Hadley Wood Jewish Community

The Jewish Chronicle, 11 October 1974

Formation of Hadley Wood 74 WIZO group.

The Jewish Chronicle, 20 July 1979

A new Reform Community has been formed in the Barnet/Hadley Wood area of North London. The initial meeting, which was attended by over thirty people, took place in Hadley Wood and was presided over by the chairman of the congregational development committee of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, Mr Larry Ross.

The Jewish Chronicle, 9 June 1989

Breakaway move?
A new Friday night service in Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire, could presage a breakaway from the Cockfosters and North(sic) Southgate Synagogue, according to the shul's secretary. Fifty people attended the first service, led by Rabbi Yisroel Fine, at the home of Tony Brooks last Friday evening. Synagogue secretary, Martin Wechsler, said: "It could develop into a breakaway from this synagogue, but that could take a number of years. We have 70 families in the Hadley Wood area, and for some it takes over an hour to walk to shul."

The Jewish Chronicle, 23 June 1989

Sirs,
We would like to correct your article in LONDON EXTRA (June 9) headed "Breakaway move?" which reported that the Hadley Wood area could breakaway from the Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue by starting regular Friday evening services. Please note that this has all been arranged by the honorary officers of the synagogue. A coffee evening was organised in Hadley Wood three weeks ago, attended by approximately 50 people to explore the possibility of holding such services and was met with a great deal of support. Consequently, Friday night services were started two weeks ago. The fact that the first one was conducted by Rabbi Yisroel Fine, who is the minister of Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue, would hardly suggest a breakaway. Services are held every Friday evening at 7.30 pm throughout the summer, and families are welcome.
H. MIRSKY, A. ISRAEL, S. BRUMMER, Honorary officers,
Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue,
Old Farm Avenue, Southgate, London N14.

The Jewish Chronicle, 27 October 1995

Cockfosters and N Southgate Synagogue, Old Farm Avenue, N14.... are pleased to announce the establishment of a new MONTHLY SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE IN HADLEY WOOD COMMENCING NOVEMBER 4 AT 9.30AM AT 64 CAMLET WAY AND THEREAFTER ON THE FIRST SHABBAT OF EACH MONTH. Children's Service and Kiddush provided. All welcome.

The Jewish Chronicle, 17 November 1995

Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue has extended its communal range with a satellite Shabbat service in a member's home in Hadley Wood, near Barnet. Stephen Pack, the synagogue's financial representative, and his wife, Cheryl, hosted the first service and provided a kiddush. It attracted over 100 people, including Progressives. "We are just testing the waters, But it exceeded all our expectations," said Cockfosters minister, Rabbi Yisroel Fine. Cockfosters has a membership of 1,300 families in a widely spread area. With the main shul in Southgate, it already operates a second Shabbat service in a hall in Cockfosters. It runs three Friday night services, with the third in Arnos Grove. "We want to involve young people and create a community spirit," Rabbi Fine explained.

The Jewish Chronicle, 6 September 1996

The Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue is expanding into Hadley Wood, with its first High Holy-day services in a local primary school. Rabbi Yisroel Fine said: "Up to now, there have been monthly services in a private house with attendances reaching 120," he said. "There are many young families with children at Hillel primary school and this is an opportunity to have something on their doorstep. "There are also many non-affiliated and Reform members in the area," he said. Rabbi Fine sees the new local High Holy-days services as the nucleus of a new satellite congregation for Cockfosters. "This is the way forward for large communities. We have a membership of some 1,200 families. Satellite communities will keep the intimacy and informality of smaller communities." Venue for the first Rosh Hashana service was Hadley Wood Primary School, Courtleigh Avenue.

The Jewish Chronicle, 2 March 2001

Report that Hadley Wood minyan held its "first social event".

The Jewish Chronicle, 3 February 2003

United Synagogue's community assets manager, Neville Goldschneider, "currently helping Hadley Wood develop as a satellite of Cockfosters Synagogue."

The Jewish Chronicle, 5 November 2005

One of the leading projects of the US Community Development Group is to nurture the growing community at Hadley Wood.

