Bushey United Synagogue is one of the United Synagogues larger communities, based in Hertfordshire, with over 2,500 members
Rebbetzin Jacqueline and Rabbi Elchonon Feldman joined Bushey United Synagogue nearly nine years ago with their five children.
“Bushey has become our world” says Rabbi Feldman “It is where our wonderful inter-generational community comes together. We share lifecycle events and we celebrate Bushey Jewish Life.”
Becoming a Rabbinic team was not part of the original game plan they had mapped out for themselves. Jacqueline was a SENCO and Elchonon was an educator and aspiring psychologist. They were happily living in Jerusalem, when one day they were approached to take part in the United Synagogue internship scheme, giving potential Rabbinic teams a taste of United Synagogue life which took place over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Both curious and keen to gain new experiences, as well as providing the opportunity for Jacqueline to visit her family in the UK, the couple agreed to give it a try. It was only through experiencing the United Synagogue first-hand and being part of a community that they realised this was their calling.
Rabbi Feldman described the experience, “Being at Shul over Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur, we had the opportunity to engage with members who might only come once a year. It was fantastic to help them tap into and create meaning from the High Holy Days. We had the opportunity to connect, engage, and inspire. We had no experience of the United Synagogue before, and so we gained an insight into what is now the wacky, wild, weird life which we share. “
15 years later, and in their second Rabbinic roles, the couple now hold senior positions in the United Synagogue with Rabbi Elchonon as Chairman of the Rabbinic Council and Rebbetzin Jacqueline as Co-Chair of the Rebbetzin Representation Group of the United Synagogue as well as being the Senior Rabbinic team at Bushey.
Rabbi Feldman shared, “Serving the community is a responsibility that comes with the role. You could look at the role in two parts – leading and serving. Both are exceptionally important. We get to spend time with incredible people who, through fate or design, have come into our lives. We’ve come to appreciate and recognise more and more, the value of the people within the community, and we get to be part of their lives, which is an unbelievable privilege.”
Jacqueline adds “It is just so special when someone’s celebrating a simcha or going through a tough time; receiving support from the community means so much. We endeavour to offer support on a personal level, and seeing the incredible community in Bushey pull together is extraordinary. It really is amazing to have that input and insight.”
Jacqueline warmly adds, “Elchonon and I are definitely a team, we share responsibility, passion and vision for our roles. But we approach things differently and have different opinions from each other. That’s what makes it work, as we have a combined vision – that’s our strength, we encourage each other.”
Rabbi Elchonon agrees saying, “Jacqueline and I are definitely a team, we complement each other. We build each other up and challenge each other too.”
“The Bushey community is incredible; it is still a young shul. It was developed by Rabbi & Judy Salasnik, and we are nurturing its adolescence. There is so much to be proud of.”
“Bushey community members are always ready to step up and be involved; we are so fortunate. Bushey Gives Back is a standout group that comes together and runs projects to support the community, including our monthly Cookathon, which makes over 200 meals a session to hand out to those who may need them.”
“During our time here, we have experienced so much, we have even started writing our own Sefer Torah, in the middle of a rebuilding project and looking to launch a Hatzalah in the area. All of these projects and more have been so impactful to both the community and to us”
Jacqueline spoke about the success and growth of her weekly Emunah sessions. “The sessions have grown beyond my expectations. What started with my own internal struggles with faith, came to a head after October 7. I introduced a weekly session on Monday mornings, drawing strength and inspiration from those hostages released from Gaza, which grew in numbers, resulting in a thriving WhatsApp Group and I have written a book, collating essays and emails, thoughts and lessons. It’s exciting for a community learning programme to help people feel more engaged and involved.”
“We really have something for all ages and stages” adds Rabbi Feldman “One of my favourites is TGIF – our magical winter Friday night service. I love that people come to a service at 3.30 on a Friday. It is the best show in town! Most of all it is the people who make Bushey shine, that’s what makes us love Bushey.”
