ByJay Grenby, Jay Grenby
The 1,500-member Edgware United Synagogue is looking for a full-time assistant minister to provide support for Rabbi David Lister, who joined at the beginning of the year.
As well as helping Rabbi Lister in his day-to-day pastoral work, the new recruit would be expected to develop student and adult-education programmes and, in conjunction with Tribe, take responsibility for the synagogue’s various youth programmes.
“After Rabbi Lister arrived, we reviewed our needs in relation to our religious staff, and perceived that he required a full-time assistant,” Edgware chair Stephen Jacobson explained. “Our rabbi has a very demanding role, and it became obvious that with our membership, the job was too much for one man to do on his own.”
A recent influx of young Jewish families to Edgware, allied to the impact made by “our new dynamic rabbi”, had attracted new members, he added.
The creation of the assistant minister’s post, which has the backing of the United Synagogue, will mean the abolition of community director Rabbi Steven Gaffin’s role from the end of September.
“Rabbi Gaffin has been very successful and has made a valuable contribution to our community,” Mr Jacobson said. “However, he is only part-time, which is not enough. Of course, he is eligible to apply for the new post.” Rabbi Gaffin declined to comment.