The Rabbinic Council of the United Synagogue (RCUS) has held its annual conference for the first time in three years because of the pandemic. The gathering, held at Hendon United Synagogue, brought together more than 100 United Synagogue Rabbis and Rebbetzens for a day of learning, training and discussion.
The Chief Rabbi delivered a keynote address, thanking rabbis and rebbetzens for their extraordinary efforts and devotion during two challenging years of the pandemic. The Chief Rabbi encouraged the spiritual leaders to find new ways to engage their members while staying true to religious tradition.
The conference welcomed the launch of two new initiatives. The Centre for Rabbinic Excellence will provide United Synagogue Rabbis and Rebbetzens with ongoing professional development opportunities. The vision of the Centre is to raise the profile of the United Synagogue and its Rabbinate by creating outstanding leaders who motivate people to engage in their Judaism. Rabbi Nicky Liss, Senior Rabbi of Highgate United Synagogue, has been appointed the centre's first Director.
The newly-formed Rebbetzens' Representatives of the United Synagogue (RRUS) was launched at the conference in the presence of Rebbetzen Ruchie Ehrentreu and Lady Elaine Sacks. Working closely with RCUS and with the support of the Chief Rabbi and the London Beth Din, the group has been formed to build a community of Rebbetzens, connecting them to share ideas and support each other. Rebbetzen Jacqueline Feldman, Senior Rebbetzen of Bushey United Synagogue was elected chair of RRUS.
Sessions and break out groups offered rabbinic leaders the chance to learn about practical examples of complex scenarios which rabbinic couples face, engaging members post-pandemic, coping with the financial crisis and an in-depth look at the marriage authorisation process.
The evening dinner paid tribute to Rabbi Baruch and Rebbetzen Nechama Davis who are leaving Chigwell and Hainault United Synagogue to make aliya after 25 years of service. Guests were inspired by a talk from Kyiv-based Rabbi Raphael Rutman, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, who spoke about his organisation's rescue efforts providing food and supplies for Ukrainian Jews under fire from the Russian army and helping many leave the country.
Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch, Chair of the Rabbinic Council of the United Synagogue, told us: "We were thrilled to be able to welcome so many of our Rabbis and Rebbetzens to our annual conference. Our communities continue to face challenges post-pandemic and coming together in person gave everyone much chizuk, strength, to be able to take our important work forward as we seek to engage and inspire our members wherever they are."
To read more about the conference and the new initiatives, click here.
