‘Judaism in its finest form’: Chief Rabbi affixes mezuzah on Hatzola HBS cabin
Rabbinical seal of approval for volunteer first responders and dispatchers helping save lives across Hadley Wood, Barnet and Southgate
In his role as patron of Hatzola HBS (Hadley Wood, Barnet, Southgate), Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis this week symbolically fixed a mezuzah to the cabin of the community’s life-saving emergency response service.
The volunteer-run unit received care quality commission approval on 23 July 2025 and has already grown to more than 65 trained volunteers, made up of male and female first responders and dispatchers.
They are advised by Rabbi Akiva Rosenblatt at Hampstead Synagogue and Rabbi Toby Weiniger of Hadley Wood United Synagogue, together with other local rabbonim – Rabbi Lister of Barnet United Synagogue and Rabbi Shindler of Cockfosters & North Southgate Synagogue, under the guidance of Dayan Zobin at London Beth Din.
The cabin, donated by community members Lucy and David Wernick, stores essential medical equipment to support Hatzola HBS in delivering rapid professional pre-hospital care across the area.
The two Hatzola HBS ambulances were fundraised for by the local community, and their team of responders are equipped with AEDs, (Automated External Defibrillator) oxygen, ECG machines, trauma dressings and other specialist medical equipment.
Hatzola HBS founder Jacky Epstein, who campaigned for the emergency initiative after two friends passed away nearly four years ago when an ambulance was unable to reach them in time, said: “We are so grateful for the support of the local community, without whom we could not have got this service off the ground. It is thanks to their continued support and to all of our volunteer responders and dispatchers that we can to keep this life-saving service running seven days a week.”
Inviting more volunteers to come forward to train, she added: “Our volunteers tell us that it is a privilege to serve the community in this way and to do this life-saving work is such an incredibly rewarding experience.”
Addressing the guests, Chief Rabbi Mirvis described the event as “very moving” and “incredibly inspiring”, praising the Hatzola HBS volunteers for being “so motivated” and having “such a passion for helping other people.”
He added: “It’s not just a small amount of help – it’s genuinely saving lives. This is an enormous tribute to the participating communities and to the volunteers themselves – it is a kiddush Hashem and is Judaism in its finest form, and our communities are privileged to be guided by the Rabbonim and Rebetzens of this area.”
One member of the community, whose parent was supported by the emergency service, said, “I can’t thank the team at Hatzola HBS enough. They were so professional, kind and caring to my mother and knew exactly what to do when we needed help. It is incredibly reassuring and comforting to know that our community is served by an organisation who can provide a rapid emergency response service.”
- Working alongside the NHS and national emergency services, Hatzola HBS responds to all calls —Jewish and non-Jewish alike— 7AM-11PM, 7 days a week.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
