Community
Fond farewell for New North London’s Rabbi Wittenberg
The senior Masorti rabbi has been leading the Masorti shul for 40 years
December 17, 2025 16:41
The senior Masorti rabbi has been leading the Masorti shul for 40 years
December 17, 2025 16:41A packed event of nearly 500 congregants was held on Sunday at New North London Synagogue to celebrate and honour their senior rabbi, Jonathan Wittenberg OBE, as he prepares to retire after four decades at the helm.
Since he joined the flagship Masorti community, it has grown from just 50 families to one of the UK’s largest synagogues, numbering 1,500 families.
Aside from leading NNLS, Rabbi Wittenberg has been a leading voice in interfaith dialogue, environmental advocacy and Jewish thought, as well as authoring numerous books.
During the event, Rabbi Wittenberg shared memories from his 40-year tenure, saying: “I am grateful beyond words to the New North London Synagogue, for the kindness, support and guidance its leaders and members have given me over so many years. They have encouraged, challenged and inspired me through good times and tough times, enabling us to deepen our knowledge and love of Judaism and our care for each other and the world.
“I have plenty of energy left to work in the future for the Judaism I love and the many matters I care deeply about. I thank God for the blessing I have been given.”
Community members offered personal tributes in a moving ceremony that also featured klezmer music and candle-lighting by his three adult children to mark both the first night of Chanukah and the 51st anniversary of NNLS.
Rabbi Jonathan will become rabbi emeritus at NNLS and continue as senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism, where he will focus on the spiritual leadership of the movement, mentoring young rabbis and visiting Masorti communities around the UK.
He will also continue working in the environmental and interfaith fields, as trustee and co-founder of EcoJudaism, a president of the Council of Christians and Jews and writing and broadcasting.
Vicky Fox and Mark Flenner, co-chairs of NNLS, said: “Rabbi Jonathan’s immense contribution to the community is almost impossible to describe – he has led and cared for us with great kindness, wisdom and indefatigable energy. He has been the ‘candle by our feet and a light upon the path’, guiding us to care about our Judaism, about each other and the world around us. We offer our heartfelt thanks and our enduring blessings for his next chapter.”
Rabbi Wittenberg announced his retirement earlier this year and has since been recognised through a series of events celebrating his leadership.
He recently delivered a keynote lecture series reflecting on three pillars of communal leadership. Three lectures featured guest panellists discussing pastoral care, spirituality and leadership in the public space. Panellists included Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover; Canon Nicholas Sagovsky, former Canon of Westminster Abbey; and author and broadcaster Jonathan Freedland.
NNLS is currently in the process of recruiting a new senior rabbi.
To get more from community, click here to sign up for our free community newsletter.