Our People

672571820 Rabbi Daniel Epstein

Rabbi Daniel Epstein has been serving the WMA community together with his wife, Ilana, since March 2021. Before that, they spent seven years at the Cockfosters & North Southgate United Synagogue. Rabbi Epstein is involved in interfaith dialogue, runs a successful adult Torah education programme, and works to raise awareness of mental health challenges in the Jewish community. He is a foundation governor of the 2,000-student JFS High School and is an educator on the Holocaust Educational Trust’s “Lessons from Auschwitz” programme. He holds a BSc (Hons) ARCS in Chemistry and Management Science from Imperial College London and he and Ilana have four children.

2277873584 Rebbetzen Ilana Epstein

Rebbetzen Ilana Epstein is one half of the senior rabbinic team at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue. She works within the community, giving two shiurim each week: on Parashat HaShavua and on Art History/Culture within Judaism, as well as providing pastoral care, primarily to the women of our community. Beyond the WMA community, Ilana is also Chief of Staff at the Jewish Futures Group – a collection of informal Jewish education organisations in the UK. Previously, Ilana worked for the United Synagogue on various marketing and publication projects, including the redesigning of the US’s Daf HaShavua from 4-page monochrome sheet to a full-colour weekly educational booklet.

4155896378 Chazan Simon Cohen

Chazan Simon Cohen is internationally renowned with the voice of an angel. He performs the world over in concert halls uplifting his audiences with his unique personality and energy.

He serves as visiting Chazan for WMA over the High Holidays and special Shabbatot during the year accompanied for the High Holydays by singers of the Israel National Opera Choir, and local choristers during the year.  

His superb tenor voice enchanted and uplifted the Tefilot of the Western Marble Arch congregation this year on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur bringing the congregants to a mix of emotions from tears to standing ovations. 

Chazan Simon started as a child soloist in the St Johns Wood Synagogue Choir under his Father Stanley Cohen z”l, graduated from the Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute in 2007. He officiated at Singers Hill Birmingham, Whitefield Manchester and then for 11 years at Mill Hill United Synagogue.

Born and educated in London into a musical family, he emigrated to Israel (Raanana) in 1994.
He is married to Nechama and has 3 children and two amazing grand-daughters.

To listen to some of the music we will be singing in the Shul click here.

www.CantorSimonCohen.com

1056064623 Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld
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.
332801190 Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

נפלה עטרת ראשינו
מורינו הרב יעקב צבי בן דוד אריה זצ״ל
RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS

Western Marble Arch Synagogue, the Western Charitable Foundation with Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld deeply mourn the untimely passing of our beloved spiritual leader and friend Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.

We wish long life to his wife Lady Elaine, son Joshua, daughters Dina and Gila and the extended family.

718294148 Gina Drew-Davis

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.