Pinner United Synagogue is delighted to announce the appointment of Rabbi Jason and Rebbetzen Elise Kleiman as their new rabbinic couple. The couple were overwhelmingly voted in on Sunday following a Shabbat spent with the community.
Rabbi and Rebbetzen Kleiman currently serve Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue in Leeds, having led the community there for nearly 20 years. Before moving to Leeds they held rabbinic roles in several other synagogues including Reading Hebrew Congregation, Catford & Bromley United Synagogue and Clayhall United Synagogue (now Cranbrook United Synagogue).
Leeds-born Rabbi Kleiman holds a BA in Theology and Religious Studies and received his Semicha from the late Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt’l when he graduated from Jews’ College in 1997. In addition to carrying out his duties in shul, Rabbi Kleiman is the School Chaplain and Rabbinic Governor both to the Leeds Jewish Free School and Brodetsky Jewish Primary School as well as Director of Education to the Leeds Jewish Education Authority. He is also one of the Jewish chaplains to the Leeds Hospitals NHS Trust and Honorary Chaplain to the 22nd North Leeds (Hillel) Scouts. Rabbi Kleiman has empowered and co-ordinated teams of rabbis, outreach workers, youth directors, lay leaders and other volunteers to build community through pastoral, educational and youth provision. He is also involved in interfaith work and was co-founder and a former Executive Member of the East London Three Faiths Forum and is currently an Executive Member of the Leeds Branch of the Council of Christians and Jews. He is a music lover, both in terms of listening to it and playing it (he plays guitar and piano) and won a national competition in the early 1980s for his knowledge of the Beatles!
A graduate in Business and Finance, Hull-born Rebbetzen Kleiman has previously worked as an accountant for Smith & Nephew pharmaceuticals and as a civil servant for The Intervention Board. Alongside her husband, Rebbetzen Kleiman has created warm and sociable environments in the communities in which she’s lived, both in shul and in their ‘open house’ where members have received the warmest of welcomes. Together with her husband, Rebbetzen Kleiman runs the community cheder for the Leeds Jewish Education Authority, having previously taught at the Brodetsky and Menorah primary schools. She loves country walks and solving puzzles such as Sudoku.
Lisa Olins, Chair of Pinner United Synagogue, said: “Following an extensive and thorough search for a rabbinic couple to follow Rabbi and Rebbetzen Kurzer, I am delighted that the Pinner Community voted overwhelmingly in favour of Rabbi Jason and Rebbetzen Elise Kleiman. During Shabbat Pinchas, members from all sections of our community, had an opportunity to hear from and speak to the Kleimans. I am very excited to welcome the Kleimans to Pinner in early 2025 and look forward to working with them for the enhancement of our wonderful community.”
Rabbi and Rebbetzen Kleiman said: “After nineteen and a half years in Leeds at the Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue for which we have a very deep affinity, a move to a new community would have been tremendously daunting were it not for the infectiously warm and welcoming reception we experienced when visiting Pinner Shul. We embrace the opportunity to lead such a vibrant congregation, alongside so many inspirational members who actively contribute to all aspects of shul life. Building on the principles of “Inspire, Care, Connect” articulated by our predecessors Rabbi and Rebbetzen Kurzer, we are passionate about reaching out to the entire Pinner Jewish community and look forward to enhancing each person’s connection to their faith, their community and the State of Israel.”
The Kleimans replace Rabbi Ben and Rebbetzen Abi Kurzer who moved to become the Senior Rabbinic Couple at Golders Green United Synagogue in May. The Kleimans are expected to take up their roles in early 2025. They have three adult sons.
31 July 2024
