New North London recommends American rabbi as successor to Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
Finchley-based Masorti shul community has until 8 January to approve council's choice of Rabbi Danny Nevins
Internationally renowned rabbinic leader Rabbi Danny Nevins has been recommended to the 3,000+ members of New North London Synagogue as the candidate for its new senior rabbi.
New Jersey born Nevins was unanimously supported by both the recruitment steering group and synagogue council of the Finchley Masorti community following an extensive 11-month long search after Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, in post for 38 years, announced in December 2024 that he intended to retire.
Ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, Nevins holds an MA in Jewish studies from JTS and a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern history from Harvard University. He has led three Jewish organisations: Golda Och Academy in West Orange, New Jersey, as Head of School; JTS as Pearl Resnick Dean of the Rabbinical School; and Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, Michigan, as Senior Rabbi.
NNLS co-chairs, Vicky Fox and Mark Flenner, said: “We believe Rabbi Nevins brings a unique combination of outstanding leadership, great warmth and personability, intellect and curiosity, Jewish scholarship, deep and loving connection to Israel, experience of managing change, and commitment to the development of all our services and the diversity of our community. We are excited to recommend him to our community as the right candidate to guide NNLS’ through its next phase of life.”
In response, Rabbi Danny Nevins said: “I have been so deeply touched and impressed by the vitality, diversity, and warmth of New North London synagogue. I recognise this is a major moment of transition for this wonderful community – which is a leading light in the Masorti movement in the UK and across the world – and feel honoured and humbled to have received the support of the Senior Rabbi Recruitment Steering Group and Council.”
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg added: “I am thrilled that Rabbi Nevins has been recommended as Senior Rabbi. He had a wonderful reputation for caring deeply about the students when he was Dean of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
“He brings a love of learning and a deep commitment to traditional Judaism, together with an inspiring record of engaging in the issues of the day. He will be a brilliant leader of our great rabbinic team. It will be a privilege for me to learn from him and support his work in whatever ways may be appropriate. This is great news for the community I have loved and done my best to nurture over forty years.”
The Council’s decision will now be put to a vote of the community, which will close at midday on January 8th 2026.
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