Finchley Reform Synagogue appoints new Rabbi

Finchley Reform Synagogue’s clergy team, headed by Principal Rabbi Miriam Berger, has recently grown with the appointment of Rabbi Danny Newman on 3 August 2017. Danny studied at Leo Baeck College and takes up a full time rabbinic position at FRS after receiving semicha (Rabbinic Ordination) in July.

FRS Chair, Mike Salida, commented: “Our synagogue has experienced unprecedented growth in the last ten years, during which time our membership has increased by approximately 70%, and in order to continue to create exciting new programmes and opportunities for our membership, the time has come to expand our team. We are very excited that Danny has joined us. We expect that he will add another dimension to the spiritual, educational and pastoral work already carried out to such great effect by our existing rabbis and cantor and that he will add to the essence of what makes FRS the community we all love”.

Danny read Jewish Studies at Oxford University and was elected Chairperson of UJS. Prior to beginning his rabbinic studies at Leo Baeck College, he spent time studying at a yeshiva, training in psychotherapy and working as a corporate lawyer in the City of London. He is also the founder of HaMakom, a Jewish spirituality organisation that organises Jewish mindfulness meditation retreats.

Rabbi Miriam Berger remarked: “There is no single approach to Jewish life and therefore as a community we know we need to be creating the right Jewish experience for every individual. Welcoming Danny to our clergy team enables us to tailor our provision to give a more meaningful Jewish life to even more people”.