Chabad is opening a house in Islington with the aim of reaching the influx of young Jewish professionals and families moving to the area. Rabbi Mendy Korer and his family will run the Canonbury centre, an addition to central locations including Warren Street, Chancery Lane and Shoreditch.
Originally from Stamford Hill, Rabbi Korer has been an assistant minister at a Chabad in New Jersey. He points out that his family "were not brought up religious but became Orthodox. I have many cousins and relatives who are still very secular and so I'm very comfortable around people who aren't religious."
"Islington has no synagogue or Jewish life at all, but I keep getting new names of Jewish people who live here. It was a hole we felt needed to be plugged. The real question is why it took so long?"
Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, Director of Chabad Lubavitch UK said, "The Korer Family bring with them a wealth of experience; with their truly non-judgmental inclusive approach they are able to cater to the needs of Jews from a wide range of backgrounds. This new Centre is one example of Chabad's ongoing efforts and overriding goals of adapting and responding innovatively to the changing needs of the Jewish community. Under the Korer's leadership we are confident that Chabad Islington will successfully enhance Jewish life in the area for people of all ages regardless of affiliation or background."
For more information about the Chabad House in Islington please email Rabbi Mendy Korer - [email protected]
(Story by Jessica Elgot @ Jewish Chronicle)