Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue can today announce the appointment of Rabbi Sam and Rebbetzen Emma Taylor as their new Community Rabbi and Rebbetzen.
Rabbi Sam and Rebbetzen Emma will work across the community and will lead the Yavneh community in the south side of Borehamwood. In addition, Rebbetzen Taylor will take on the role of Community Educator on a part-time basis, developing the community’s women’s education initiatives.
Rabbi Taylor, originally from Stanmore, currently serves as the Community Rabbi at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue where he oversees programming including publications, outreach and interfaith work. Rabbi Taylor graduated from the Cass Business School with a BSc in Management before attending Yeshiva University where he received his Rabbinic Ordination and an MA in Jewish Education. He also has a Graduate Certificate in Non-profit Management from Harvard University. In addition to his role at Western Marble Arch, Rabbi Taylor is the Young US Rabbi at the United Synagogue and the Jewish Chaplain at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Emma Taylor, originally from Belmont, is the Community Rebbetzen at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue and teaches History at Hasmonean High School, having previously taught at Beis Yaakov High School. Emma, a graduate of Chief Rabbi Mirvis’ Ma’ayan women’s leadership programme, is a popular Torah educator. Emma attended Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalyim (MMY) in Jerusalem, then earned a BA in History at Kings College London and was awarded an MA in Education and Special Education at Touro College in New York. Furthermore, Emma is a certified teacher in both the UK and USA. Emma will be continuing her work at Hasmonean while supporting the community part time.
Rabbi Sam and Emma have 4 children. The Taylor family hope to take up their new position in early August.
Simon Mitchell, Chair of Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue, said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Rabbi Sam and Rebbetzen Emma Taylor as our new Community Rabbi and Rebbetzen. Throughout the selection process we were incredibly impressed with the vision, passion and energy both Rabbi Sam and Emma will bring to the role. As leading educators and experts in communal programming they have demonstrated warmth, sincerity, leadership, creativity and empathy which will serve our community well. Combining their talents with those of Rabbi Alex and Eva Chapper and Rabbi Finn will realise our vision of a world class Rabbinic team to lead our amazing community.
“I pay thanks to the Rabbinic Selection Committee, led so ably by Simon Berman, for their commitment and dedication over the last year as we appointed both Rabbi Alex and Eva Chapper and now Rabbi Sam and Emma Taylor. I would also like to thank Rabbi Finn and Rabbi Garber for their continued and invaluable support for our community. This is a significant milestone in the life of our community, and I am sure we are now well positioned to reach even greater heights as a community.”
Rabbi Alex Chapper, Senior Rabbi of Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue, said:
“Eva and I are delighted at the appointment of Rabbi and Rebbetzen Taylor. We are confident they will be a huge asset to the Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue rabbinic team and we are excited to work with them for the success of our community. We wish them much hatzlacha in their new role.”
Rabbi Sam Taylor said:
“Our family has been blessed with six wonderful years at Western Marble Arch and we will very much miss the people we have been privileged to work with. At the same time, we are absolutely thrilled to be joining Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue supporting Yavneh and the wider Borehamwood and Elstree kehilla. We can’t wait to play a role in the development of one of Anglo-Jewry’s most exciting and forward-thinking communities.”
Rebbetzen Emma Taylor added:
“I feel truly honoured to have been appointed to this new role in the largest United Synagogue community. Education is of the upmost importance and I look forward to increasing learning opportunities for all, but especially for women, in the Borehamwood and Elstree area.”
