MBE

Founder / President Mrs Symons is the founder of Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) and Schonfeld Square Homes. She led the organisation from its establishment in 1981 until 2020, and her extraordinary devotion and care for Schonfeld’s residents shaped the Home’s character.  Her ethos continues to permeate the values of Schonfeld Square Homes.  In 1996 Mrs Symons was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for her pioneering Services to Housing. Today Mrs Symons serves as President of AIHA.  She continues to play an active role at Schonfeld and is cherished by residents.

Ita Symons MBE

Founder / President
Mrs Symons is the founder of Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) and Schonfeld Square Homes. She led the organisation from its establishment in 1981 until 2020, and her extraordinary devotion and care for Schonfeld’s residents shaped the Home’s character.  Her ethos continues to permeate the values of Schonfeld Square Homes.  In 1996 Mrs Symons was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for her pioneering Services to Housing. Today Mrs Symons serves as President of AIHA.  She continues to play an active role at Schonfeld and is cherished by residents.

Chaya Spitz MBA OBE

Chief Executive Mrs Spitz is the Chief Executive of Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA), the charity that operates Schonfeld Square Homes. She joined AIHA in September 2021.
Mrs Spitz’s experience of the care sector comes from 25 years at the Interlink Foundation, the membership body for Orthodox Jewish community organisations. In the course of her leadership at Interlink, she had wide ranging experience of developing community services and working with statutory adult care services. Mrs Spitz has an MBA from the Open University and was awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to the British Jewish community.

Chaya Spitz MBA OBE

Chief Executive
Mrs Spitz is the Chief Executive of Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA), the charity that operates Schonfeld Square Homes. She joined AIHA in September 2021.
Mrs Spitz’s experience of the care sector comes from 25 years at the Interlink Foundation, the membership body for Orthodox Jewish community organisations. In the course of her leadership at Interlink, she had wide ranging experience of developing community services and working with statutory adult care services. Mrs Spitz has an MBA from the Open University and was awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to the British Jewish community.

Leora Basalian

Director of Care Services Leora joined the organisation in 2008 and has been part of Schonfeld’s management team for over 12 years. She has fulfilled a number of roles during her time with the organisation and at the end of 2021 took on the role as Director of Care Services with overall responsibility for the Care Home and AIHA’s other supported living schemes.

Leora is passionate and committed to achieving the highest standards of care for all service users.
She has an in depth knowledge of the Health & Social Care sector, and initiated in Schonfeld the usage of technological innovation to enhance services.
Leora is also the organisations Investors In People accreditation lead and was instrumental in AIHA being awarded Employer of the Year in November 2019.

Leora Basalian

Director of Care Service
Leora joined the organisation in 2008 and has been part of Schonfeld’s management team for over 12 years. She has fulfilled a number of roles during her time with the organisation and at the end of 2021 took on the role as Director of Care Services with overall responsibility for the Care Home and AIHA’s other supported living schemes.

Leora is passionate and committed to achieving the highest standards of care for all service users.
She has an in depth knowledge of the Health & Social Care sector, and initiated in Schonfeld the usage of technological innovation to enhance services.
Leora is also the organisations Investors In People accreditation lead and was instrumental in AIHA being awarded Employer of the Year in November 2019.

Kate Kulczyk

Home Manager Kate joined Schonfeld Square in September 2023 as the Home Manager for Beis Pinchos. She has been a registered nurse for over 20 years’, and has extensive experience in geriatric nursing. Kate is passionate about improving integrated community care with focus on person centred care enabling and empowering people to have the best quality life. She is committed to deliver the high standards of care Beis Pinchos strives for.

Kate Kulczyk

Home Manager
Kate joined Schonfeld Square in September 2023 as the Home Manager for Beis Pinchos. She has been a registered nurse for over 20 years’, and has extensive experience in geriatric nursing. Kate is passionate about improving integrated community care with focus on person centred care enabling and empowering people to have the best quality life. She is committed to deliver the high standards of care Beis Pinchos strives for.

