ByJay Grenby, Jay Grenby
Radlett Synagogue's first full-time youth director's post will be a job-share between long-time friends who will combine the appointment with their university studies.
Twenty-year-olds Ronen Gordon and Daniel Finn have both just completed gap years studying at yeshivah in Israel. Before that, they were leading lights in Bnei Akiva. Ronen will be taking medical studies at Barts, Daniel will study international politics at City University.
They start the Radlett post in September and will live in the shul-owned house next to the synagogue.
Their task will be to develop a full programme of youth activities for the community's estimated 800 children and teenagers. Their focus will primarily be the secondary school age group, although they will also take responsibility for services and clubs for younger children.
"We are really excited to be welcoming Ronen and Dan to our community," said Richard Harris, one of the board members responsible charged with children's and youth activities. "Trained by Tribe, they both come highly recommended by the United Synagogue's youth wing.
"They are full of new ideas and very enthusiastic, and we are optimistic that their appointment will invigorate the community's activities for our children and youth, both on Shabbat and weekdays."
Meanwhile, Radlett's neighbouring United Synagogue community in Borehamwood has also appointed a youth director to start in September. Former FZY chairman Doron Luder, from Chigwell, succeeds the popular Aryeh Richman, who is giving up the post after two years to take up a teaching position at Yavneh College. The new director has spent the last few years studying at yeshivah in Israel.
"Aryeh has done a terrific job for our youth," said Borehamwood's vice-chair Judy Woolf. "We are confident that Doron will be building on his success. In looking after the needs of our considerable numbers of youth, one of his principal aims will be to encourage the participation of those youngsters who are not yet involved."