North Hendon Adath Yisroel Synagogue
The rabbi serving the North Hendon community for six years was educated at Menorah Primary and Hasmo before studying for a computer science degree at Imperial College. Shortly after his finals he married his wife Soro and joined the Yeshivas Ma’alos Hatorah in Jerusalem to study for semicha. His wife, who is from Manchester, is a graduate of the Gateshead Seminary
Tell us about a typical week at the synagogue
Apart from the standard weekly shiurim and learning programmes that I either oversee, contribute to or run, I help and advise board members with the help of my two wardens. The shul has a great mix of young couples and older members. We have an active website and produce weekly newsletters. We also run many activities during the week, along with an active Yeshiva, and on Shabbat we have amazing programmes for children. We believe strongly in building the community from the bottom up, which means we now have programmes catering for as many people as we can accommodate. We have spent a lot more time recently focusing on women, with programmes such as an Oneg Shabbat and targeted shiurim.
Tell us what you like most about your role
The opportunity to encourage as many people as possible to come to our shul regardless of background or level of religiosity. I especially like it when people who have never been to our shul before, come inside and are welcomed by a warm and friendly membership. We are what you would call a “fun and friendly” serious shul.
What do you do in your spare time?
I am a very hands-on father both with the housework and especially with the children. I don’t think of myself as a modern “new” man, but put simply, my wife and myself manage responsibilities together. We do enjoy getting away for short breaks, but always with the children who are still at home with us. I am a keen hill walker and chess player.
Define your Judaism
Everyone’s Judaism is to live a life of purity as defined by our Torah.