Binu Varghese

Care Manager Binu Varghese joined Schonfeld Square in September 2014, starting as a deputy manager. She is the registered manager of Beis Pinchos since December 2014.
She completed nursing in India working in critical care settings before moving to the UK. She has worked in the care sector since 2007 and is very passionate about elderly care and worked in different settings including nursing and dementia care homes.
At present she is working towards Masters in nursing, training to be an Advance Clinical Practitioner with City University. Once completed, Beis Pinchos care home will be pioneering ACP program in the care home sector.

Binu Varghese

Care Manager
Binu Varghese joined Schonfeld Square in September 2014, starting as a deputy manager. She is the registered manager of Beis Pinchos since December 2014.
She completed nursing in India working in critical care settings before moving to the UK. She has worked in the care sector since 2007 and is very passionate about elderly care and worked in different settings including nursing and dementia care homes.
At present she is working towards Masters in nursing, training to be an Advance Clinical Practitioner with City University. Once completed, Beis Pinchos care home will be pioneering ACP program in the care home sector

Freda Lipszyc RGN RSCN

Supported Housing Manager Freda has been working in Schonfeld Square since its inception. Initially as a nurse, then as Care Manager, and as Supported Housing manager. She is a registered general nurse and has extensive knowledge and experience in geriatric nursing and mental health.

Freda is responsible for ensuring all tenants are safely housed in appropriate accommodation. She is dedicated to ensuring that tenants receive person centred support they on every level. She makes certain that the staff are of the highest calibre and that they are suitably trained to provide support to all clients.

Freda Lipszyc RGN RSCN

Supported Housing Manager
Freda has been working in Schonfeld Square since its inception. Initially as a nurse, then as Care Manager, and as Supported Housing manager. She is a registered general nurse and has extensive knowledge and experiencing in geriatric nursing and mental health.

Freda is responsible for ensuring all tenants are safely housed in appropriate accommodation. She is dedicated to ensuring that tenants receive person centred support they on every level. She makes certain that the staff are of the highest calibre and that they are suitably trained to provide support to all clients.

Hindi Pesach

Social Programme Coordinator / Admissions Officer Born in Israel to Holocaust refugees and later educated in England, her first job involved visiting potential residents, discussing options and filling in forms as required. She heads the Claims Conference office at Schonfeld Square negotiating funds for Survivors residing in the Home and the wider area. Mrs Pesach commenced her role soon after Schonfeld Square opened. Her ongoing development of this role has resulted in lively social activities that are legendary for their originality, suitability, versatility and interest. Daily there are at least 4 different educational and leisure programmes on offer, organising singers, speakers, artists, tea parties and outings. She enhances the Shabbos atmosphere with items such as visitors, flowers, challah baking and Shiurim. This rich social programme is exemplar, with other settings following her lead. Mrs Pesach has received training in Health & Safety and First Aid and has attended lectures on specialised care-related fields. She is the in-house photographer and brings a sense of fun to the residents. She lives in the Square and is therefore a focus for enquiries, advice and help when required. Hindi is also the admissions officer and will liaise with families and authorities to arrange smooth transition to the Care Home. She will be the one to welcome new residents with warmth and kindness.

Hindi Pesach

Social Programme Coordinator / Admissions Officer

Born in Israel to Holocaust refugees and later educated in England, her first job involved visiting potential residents, discussing options and filling in forms as required. She heads the Claims Conference office at Schonfeld Square negotiating funds for Survivors residing in the Home and the wider area. Mrs Pesach commenced her role soon after Schonfeld Square opened. Her ongoing development of this role has resulted in lively social activities that are legendary for their originality, suitability, versatility and interest. Daily there are at least 4 different educational and leisure programmes on offer, organising singers, speakers, artists, tea parties and outings. She enhances the Shabbos atmosphere with items such as visitors, flowers, challah baking and Shiurim. This rich social programme is exemplar, with other settings following her lead. Mrs Pesach has received training in Health & Safety and First Aid and has attended lectures on specialised care-related fields. She is the in-house photographer and brings a sense of fun to the residents. She lives in the Square and is therefore a focus for enquiries, advice and help when required. Hindi is also the admissions officer and will liaise with families and authorities to arrange smooth transition to the Care Home. She will be the one to welcome new residents with warmth and kindness.

