West London Synagogue has appointed a new associate rabbi, Emily Reitsma-Jurman, who has been serving the Edgware and Hendon Reform congregation.
West London chair Andrew Stone said she had been chosen from a range of candidates from across the world and would make “a significant contribution to our vision and future direction”.
Joint senior rabbis Helen Freeman and David Mitchell added that she looked forward in particular to working with families and younger members.
“Rabbi Emily has made a huge difference at Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue in her seven years there, especially with its religion school and through her creativity when leading informal services,” they noted.
While Rabbi Reitsma-Jurman said she would dearly miss the community and her colleagues at Edgware and Hendon, it was “time for a new challenge”. She looked forward to working with the West London senior rabbis, “whose leadership and vision for the future are truly exciting”.
Rabbis Neil Janes and Sybil Sheridan are leaving West London shortly. Rabbi Gershon Silins was appointed part-time interim rabbi earlier this year.
