United Synagogue announces new rabbinic leadership

The Rabbinic Council of the United Synagogue (RCUS) and the Rebbetzens Representatives of the United Synagogue (RRUS) have announced new leadership teams following recent elections.

Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, the senior rabbi of Bushey United Synagogue, has been elected the new chair of the Rabbinic Council of the United Synagogue. He replaces Woodside Park’s senior rabbi, Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch, who is stepping down after serving four years as chair of RCUS.

Also elected as vice-chairs of RCUS are Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue’s Rabbi Marc Levene, Central Synagogue’s Rabbi Barry Lerer, Woodford Forest United Synagogue’s Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg and Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue’s Rabbi Alex Chapper.

Rabbi Elchonon Feldman said: “I am humbled by this opportunity to serve the rabbinate, which has been so good to me and my family. I am blessed to be part of a great team, and I look forward to working closely with professional colleagues to uphold the gold standard of rabbinic dedication of which the United Synagogue is rightfully proud. I thank Rabbi Hackenbroch for his dedication and leadership over the last four years.”

RCUS is the professional association of the United Synagogue rabbinate. Its key objective is to support and promote the well-being and success of rabbis and their families within their local communities and across the United Synagogue as a whole.

Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch, the outgoing chair of RCUS, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead RCUS over the past four years, working closely with the United Synagogue’s trustees, directors and Centre for Rabbinic Excellence.

“Together, we have forged our shared vision for the United Synagogue community, led by our outstanding rabbonim and rebbetzens. I am delighted to leave RCUS in the more-than-capable hands of my successor, Rabbi Feldman, who I am confident will continue to build on our collective achievements.”

Bushey United Synagogue’s senior rebbetzen, Jacqueline Feldman, and Borehamwood and Elstree’s senior rebbetzen, Eva Chapper, are the new co-chairs of RRUS. Rebbetzen Feldman was elected chair of RRUS in 2022, when RRUS was formed and is continuing as co-chair.

Making up the RRUS committee are St John’s Wood’s Rebbetzen Chai Cohen, Radlett’s Rebbetzen Shira Kett, Golders Green’s Rebbetzen Dr Haddasah Fromson, Highgate’s Rebbetzen Shuli Liss, Woodford Forest’s Rebbetzen Blima Wollenberg and Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield’s Rebbetzen Racheli Herszaft.

RRUS was formed to build a community of rebbetzens, with the vision of creating a network of connection and support for rebbetzens across the United Synagogue.

In a joint statement, Rebbetzen Feldman and Rebbetzen Chapper said: “We are honoured to now be serving as co-chairs of RRUS, and we are excited to continue building on the strong foundations that have already been laid. We extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to those stepping down from their roles.”