The Jewish Chronicle, 28 March 2008

For the 100 families who make up the Hadley Wood Jewish community, an offshoot of the Cockfosters and North Southgate United Synagogue, the Hachnasat Sefer Torah ceremony which marked the inauguration and dedication of the congregation's new scroll was a landmark event. The occasion was made all the more special for the community by the first visit to Hadley Wood of the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, who was among those who completed the writing of the scroll's final letters. the scroll was presented to the congregation by Bonnie Brooks in memory of her husband, Tony. Mr Brooks was instrumental in the founding of the community, and had been co-chairman at the time of his untimely death just over two years ago. It was at the Brooks' home that the minyan had held its first Friday evening service 18 years ago, for the benefit of those local residents who wished to attend Shabbat services but did not want to do the three-mile walk to Cockfosters. Some 12 years later, the Hadley Wood congregation had grown to the extent that it was able to acquire a permanent home in Lancaster Avenue, as well as its own minister, Rabbi Zvi Wanderer. After the 300-strong procession had sung and danced its way through the streets of Hadley Wood to the shul, the Sefer Torah was welcomed to its new home by Rabbi Wanderer, before being introduced to the community by Tony Brooks' son, David, and formally received by the Chief Rabbi together with Rabbi Yisroel Fine, minister of the minyan's Cockfosters parent. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Rabbi expressed his astonishment at how far the community had come in such a short space of time, before paying tribute to Tony Brooks' work — not just for the Hadley Wood community but also for other communal bodies. Other speakers included Rabbi Fine and Hadley Wood’s chair, Mitchel Lenson, as well as Mrs Brooks.

The Jewish Chronicle, 9 September 2009

Advert for part time Rabbi and Rebbetzin - salary includes free accommodation.
Hadley Wood Jewish Community is a growing satellite community of Cockfosters & N Southgate United Synagogue (CNSS) which started in members' houses almost 20 years ago and now comprises around 80 families. It is approximately 6 miles from Hendon and 3 miles from Southgate with 2 kosher butchers, a deli and Wolfson Hillel School within 2-3 miles.

The Jewish Chronicle, 14 May 2010

Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum is Cockfosters and North Southgate synagogue's new assistant rabbi with principal responsibility for its Hadley Wood satellite congregation. The former Hasmonean pupil succeeds Rabbi Zvi Wanderer, who left to develop his career as an educator. Rabbi Birnbaum studied at yeshivot in the UK and Israel, where he gained his semichah. He also has a law degree from the Open University and was last year a member of the United Synagogue's rabbinic interns programme. With his wife Elisheva, a qualified occupational therapist, and their three young children, Rabbi Birnbaum has taken up residence in the Lancaster Road premises which also serve as a shul for the 100-strong Hadley Wood community. He says one of his first tasks will be to start a Friday night service. "As a first-time rabbinical post, we can think of no better place," he said. "There are exciting times ahead for Hadley Wood and we look forward to working together with the community in encouraging its continued growth and development."

The Jewish Chronicle, 11 February 2011

One-hundred Hadley Wood Jewish Community members packed its Lancaster Road shul for one of the most important days in its 20-year history - the induction by the Chief Rabbi of minister Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum. With joint chairs Michael Singer and Rochelle Collins presiding, the London Beth Din’s Dayan Yonason Abraham congratulated Rabbi Birnbaum and his wife Elisheva on joining "a community that has developed from a few members to more than 80 families in just 20 years". Hadley Wood is a satellite of Cockfosters Synagogue, whose minister Rabbi Yisroel Fine hailed rabbi Birnbaum as "a model of the new United Synagogue rabbi, a man of substance with the ability to communicate". London-born Rabbi Birnbaum was appointed to Hadley Wood as his first rabbinical post last May. Raised in Kingsbury, he attended Hasmonean before studying at yeshivot in the UK and Israel. He holds a law degree from the Open University. Mrs Collins said the rabbi had already made an impact by expanding educational and social activities, adding: "a more caring and compassionate community would be hard to find". Lord Sacks identified wisdom and charm among his key qualities. Responding, Rabbi Birnbaum thanked his wife and family for their encouragement and support. He expressed a wish to reach out to young families, whether current congregants or potential members.

The Jewish Chronicle, 14 December 2012

The United Synagogue has welcomed its newest community, Hadley Wood, which has become independent after operating for 17 years as a satellite of Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue. Hadley Wood vice-chairman John Melchior — a brother of former Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Rabbi Michael Melchior — said it was "a natural progression, like a child who has grown up. We’re ready to try things on our own." Congregation chair Mike Singer added that Hadley Wood had "a wonderful combination of community, friendship and support". Now with 90 families, the community held its first service in 1995 at the home of the current US president, Stephen Pack.

