Chief Rabbi praises ‘ultimate dream team’ at double induction

The Chief Rabbi and local dignitaries formally welcomed two senior rabbinical couples to a north London synagogue with a Kabbalat Shabbat service.

Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue’s Rabbi Marc and Rebbetzen Lisa Levene, and community Rabbi Luis and Rebbetzen Jodie Herszaft, were initiated with a service led by Chazan Avromi Freilich, attended by more than 500 members.

The shul welcomed around 1,000 members and guests for davening and the rabbinic inductions by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. Also in attendance were Mike Freer, Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, local rabbis and United Synagogue leaders.

The Chief Rabbi said he was “delighted to participate in the special Shabbat of celebration” and that with the two rabbinic couples and Chazan Avromi and Rochelle Freilich, the HGSS community “is blessed with the ultimate dream team!”

Rabbi Levene said: “The goal of a community is not simply a shared belief system, or proximity or interests, it runs much deeper than this. In our hearts we must feel united with our members, that we can be there to support every soul.”

Rebbetzen Lisa Levene said: “We are humbled by the outpouring of love we have received since our arrival and we accept the honoured role entrusted to us by Hashem to offer a life of service to the community of HGSS.”

Rabbi Luis Herszaft said: “Jodie and I are feel incredibly blessed to have been so warmly welcomed to this special community. Together with the Levenes and Freilichs, we can’t wait to play our part in the next chapter of HGSS.”

James Kaufmann, Chair of HGSS, said: “Shabbat represented the formal beginning of a new chapter at HGSS. Our rabbinic team is now complete. My wish is that their collective brilliance will bring much lustre to HGSS for many years to come.”

The event concluded with a celebratory musical havdalah and surprise video made by members of the community.