Rabbi Daniel and Batya Friedman say that 'through various conversations with the honorary officers, it has become increasingly clear that we have a different vision for the way forward'
July 29, 2021 14:52The rabbi of a major United Synagogue congregation, Hampstead Garden Suburb, is to leave after just three years in the role amid differences over the way forward for the community.
In an email to members, Rabbi Daniel and Batya Friedman wrote that it was with “great sadness” and “by mutual agreement” that they would be departing after the festivals.
Shortly after their arrival in summer 2018, the Manchester-born rabbi (who was raised in Sydney) and his wife described HGSS as “the perfect fit”.
But in their email, the Friedmans, who are in the mid-40s, explained why they felt it was time for them “to spread our wings”.
In the months before they came, the community had conducted a survey to find out why members had become disengaged from the synagogue.
“The results of that survey were presented to us and we were tasked with coming up with solutions that would resolve the issues of the community,” they wrote.
“Through various conversations with the honorary officers over the years, it has become increasingly clear to us that we have a different vision for the way forward, and we acknowledge the wisdom of those who have lived in and led this community far longer than we have.”
They added: “Consequently, we have decided that, after tirelessly putting communal needs before our own over the last two decades here and in Canada, it’s time to take a sabbatical to complete a doctoral dissertation.”
In an email to congregants, the synagogue’s officers said: “The rabbi and rabbanit have provided a significant contribution to our community. Many of their new initiatives have revolutionised how we, as a shul, keep in contact with our members, especially since the start of the pandemic.”
Wishing the Friedmans success “in wherever their journey takes them”, they added: “May the positive impact they have had on our community continue in all of their endeavours.
They assured members that plans for interim rabbinic support after the festivals were being put in place and a recruitment process had begun “with immediate effect”.