The Jewish Chronicle, 12 April 2013

One of the youngest shuls to join the United Synagogue as a full member has launched an app as a means of keeping congregants in touch with its activities. The 104-family Hadley Wood Jewish Community - until December a satellite congregation of Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue - hopes the app will keep users abreast of news and information, such as service times. It was created by congregant, Laurie Slavin, who by his own admission, is "no techno-whizz but a chartered accountant and the wrong side of 50". HWJC chair Mike Singer said: "Over recent months we have noticed that our new members are getting younger. And as a new shul, we are keen to let people know who we are and what we offer."

The Jewish Chronicle, 16 May 2014

Part time Finance Administrator required for Cockfosters and N Southgate United Synagogue and Hadley Wood Jewish Community, based in Cockfosters, 22.5 hrs in total p.w. To view the job description and apply for this position please log onto our website: wwwtheus.org.uk/vacancies. Closing date: May 27, 2014.

The Jewish Chronicle, 16 January 2015

An attempt by one of the United Synagogue's newest communities, Hadley Wood, to extend its premises is being blocked by Enfield Council. The congregation started as a satellite of Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue in 1990, becoming a fully fledged US member 10 years ago. Since 2002, congregants have gathered in the ground floor of a house purchased as a meeting place. Its first rabbi, who arrived in 2003, lived upstairs. In 2013, a planning application was submitted to Enfield for a front and rear extension. This was withdrawn after the community was told it required a "certificate of lawful development" to officially register the property's change of use. To acquire a certificate, Hadley Wood had to prove that the building had been used primarily for religious gatherings for at least 10 years. But the council ruled in autumn that the community had not produced sufficient evidence to support its application. The congregation has now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. Hadley Wood chairman John Melchior said that "a hearing is to be held in June at which we are very much hoping for a positive outcome". The congregation has 240 members.

The Jewish Chronicle, 22 January 2016

One of the United Synagogue's youngest communities has cleared a major obstacle to extending its premises after a protracted dispute with Enfield Council. Planning Inspector Gloria Macfarlane has granted Hadley Wood Synagogue formal permission to continue to meet in the house it bought in 2002 following an appeal hearing last year. The community began as a satellite of Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue in the 1990s and became a US member in its own right in 2012. It applied to the council for planning permission to extend the building three years ago. But it withdrew the application after being told that it first required a "lawful development certificate" to change the use of the building from a private home. The community argued that it had been holding services for at least 10 years previously, thus meeting the conditions for a certificate. The council countered that Hadley Wood had failed to produce sufficient evidence of use as a synagogue for that long. Ms Macfarlane ruled that although she could not grant the certificate for use as a synagogue, she could award it for "mixed use" as a residence and synagogue as that had been the case for more than 10 years. Although the community's rabbi, Yoni Birnbaum, and his family moved out of the four-bedroom property in 2013, the shul has a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen/living room to accommodate those who help with services. Hadley Wood chairman John Melchior said it was "a growing community with an extremely active rabbi. We have a nice little cheder. We are looking to expand and are meeting with the board to decide the next step." extending the building would still require planning permission from the council. Shabbat morning services now attract up to 60 people. Around 300 came on the High Holy-Days, when prayers were held at a different venue.

The Jewish Chronicle, 7 September 2018

Hadley Wood Jewish Community will celebrate Rosh Hashanah with the first services in its newly extended premises. The North London congregation has been worshipping in temporary accommodation for the past nine months during the £500,000 project. The building will formally reopen in November. Minister Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum said the 140 family congregation — established in 2013 as an offshoot of Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue - had been supportive during the project. The building had required a big change to make it fully fit for purpose. "Our aim is that this should be a space to include all the activities we've always dreamed of," Rabbi Birnbaum explained. "We were managing in a space that wasn't right for what we needed".

The Jewish Chronicle, 14 December 2018

Hadley Wood Jewish Community has celebrated the inauguration of its new synagogue and community centre, the culmination of five years of effort. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who affixed the first mezuzah, urged congregants to use the building to its fullest extent. Hadley Wood minister Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum explained that its motif was the pomegranate, reflecting the Talmudic tradition that Jews are as full of mitzvot as the seeds of the fruit. Paying tribute to those involved in the project, shul chair John Melchior said it was only the beginning in terms of Hadley Wood's development.

