Rabbi Dr Yoni & Rebbetzen Elisheva Birnbaum Rabbinic Team
Rabbi Dr Yoni Birnbaum grew up in Kingsbury and attended Hasmonean High School. He spent over ten years studying at Yeshivot in this country and Israel, gaining the prestigious Semicha of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He also holds a Law degree as well as an MA and PhD in Jewish Studies. His doctoral thesis focuses on inclusivism as a factor in halachic decision making. He was the 2018 Daniel Jeremy Silver Fellow at Harvard University, has published two books and is a frequent contributor to local and national media.
From 2010 - 2020 he was the Rabbi of the Hadley Wood Jewish Community, overseeing the remarkable growth of one of the greatest communal success stories of recent years. In 2020 he was appointed Rabbi of Toras Chaim, a vibrant and flourishing community of young families in the heart of Hendon. He serves as Director of Marriage Authorisation at the Office of the Chief Rabbi and prior to the commencement of his new role as Senior Rabbi of Kinloss, was Director of the Conversion Department of the London Beth Din. He is also an experienced educator with March of the Living UK and sits on the Interfaith Advisory Board for Holocaust Memorial Day UK.
Rebbetzen Elisheva Birnbaum (née Kaufman) BSc (Hons) MAR, grew up in Golders Green. She studied at Hasmonean High School, followed by the Hadar Beth Jacob Seminary in Jerusalem. She completed a BSc in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University, followed by a postgraduate diploma in Sensory Integration and is a Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist in private practice. After her marriage to Rabbi Birnbaum, she completed an intensive three year Rebbetzen training programme at Ner L’Elef in Jerusalem and subsequently completed the Susi Bradfield Leadership training programme at LSJS.
The Birnbaums have six children; Nechama, Shimi, Tobi, Sara, Ayala and Libby. In their (admittedly limited) spare time they love outdoor walking and hiking, as well as exploring new places, adventures and opportunities.
From 2010 - 2020 he was the Rabbi of the Hadley Wood Jewish Community, overseeing the remarkable growth of one of the greatest communal success stories of recent years. In 2020 he was appointed Rabbi of Toras Chaim, a vibrant and flourishing community of young families in the heart of Hendon. He serves as Director of Marriage Authorisation at the Office of the Chief Rabbi and prior to the commencement of his new role as Senior Rabbi of Kinloss, was Director of the Conversion Department of the London Beth Din. He is also an experienced educator with March of the Living UK and sits on the Interfaith Advisory Board for Holocaust Memorial Day UK.
Rebbetzen Elisheva Birnbaum (née Kaufman) BSc (Hons) MAR, grew up in Golders Green. She studied at Hasmonean High School, followed by the Hadar Beth Jacob Seminary in Jerusalem. She completed a BSc in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University, followed by a postgraduate diploma in Sensory Integration and is a Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist in private practice. After her marriage to Rabbi Birnbaum, she completed an intensive three year Rebbetzen training programme at Ner L’Elef in Jerusalem and subsequently completed the Susi Bradfield Leadership training programme at LSJS.
The Birnbaums have six children; Nechama, Shimi, Tobi, Sara, Ayala and Libby. In their (admittedly limited) spare time they love outdoor walking and hiking, as well as exploring new places, adventures and opportunities.