Mrs Ruth Kahan

Fradel Lodge Warden Mrs Kahan is the Warden at Fradel Lodge. Her responsibilities include providing support to tenants and liaising with external multidisciplinary teams. Mrs Kahan is resourceful and energetic in supporting tenants and achieving great outcomes. She has been a loyal member of staff since 1998.

Mrs Ruth Kahan

Fradel Lodge Warden
Mrs Kahan is the Warden at Fradel Lodge. Her responsibilities include providing support to tenants and liaising with external multidisciplinary teams. Mrs Kahan is resourceful and energetic in supporting tenants and achieving great outcomes. She has been a loyal member of staff since 1998.

Mimo Kermiche

Chef Mimo joined the organisation in November 2009 as a Chef Assistant and was promoted to Chef in 2014. He joined Schonfeld after working 7 years at the Normandie Hotel in Bournemouth. He graduated from Bournemouth College with credentials in baking, cooking and food preparation and has since received awards from City & Guilds and other entities. He has experience in the Jewish catering scene since 2001. He liaises with Kosher Authority Rabbis, meeting regularly with them to ensure high standards of Kashrut are met. An expert in both French and Kosher cuisine, Mimo displays creativity and flexibility in building recipes to suit all tastes. Mimo and his kitchen team have maintained a constant 5 star food hygiene rating at Schonfeld Square.

Mimo Kermiche

Chef
Mimo joined the organisation in November 2009 as a Chef Assistant and was promoted to Chef in 2014. He joined Schonfeld after working 7 years at the Normandie Hotel in Bournemouth. He graduated from Bournemouth College with credentials in baking, cooking and food preparation and has since received awards from City & Guilds and other entities. He has experience in the Jewish catering scene since 2001. He liaises with Kosher Authority Rabbis, meeting regularly with them to ensure high standards of Kashrut are met. An expert in both French and Kosher cuisine, Mimo displays creativity and flexibility in building recipes to suit all tastes. Mimo and his kitchen team have maintained a constant 5 star food hygiene rating at Schonfeld Square.

Magdalena Musial

Domestic Supervisor / Procurement Magda joined Schonfeld in 2005. She was promoted from domestic cleaner to supervisor in 2009 and has been responsible for procurement since 2015. Magda is responsible for maintaining Schonfeld Square’s high environmental standards.

Magdalena Musial

Domestic Supervisor / Procurement
Magda joined Schonfeld in 2005. She was promoted from domestic cleaner to supervisor in 2009 and has been responsible for procurement since 2015. Magda is responsible for maintaining Schonfeld Square’s high environmental standards.

Rabbi Naphtali Tiefenbrun

Rabbi Rabbi Tiefenbrun is the in house Rabbi at Schonfeld Square. He has been part of the team for over 13 years. He visits daily and participates in the minyanim and assists the residents and tenants with their religious needs. He exudes reassurance, warmth and compassion. Rabbi Tiefenbrun is also a Reverend at the US Hackney and East London Synagogue.

Rabbi Naphtali Tiefenbrun

Rabbi
Rabbi Tiefenbrun is the in house Rabbi at Schonfeld Square. He has been part of the team for over 13 years. He visits daily and participates in the minyanim and assists the residents and tenants with their religious needs. He exudes reassurance, warmth and compassion. Rabbi Tiefenbrun is also a Reverend at the US Hackney and East London Synagogue.