Hendon United Synagogue has announced that Rabbi Jonny and Chana Hughes will be its new Associate Rabbi and Rebbetzen. The couple will be working alongside Senior Rabbi and Rebbetzen Ginsbury to enhance educational and social programming in the community with a specific focus upon young professionals and families.
Rabbi Jonny will also hold Tribe’s first ever rabbinic position at JFS as the Tribe/JFS coordinator, working alongside the JFS Jewish Informal Education Programme (JIEP). His role will involve working closely with the students and attending the many Tribe events that the pupils participate in whilst building a closer and mutually beneficial relationship between JFS and Tribe.
On hearing the news of his appointment, Rabbi Hughes said:
“We feel truly privileged to be part of one of the most dynamic and vibrant Jewish communities in the UK. We are eagerly looking forward to making a unique and lasting contribution and will relish the tremendous opportunities to be found in Hendon. This is the place to be right now!”
“I am also thrilled to be part of the amazing team that is Tribe. The new role at JFS promises to be genuinely groundbreaking.”
Currently in Israel, Rabbi Jonny teaches at a number of Yeshivot and Seminaries. With a law degree from UCL, his talents also extend to songwriting with two albums to his name, as well as previously being on the books at both Swindon Town and Reading Football Club Academies. Rabbi Jonny is currently putting the finishing touches to his second book, ‘Understanding Reb Elchonon’. His first book, ‘Understanding Reb Chaim’ – a translation and interpretation of the writings of Reb Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik, has been widely acclaimed.
London born Rebbetzen Chana was educated at Hasmonean Girls School and also studied at Gateshead Seminary. She has taught at a number of Jewish schools in London and Seminaries in Israel. Alreadywith a teaching degree from King’s College London, Chana is currently studying for her second degree in psychology. Working as a graphic designer, she is also a dedicated mother to three young children .At Hendon United Synagogue, Chana will be working with the community’s young women, mothers and families on a number of educational and social activities.
Taking up their new posts at the beginning of September, the Hendon United Synagogue Community is looking forward to warmly receiving its new Associate Rabbinic team.
Daniel Rose, Vice Chairman of Hendon, who led the recruitment process together with Rabbi Ginsbury and US professionals from the Community Development Department, said:
“We are delighted to be welcoming Rabbi Jonny and Rebbetzen Chana Hughes to our community. With their range of skills, enthusiasm and passion for Jewish living and learning, we very much look forward to them building on the fine work of their predecessors Rabbi Leo and Rebbetzen Lucy Dee. Rabbi and Rebbetzen Hughes will play a key role in engaging with our Community’s significantly increasing number of young professionals, families and children. We believe that in appointing Rabbi and Rebbetzen Hughes, we are giving our Community further opportunity to develop its provision of dynamic religious, educational, cultural and social activities under the inspirational leadership of Rabbi and Rebbetzen Ginsbury. This appointment is the next stage in the planned growth of our Community following the opening of the new Hardman Wing including a refurbished beit midrash and multi-purpose hall. We are grateful to the US Community Development Department for its valued support in helping us to make this vital appointment.”
Rabbi Ginsbury commented:
“Rabbi Jonny and Rebbetzen Chana Hughes are an exceptionally talented and engaging young Rabbinic couple. Their warmth, vitality, good humour and intelligence shone through at every stage of the selection process. Both my wife, Judy, and I look forward to working closely with them and the dedicated lay leadership team in ensuring that our Shul will continue to be a source of light and inspiration to its members, the Hendon Jewish Community and the United Synagogue as a whole. “
Avi Friedmann, Programmes Manager for Tribe / Living & Learning said:
“This is an exciting time for us here at Tribe and in the US Living and Learning department. We are proud to Welcome Rabbi Jonny Hughes into our team to provide support at JFS and to reinforce the US message of Living, Learning and Caring and a fun authentic, inclusive and modern Jewish environment.”
