Peter Gartenberg became Chairman of Kol Chai in 2010. He and his wife, Joanne, joined the Community in 1991. Peter served three years as Honorary Secretary, one as Joint Vice-Chairman and one as Joint Chairman before taking on the sole Chairman role. During his tenure he wants to bring to fruition a number of 'backroom' projects and see further reinvigoration of the Community, making it more attractive both to existing and new members. He also wants memorable and fitting celebrations of the Community's 25th anniversary in 2011 and to further improve links with neighbouring progressive Jewish communities.
A civil servant at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport since 1992, Peter is currently working in Finance, dealing with policy issues, the Audit Committee, efficiency drives and budget management. Previous roles covered Royal Parks, BBC licence fee, EU Presidency coordination, Tourism policy, trying to sell the Tote, National Lottery, Gambling and Better Regulation. However, he began his working life in the private sector, qualifying in the City as a chartered accountant with the then Coopers & Lybrand, having a spell in Zambia, moving to their new Uxbridge office and then into industry as Financial Manager for a client, Rexel Limited.
Peter and Joanne have a son, Alastair (reading Maths at Birmingham University – also keenly involved in RSY Netzer youth leadership) and daughter, Nicola (intending to read Politics next year). As for his hobbies, many are linked with Kol Chai: bridge, table tennis and attending other events of interest from walks to films to adult education. Aside from that he makes occasional trips to Goodison Park to see Everton play a wide range of standards of football.
