Hundreds celebrate induction of the Cohens in Mill Hill East

More than 200 people attended Mill Hill East Jewish Community to celebrate Rabbi Jack and Rivka Cohen’s official induction by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis.

Guests at the induction included Michael Goldstein, President of the United Synagogue, Matthew Offord MP, Anne Clarke from Barnet Council and Deputy Mayor Tony Vourou. Also in attendance was David Pinto Duschinsky (Labour parliamentary candidate).

Rabbi Jack Cohen, previously Associate Rabbi at Hampstead United Synagogue, grew up in Mill Hill and after studying for his degree in Philosophy at UCL, went on to Yeshivat Har Etzion for five years where he received Smicha (Rabbinic ordination) from Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon, on the Mizrachi Musmachim programme.

Rivka is a Software Developer at Entertainment Partners. She has a degree in Maths and Philosophy from King’s College London. She grew up in Hendon and has spent time learning in both Nishmat and Midreshet Moriah Seminaries in Israel.

The couple have two children, Itzik and Yoni.

Rabbi Jack said: “Rivka and I are delighted to have joined Mill Hill East Jewish Community. We look forward to harnessing the passion and volunteerism that the community has in spades, sharing Torah wisdom and, together, continuing to build a flourishing, vibrant community to be proud of.”

Co-Chair of the shul Chloe Prager said: “Since joining Mill Hill East in February, the Cohens have hit the ground running. Rabbi Jack has initiated many new and exciting ways of sharing Torah with the community and Rivka has already established a popular new ‘Hachnasat Orchim’ (hospitality) programme. We are delighted that the Cohens have joined Mill Hill East and look forward to seeing our young community continue to thrive and represent the best of Modern Orthodoxy under their Rabbinic leadership.”