Finchley United Synagogue, known as Kinloss, is home to Rabbi Dr Yoni and Rebbetzen Elisheva Birnbaum, who serve as Senior Rabbi and Rebbetzen alongside an extensive Rabbinic Team, including Rabbi Josh and Rebbetzen Tali Harris, Rabbi Yisroel Fine, and Rabbi Leibish & Rebbetzen Dini Heller of the Persian Sephardi Community.
Following ten years in Hadley Wood and four years in Hendon, they joined what they describe as “one of the most vibrant and forward-looking communities in the United Synagogue,” and feel that the community has immense potential in terms of what it can achieve.
Reflecting on his path to the rabbinate and in particular his upbringing in Kingsbury, Rabbi Birnbaum said: “Kingsbury United Synagogue was an extraordinary environment to grow up in – energetic, ambitious and filled with meaning. Rabbi and Rebbetzen Hool embodied a style of leadership that was both principled and inspiring, and they played a significant role in shaping my aspiration to become a Rabbi. They showed me the potential of Rabbinic leadership to transform people’s lives in a positive way.”
Rabbi and Rebbetzen Birnbaum share a deep commitment to pastoral care and communal life. Speaking about that work, they said: “To accompany people through the defining moments of their lives – spiritually, emotionally and personally – is both a profound responsibility and an immense privilege. Few roles offer the opportunity to build such meaningful relationships across every stage of life.”
Kinloss is a community defined by constant activity. With six services taking place on a Shabbat morning alone, the atmosphere is consistently vibrant and engaged. One of its newest initiatives is Minyan Hatza’ir, launched earlier this year for members in their 20s, who lead the service themselves alongside a growing programme of social events and Friday night dinners. Rabbi Birnbaum described it as “a particularly exciting expression of the community’s future leadership and energy.”
Kinloss also runs many children’s services, 12 standalone shiurim each week, and a wide range of events for all ages, including a recent educational trip to Poland. The community marked Yom Ha’atzmaut with multiple events, including the outstanding central Bnei Akiva celebratory service, and continues to create programming around every festival throughout the year.
“Before arriving at Kinloss, we were already aware of its reputation and potential,” Rabbi Birnbaum said. “What has struck us most, however, is the depth of engagement and sense of shared purpose that exists across such a large community. There are moments throughout the year that genuinely bring generations together, and witnessing hundreds of people participate with such enthusiasm and commitment is incredibly inspiring.”
Rebbetzen Birnbaum spoke about the community’s continued efforts around inclusivity, saying: “We have worked hard to create spaces in which families of all backgrounds and circumstances feel welcomed and able to participate meaningfully in communal life. Alongside adapted Shabbat experiences, we have also introduced standalone festival programming for families who may not otherwise be able to attend shul. The response from across the United Synagogue community has been exceptionally encouraging.”
Rabbi Birnbaum added: “Kinloss is unique because it combines deep-rooted history with genuine momentum and ambition. It is a truly multi-generational community whose members feel a powerful sense of belonging and responsibility towards its future.
“As we celebrate the community’s centenary through Kinloss 100, that spirit has become even more tangible. The programme of events, including a recent Shabbaton with international musical superstar Eitan Katz, has brought people together in a remarkable way, and it has become a defining focus for the entire community this year.”