The Jewish Chronicle, 6 March 2020

Hadley Wood Jewish Community. Rabbinic Couple. Full time, 40 hours per week £32,000 - £38,000 per annum plus accommodation We’re looking for an inclusive, charismatic, and dynamic Rabbinic Couple to lead our special community. You will be joining a welcoming, intimate, and friendly environment, with one of the most active and engaged memberships in the United Synagogue. We benefit from outstanding, purpose-built, brand new facilities, and we’re proud that we have regular minyanim for every service on Shabbat, as well as a monthly Sunday morning service. You will inspire and lead religious, educational and pastoral aspects of our community. As Rabbi, you will be equally as comfortable leyning each week as running inspirational learning and cultural programmes; and you hold a Semicha acceptable to the Office of the Chief Rabbi. As Rebbetzen, you are a confident communicator and skilled community-builder with the ability to build positive relationships and have demonstrable leadership skills. Hadley Wood is located in beautiful countryside close to Barnet, just 20 minutes from Hendon, Edgware, and Borehamwood.

The Jewish Chronicle, 10 April 2020

Rabbi Yoni and Elisheva Birnbaum are leaving Hadley Wood United Synagogue in July after ten years with the congregation. They have not revealed their next destination other than to say they are taking up an "exciting opportunity". The community, which began as a satellite of the North Southgate and Cockfosters Synagogue, became an independent member of the US in 2012 and inaugurated its new building two years ago. Born in Kingsbury, Rabbi Birnbaum is a graduate of Gateshead and Ponevezh (Israel) yeshivahs. He has a law degree and a doctorate from University College London on inclusivism in Orthodoxy. Three years ago, he won a fellowship to study at Harvard and is the author of a study of rabbinic responses to science and modernity, Challenge and Continuity, published in 2017. Hadley Wood is advertising for a successor.

The Jewish Chronicle, 12 June 2020

Hadley Wood Jewish Community has a new ministerial couple, Rabbi Akiva and Batya Rosenblatt. Currently the assistant rabbinic couple at Woodside Park United Synagogue, they will join the North London congregation in August, their appointment having been comprehensively approved in a members' vote this week. The Merseyside-born rabbi (a Liverpool FC fan) was raised in North-West London and spent many years studying at prominent yeshivot. He is also a trained chazan and enjoys singing at wedding ceremonies. Mrs Rosenblatt hails from Manchester, where she taught Jewish studies at Broughton Jewish Primary after studying at Gateshead. When the couple moved to Israel after marriage, she attended the Shelem College of Complementary Medicine in Jerusalem, qualifying as a massage therapist and reflexologist and going on to establish a successful massage salon in the city. Earlier this year, the Rosenblatts graduated from the Rabbinic Training Academy, an 18-month leadership programme. They were recently appointed to the chaplaincy team of the Nightingale Hospital. Rabbi Rosenblatt said that although he and his wife would "miss the Woodside Park community tremendously", they were excited to be joining a "vibrant, dynamic and innovative" congregation. Hadley Wood chair, John Melchior, said that "through a very unusual lockdown interview process, the Rosenblatts shone through. We were convinced they possess all the qualities we were looking for to drive our wonderful community to further strength and engagement." The Rosenblatts are replacing Rabbi Yoni and Elisheva Birnbaum, who are leaving Hadley Wood after ten years to join the independent Toras Chaim in Hendon.

The Jewish Chronicle, 31 March 2022

Rosenblatt inducted at Hadley Wood
Rabbi Akiva Rosenblatt was recently inducted as Senior Rabbi at Hadley Wood Jewish Community. Rabbi Akiva and Rebbetzen Batya Rosenblatt joined the community 18 months ago. The formal induction had been delayed by the pandemic.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Dayan Menechem Gelley, US President Michael Goldstein, the Mayor of Enfield Sabri Ozaydin, rabbis, honorary officers and members of the community attended the induction.
Rabbi and Rebbetzen Rosenblatt thanked the community. "We are privileged to join this vibrant, fast growing community," they said. Firmer Hadley Wood Chair, John Melchior, commented "Despite joining during the lockdown, Rabbi and Rebbetzen Rosenblatt have made great strides in getting to know the community and are already proven to be a beloved and admired rabbinic couple.
Attendees heard various speakers, including former US president Stephen Pack and rabbinic selection committee head Catherine Lenson. The community's choir performed traditional songs including "You'll Never Walk Alone" for Liverpool fan Rabbi Rosenblatt.

The Jewish Chronicle, 30 June 2023

Article - "Hadley Wood rabbi goes from Zoom to boom" by Barry Toberman.