St John’s Wood Synagogue appoints new senior rabbinic couple
'Exceptional leaders' Rabbi Mendel and Rebbetzen Chai Cohen join modern Orthodox community amidst 150th anniversary year celebrations
Rabbi Mendel and Rebbetzin Chai Cohen have been appointed as the next senior rabbinic couple of St John’s Wood and Saatchi Synagogue.
The couple were elected after members voted overwhelmingly in favour this week, after a six month recruitment search.
The Cohens have been part of the community’s rabbinic team since 2018, following eight successful years at The Saatchi Synagogue, located on the St John’s Wood Synagogue site. Together they grew Saatchi from a small, emerging minyan into a thriving community, and then played a key role in the merger with St John’s Wood Synagogue.
Rabbi Mendel grew up in Leeds, received his rabbinic ordination from the Machon Smicha Lerabanut and has a Master’s degree in Jewish Education at LSJS.
Rebbetzin Chai grew up in Seattle and is also the director of the St John’s Wood kindergarten and the Mimi Dwek Hebrew School. She also runs the St John’s Wood Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme.
The couple, who have seven children, take up their new roles in March, following the retirement of Dayan Ivan and Rebbetzin Rachie Binstock who have served the St John’s Wood community for 30 years.
Michael Abraham, chair of St John’s Wood Synagogue, said: “I am delighted with this appointment, which represents both continuity and renewal for St John’s Wood Synagogue. Rabbi and Rebbetzin Cohen are exceptional leaders with a proven ability to build community and to inspire and connect across generations. Their values and experience align perfectly with our mission and future direction.”
Rabbi Mendel Cohen said: “We are deeply grateful to the Saatchi community for believing in us sixteen years ago, and thankful to the members of St John’s Wood for placing their trust in us as we look to the future together – building on a proud legacy with warmth, responsibility, and shared purpose. We also pay tribute to Dayan and Rebbetzin Rachie Binstock, whose dignified leadership and guidance have meant so much to us over the years.”
Outgoing Dayan Ivan and Rebbetzin Rachie Binstock added: “We are delighted for Rabbi Mendel and Rebbetzin Chai Cohen on their appointment. They have already given many years of devoted service to the St John’s Wood community, and we have every confidence that they will bring energy, innovation, and dedication to this important and challenging role.
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