Rav Piny grew up in Stanmore, London and went on to study and teach for eight years at some of the most prestigious Yeshivot in Israel, gaining his semicha along with graduating from the Ner Le’elef Rabbinic training programme. He also holds a degree in business law as well as being a qualified and practising civil and commercial mediator and systemic practitioner in family therapy.

Prior to joining WMA Rav Piny was the senior Rabbi at Woodside Park Synagogue where he together with Gila played a pivotal role in the community’s growth and development into a young, vibrant and dynamic community with close to 1300 members. His sermons and talks and educational initiatives in particular were highly acclaimed, and he is a sought-after speaker.

Before joining WPS his first position was as the Rabbi of Newton Mearns Glasgow where he saw great success at creating community cohesion through his cross communal initiatives.

Whilst leading the Woodside Park community, he had the privilege of acting as Chair of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue ,as well as representing the Jewish community as part of the Barnet Multifaith Forum and Holocaust Educational Trust.

His main passion outside of his communal work is playing football and struggling to maintain his faith in his beloved Spurs!!

Contact Rav Piny at ravpiny@marlearch.org.uk / Mobile: 07976728350 / www.rabbihackenbroch.com

Prior to joining WMA, Gila in her role as Rebbetzen of Woodside Park Synagogue, was a highly popular speaker with both the ladies and teenage girls at Woodside Park and in the wider community. She is the founder of the highly acclaimed GPS of Jewish Education andlearning programmes. She played a leading role in the WPS Shabbat UK and many other high profile social programmes. Prior to this, Gila was Rebbetzen in Newton Mearns, Glasgow, where she created innovative programmes across the community, lectured for UJIA and was the liaison for the Glasgow Beth Din as well as working for Relate as a therapist.

In her professional life, Gila is a highly respected couples and family psychotherapist and international lecturer who works both in private practise and as a consultant for various charities and organisations.

Family Hackenbroch play an active and integral role in all aspects of communal life and are renowned for their open-door policy and being extremely approachable.

Contact Gila at gila@marblearch.org.uk / Mobile: 07916159503

Chazan Eitan Freilich is Resident Chazan at WMA.

One of the shining young stars of British Jewish music, he follows in a long tradition of innovative, joyful music at the Western Marble Arch synagogue.

Increasingly known across the UK for his inspiring synagogue services, Eitan is perhaps best recognised as one of the world’s most sought after simcha singers.  With three successful albums, numerous popular social media videos, and frequent performances in cities from Las Vegas to Venice, he has demonstrated his commitment to developing a style of music and simcha relevant and joyful for today’s Jewish world.

Inspired by his family’s rich Chazanut heritage, and his training under notable cantorial masters, Chazan Eitan has become celebrated for his unique blend of traditional Jewish liturgical music and contemporary melodies.

A graduate of the CASS Business School and Yeshivat Sha’alvim, Chazan Eitan is joined at WMA by his wonderful wife Gabriella, a qualified teacher who leads WMA’s childrens’ services, and  with their beautiful four children.

www.efmusic.co.uk

After studying at Shaalvim for Women Seminary in Israel, Gabriella earned a BA (Hons) in Jewish Education and went on to obtain Qualified Teacher Status. She has been teaching in formal education for over ten years and currently serves as Assistant SENCo at Hasmonean Primary School. Alongside her classroom experience, Gabriella brings extensive expertise in informal education, having led summer camps in America, Israel, and London, as well as working with youth organisations throughout the year. She also serves on the Board of the Education Committee for Shalom Noam Primary School.

At Western Marble Arch Synagogue, Gabriella co-chairs the Hebrew Sunday Cheder and oversees the programming for the children’s Shabbat Club. She also supports the Chazan in communal programming and regularly hosts members and visitors for Shabbat meals, helping create a warm and welcoming community.

Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld is Rabbi Emeritus at WMA.

We wish Rabbi Lionel and Natalie Rosenfeld Mazel Tov on their retirement.

Rabbi Lionel’s energy and passion for the community is only matched by his world-renowned voice. He is the fifth generation of a Jerusalem family of Rabbonim and Cantors, and is well respected for his composition of new Jewish music and performs at major events around the world with the Shabbaton Choir.

His long association with our community began when he served as our Chazan between 1988 and 1997 and returning as Rabbi in 2005. He is a passionate advocate for Israel, and with his wife Natalie, have four children and 14 grandchildren all living in Israel. The warmth and support that he and Natalie provide to all members of the community is shared with the many visitors who join us each Shabbat from all over the world.

Gina Drew Davis is our Administrator, and as such heads up the office of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue. She owned a Jewish Nursery for 25 years, is a former Governor of JFS and has been an Executive member/lay leader of several charities including Hope Charity, which she managed in the UK for 13 years. Gina is a valuable point of contact for all members and visitors to our community.