New North London Synagogue has decided not to dismiss a rabbi who labelled Israeli politicians “war criminals” despite calls to remove Rabbi Lara Haft Yom-Tov from office.

At least 130 members of the Masorti synagogue in Finchley, north-west London, had called for the rabbi to resign after the comments were published in April.

In a letter to members sent on Saturday evening, the co chair and co chief executive said the NNLS Council had “voted unanimously not to dismiss Rabbi Lara” following a disciplinary process.

Writing ahead of the shul’s extraordinary general meeting, the executives told members a “disciplinary process did, however, lead to a finding of serious misconduct.”

Last month the JC reported that some members resigned from the flagship shul over the rabbi’s controversial essay.

However NNLS CEO Louise Froggett told the JC: “No members have resigned specifically over the issue.”

Rabbi Lara Haft Yom-Tov apologised for the comments made in a “Justice-oriented" haggadah supplement.

In the essay, entitled “let all who are hungry come and eat”, Rabbi Yom-Tov wrote: “The same war criminals who have forced Palestinian families to flee their homes will lift up their matzah and wax poetic about the Israelites’ rush to escape Egypt.”

Yom-Tov also wrote: “The same politicians who have manufactured a famine in Gaza, leading millions to the brink of starvation, will proudly declare: ‘Let all who are hungry come and eat’.”

Following calls to resign, the rabbi told NNLS members: “I apologise for using the term ‘war criminals’. I recognise that through my words, I’ve caused pain to many members of our community and damaged our relationship. I missed the mark and I’m sorry.”

Rabbi Lara has the option to appeal the decision made by the Council.

In a message to NNLS members about the decision, senior Masorti Rabbi, Jonathan Wittenberg, said he wanted to acknowledge the “deep hurt experienced by many as a result of the publication by Rabbi Lara Haft Yom-Tov’s of an article in a Haggadah supplement.”

He wrote: “I respect that hurt, especially when felt by those with close ties with the families of hostages, friends and relatives killed or injured, and soldiers risking their lives. It is not my role to be detailed; the synagogue has followed its relevant processes and will share its findings as appropriate.”

There have been calls from members of NNLS for Rabbi Lara Haft Yom-Tov to resign from the shul after controversial comments made in a Haggadah supplement (Photo: Masorti)

He said he wanted to remind members of Rabbi Lara’s public apology.

Adding: “I’m aware of Rabbi Lara’s deep personal ties with Israel and with friends wounded both physically and emotionally. I appreciate, alongside many others, the energy Rabbi Lara has bought to the rabbinic team, and value Rabbi Lara’s knowledge and enthusiasm which have inspired lots of people. It is not the Jewish way to ignore such an apology, especially when made in public.”

Rabbi Yom-Tov joined NNLS two years ago and is part of an outreach team working with young adults in one of the UK’s biggest synagogues.

When the essay drew controversy last month, the chair and co-CEOs of NNLS, together with Rabbi Wittenberg and Rabbi Zahavit Shalev, sent an email to synagogue members distancing themselves from Rabbi Yom-Tov’s comments.

The leaders wrote: “This article does not reflect our views, those of the community or of Masorti Judaism, and our rabbis and leadership were not made aware of it in advance of publication, as they should have been.”

Originally from Washington DC, the rabbi moved to Israel in 2018 before coming to London.

While a student rabbi, Yom-Tov was listed as part of the Rabbinical Council for the controversial anti-Zionist group, Jewish Voice for Peace, and has written in favour of defunding the police.