New rabbis bring ‘energy and talent’ to one of UK's largest shuls

One of the country’s largest synagogues, New North London, has appointed two American-born rabbis to strengthen its clerical team.

Rabbis Lara Haft Yom-Tov and Yael Jaffe will give three-quarters of their time to the Finchley community, while working for the Masorti movement for the rest of the week.

They join Senior Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and Rabbi Zahavit Shalev at NNLS, as well as Rabbi Chaim Weiner, who is head of the European Masorti Beit Din.

Announcing the appointments, a spokesperson for the synagogue said: “Nearly doubling our rabbinic team in one stroke is both bold and exciting.”

Originally from Washington, Rabbi Haft Yom-Tov, who identifies as non-binary, is a student at Beit Midrash Har-El in Israel and is currently involved in a project to make Talmud teaching more accessible.

“The first time I visited NNLS, I was touched by the welcoming, thoughtful community,” they said, adding: “It’s a congregation of kind people, who come together for meaningful projects, whether they are praying together, sharing meals, supporting refugees or learning Torah.”

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Rabbi Yael Jaffe (Photo: Handout)

“It’s an honour to join the team and I’m excited to get to know everyone in the community.”