Highams Park & Chingford Synagogue
OUR SYNAGOGUE
Our Synagogue has recently celebrated its 80th birthday and following our upgrade to becoming a full member of the US, the Shul has been handed its greatest opportunity in recent years to really grow as a community.
As evident in the photos, our shul has a very traditional décor and can comfortably seat more then 200 people. Our modern ‘Central Bimah’ style ensures a more inclusive style service as well as a great improvement in the Chazan’s sound projection to the ladies. The atmosphere in the shul during the service is always one of inclusiveness and warmth. Page numbers are often announced to help congregants keep in touch with the services.
Next door we have a large hall which can comfortably seat more than 100 people, complete with a nice high ceiling. This room is often used for our Kiddushim, events and simchos.
OUR CHAIRMAN
I started attending Highams Park & Chingford Synagogue in 2013 and became a member a couple of years later. I enjoy attending regularly and have got to know many people. Since Covid the services finish around 11.30 and so there is time at the kiddush to socialise with everybody. In 2023 I was approached to find out if I would be willing to become Chairman.
I have been involved with committees for most of my adult life and have had a number of similar positions with other organisations. Believing that if you want to effect change you have to be prepared to lead, I accepted. The synagogue is fortunate to have a group of like minded people on the Council and we work together to run the synagogue, ensuring the building is maintained, all religious services are run with decorum and we are offering social events too.
I think it is important to engage with all of our members and I am more than happy to chat to anyone who would like to contact me.
OUR RABBI
Rabbi Kahan was born in Ilford Essex where for the first 13 years of his life observed his father leading the East Ham Manor Park community before his retirement.
As a 16 year old Rabbi Kahan began his Yeshiva and Rabbinical education first in Manchester then in Gateshead before returning to his roots and taking Semicha at the Ilford Torah Centre.
Along the way, Rabbi Kahan met Ruth (one of 18!) who shared his vision of leading a community. They joined Highams Park and Chingford Synagogue in late 2004.
Alongside his role at HP&C, Rabbi Kahan is also acting as a Senior Rabbinical Inspector for the KLBD, while Ruth runs the administration at a Primary School, in her role as Office Manager and PA to the heads, in NW London.
The Kahan's have 9 lovely children of which 4 are married and are living in Israel, Manchester and Edgware.
'Bubba and Zeidah Kahan' also have 5 grandchildren while their youngest child is still only 5 year old!
The Rabbi and Ruth have always loved the sound of young families in the Shul at well as very much enjoy hosting young and old at their Shabbos table..
