Kenton Synagogue
Son of the late Reverend Sidney Black, a popular and long-serving minister of Ilford Synagogue, Rabbi Black has been at Kenton for almost four years. Since receiving semicha in Montreal in 1987, he has also served the Staines and Newcastle upon Tyne congregations. He and his French wife Yehudit have seven children ranging from new-born to 14
Tell us about a typical week at the synagogue
The weeks vary quite drastically. The constant is that I am very busy. Up early every morning for shacharit, I deliver a sermon and a number of shiurim on Shabbat and weekdays on a range of topics. After the Shabbat service, there is a Shabbat Kodesh programme to which I contribute. I also usually make pastoral visits to hospital and individuals at home.
Tell us what you like most about your role
I think it is the interaction and friendships one makes which I like most about being a community rabbi, and the fact that we can make a difference in people’s lives. With the Kenton community’s help, we have produced three books: commentaries on High Holy Days, Shabbat prayers and a Pesach Haggadah.
What do you do in your spare time?
I spend a good deal of my free time with my wife and children, helping with homework and other tasks and playing games with them. I also like to study and read. We love to go out to Hampstead Heath and Kenwood for good, healthy walks. We also all play table-tennis religiously. However, we’re not all that good at it.
Tell us how you define your Judaism
Judaism means to me the whole person, all the time, in any place.