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Registered number: 02448795
Charity number: 1000784
THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
CONTENTS
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Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers
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Independent examiner's report
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Statement of financial activities
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Notes to the financial statements
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
Company registered number
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Charity registered number
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14th Floor
33 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0PW
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David Pumfrey FCA
Simmons Gainsford Professional Services Limited
14th Floor, 33 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0PW
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Barclays Bank PLC
1 Churchill Place
London
E14 5HP
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Company for the year 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The Littman Library of Jewish Civilisation exists to publish books within the field of Jewish studies, to prepare and manufacture these books to the highest editorial and production standards and to market them as effectively as possible throughout the world. All the books published are scholarly works which explain and perpetuate the Jewish heritage. Following its established guidelines, the Littman Library publishes works of scholarship that reflect objectivity, fresh research and new insight. The Library also publishes translations of Hebrew classics so as to make the Jewish religious and literary heritage more accessible to English-speaking readers. In addition it publishes academic works from Hebrew and other languages which reflect new research in the subject.
The directors consider that the publishing of books within the field of Jewish studies complies with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
b. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives
The Littman Library of Jewish Civilisation remain in an agreement with Liverpool University Press whereby Liverpool University Press would market and sell the Library's publications and pay a royalty of 60% back to the Library which is recognised in the Library's statement of financial activity as income. Ownership of the stock of books remains with the Library until such time as Liverpool University Press complete the sale.
Achievements and performance
a. Main achievements of the Company
During the year, Liverpool University Press made book sales in respect of which the Library received royalties of £97,133 (2024: £78,409), which was an increase of 24% when compared to the prior year. On a commercial basis, and as a reflection of its charitable objectives, the Library runs at a significant trading loss and is therefore dependent upon donations received, both in terms of sponsorship for specific books and other general donations, and in particular from The Second J.A. Littman Foundation.
The intention is to continue to publish books that when presented to the Library are considered to expand knowledge on a particular aspect of the remit of the Library where it is felt that a gap exists.
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
Achievements and performance (continued)
b. Investment policy and performance
The Charity aims to keep sufficient working capital to fund one years worth of activities. All surpluses are held in short-term deposit accounts.
Financial review
a. Reserves policy
The unrestricted funds are used to support the aims and objectives of the charity.
At the balance sheet date the Company has total unrestricted reserves to be carried forward of £271,200 (2024: £280,889). However, of this amount £218,350 (2024: £217,974) is funding current stock and work in progress which leaves true liquid assets of £52,850 (2024: £62,915) which, in the opinion of the directors, is not sufficient to allow the continued operation of the Company without the reliance on donations from The Second J.A. Littman Foundation, a charity of which Mrs. C.C. Littman and Mrs J. K. Littman, directors of this company, are Trustees. During the year £45,000 was received from this source (2024: £105,000).
In light of the above dependence, the trustees have deemed that sufficient unrestricted reserves should be accumulated and maintained so that should the donations received from The Second J.A. Littman Foundation cease, the Company will be able to continue operating, albeit in a reduced capacity, for a period of at least one year.
At 30 April 2025, the required total level of reserves to achieve this would have been circa £300,000 (2024: £333,000), a shortfall of circa £29,000 (2024: £52,000).
The restricted funds are to be used to support the publication of a particular book. At the balance sheet date the company has total restricted reserves to be carried forward at a deficit of £13,359 (2024: £13,799 surplus).
b. Going concern
The Trustees have reviewed the circumstances of The Littman Library of Jewish Civilisation and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund activities of the Charity for the foreseeable future. The Trustees have taken this view as the Charity's principal donor has indicated that it will continue to provide the necessary support.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The Littman Library of Jewish Civilisation is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Trust deed on the 4 December 1989 and is a registered charity number 1000784.
The Directors/Trustees that served during the year were:
- Mrs C.C. Littman
- Mrs J.K. Littman
- Mr C.M. Littman (appointed 23 October 2024)
- Professor J. Schonfield
- Professor M.D. Goodman
- Mr T. Salamon (resigned 14 July 2024)
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
Structure, governance and management (continued)
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the Company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.
The trustees meet regularly to review the Charity's performance and make strategic decisions. The day to day running of the Charity has been subcontracted on a long term basis to relevant area specialists.
c. Related party relationships
The Second J.A. Littman Foundation, a charity in which Mrs C.C. Littman and Mrs J. K. Littman are common trustees is a related party.
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
∙observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Small company provisions
Since the Company qualifies under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director's Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The Littman Library of Jewish Civilisation ('the Company')
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I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 April 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
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As the Trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
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I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: 11 December 2025
David Pumfrey FCA
Simmons Gainsford Professional Services Limited
14th Floor, 33 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0PW
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
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Total funds brought forward
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Total funds carried forward
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The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
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The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
REGISTERED NUMBER: 02448795
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30 APRIL 2025
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Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
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The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
1.Accounting policies
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Basis of preparation of financial statements
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The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The Littman Library of Jewish Civilisation meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The company is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the company.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
The Trustees have reviewed the circumstances of The Littman Library of Jewish Civilisation and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund activities of the Charity for the foreseeable future. The Trustees have taken this view as the Charities principal donor has indicated that it will continue to provide the necessary support.
All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
1.Accounting policies (continued)
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the company's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the company apportioned to charitable activities.
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
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Liabilities and provisions
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Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
The Company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
1.Accounting policies (continued)
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date.
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.
Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of financial activities.
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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Incoming resources from charitable activities
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
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Incoming resources from charitable activities (continued)
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Analysis of expenditure by activities
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Activities undertaken directly
2025
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Editorial and proof reading
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Publicity and advertising
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
4.Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
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Analysis of support costs
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(Profit)/Loss on foreign exchange
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Independent examiners' fees
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Bank interest and charges
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Trustees' remuneration and expenses
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During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL), benefits in kind
(2024 - £NIL), or reimbursement of expenses (2024 - £NIL).
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Finished goods and goods for resale
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
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Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
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Accruals and deferred income
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Statement of funds - current year
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Balance at 30 April 2025
£
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The Rhetoric of Jewish Prayer Fund
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THE LITTMAN LIBRARY OF JEWISH CIVILISATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
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Statement of funds (continued)
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Statement of funds - prior year
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Balance at
30 April 2024
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Restricted Funds - all funds
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Restricted funds
Previously the charity received a donation of £35,971 with the condition that these funds can only be used for costs that relate to the production of the book 'The Rhetoric of Jewish Prayer Fund'. During the year, costs of £27,158 (2024: £10,172) have been incurred. At 30 April 2025, the fund balance was overdrawn by £13,359 which was cleared by a further donation of £14,410 received post year end.
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Related party transactions
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During the year the charity received donations of £45,000 (2024: £105,000) from The Second J.A. Littman Foundation, a charity in which Mrs C.C. Littman and Mrs J.K. Littman are common trustees.
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