Senior rabbinic couple of St John’s Wood Synagogue to retire early next year

Dayan Ivan and Rebbetzin Rachie Binstock, the senior rabbinic couple of one of the United Synagogue’s oldest communities, St John’s Wood, have announced they will be retiring in February next year after 30 years’ service to the congregation.

Dayan Binstock will continue in his role as a part-time dayan of the London Beth Din.

In a message to the community, synagogue chair Michael Abraham and vice-chair Rosanna Burr said, “Their wisdom, warmth, and unwavering commitment have shaped St John's Wood Synagogue into the vibrant and welcoming congregation it is today.”

The couple had inspired “generations through their guidance, learning, and pastoral care. They have strengthened our connection t o Judaism, fostered an inclusive and dynamic environment, a n d enriched countless lives through their tireless efforts. Their leadership has made St Johns’ Wood a beacon of Jewish life within the United Synagogue of Jewish life within the United Synagogue and beyond.”

The Binstocks told congregants – who will celebrate the synagogue’s 150th anniversary in 2026 – said, “We are deeply proud of the warmth, vibrancy and inclusivity of our shul, blending its rich history with the excitement and dynamic of our international membership. Our magnificent synagogue has become a central hub for key events in the wider community, which we have been honoured to host.”

One of Dayan Binstoc’s area of expertise is in the liturgy of the United Synagogue, minhag Anglia, and he contributed an essay on Anglo-Jewish practice to the latest edition of the Singer’s Siddur,

Rebbetzin Binstock founded the US’s Marriage Enhancement Programme to train tutors for engaged couples, developed innovative bat mitzvah courses and other initiatives such as a Shavuot Tea-time Tikkun for women and a Women’s Kabbalat Shabbat which spread from St John’s Wood to other communities.

Meanwhile, the spiritual leaders of Western Marble Arch, an associate member of the United Synagogue, Rabbi Daniel Epstein and Rebbetzin Ilana Spitz Rebbetzin will be leaving at the end of the year to become the senior rabbinic couple of the Melbourne branch of Mizrachi, the religious Zionist movement.

Rabbi Epstein said it was an “incredible community opportunity” for the couple, who were scholars in residence for Melbourne Mizrachi just before Pesach.

Another US pulpit, at Hampstead Synagogue, will become vacant in a few weeks when Rabbi Dr Michael Harris, who is also a qualified dayan, will be making aliyah with his family.