Magen Avot is a vibrant Shul and community, originally established in June 2015 with the support of Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and the United Synagogue (US). We are currently based in the Nancy Reuben Primary School Hall at 48 Finchley Lane, London NW4 1DJ. In 2022, our members voted overwhelmingly to appoint Rabbi Yoni and Rebbetzen Dina Golker as our Rabbinic couple. This marked a significant milestone in the growth and development of our kehilla. They succeeded Rabbi Joel and Sarah Kenigsberg, who returned to Israel in the summer of 2022 after leading and supporting our community through the challenges of the pandemic. In June 2025, we celebrated our Ten Year Anniversary with a weekend of events, culminating in a Sunday Fun Day attended by over 200 paying participants. This special occasion not only marked a decade of community life, but also served to showcase the many ways in which Magen Avot continues to serve both our members and the wider community.
Services on offer for adults and children
- Friday night
- Shabbat morning (including a weekly hot Kiddush)
- Shabbat Mincha and Motzei Shabbat
- Sunday services for adults and children
- Providing a full range of programmes and events for all its members and the wider community.
Our ethos
- Modern, orthodox, inclusive community that is welcoming to all
- Provision of opportunities for learning that are both intellectually and spiritually stimulating
- Promotion of women’s involvement and ways of making women feel included within halachic guidelines set out by the United Synagogue and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
- Supportive of Israel and its national holidays
- Involvement and encouragement of children and youth
- Promotion of decorum amongst all adults and children throughout services
- To support and advocate for the interests of those in need including persecuted groups in the UK and abroad, consistent with Torah principles
Management
- Chairman: Jonathan Faith
- Vice Chair: Patti Adler
- Women's Officer: Dr Fiona Taylor
- Financial Representative: Tali Diamant
- Gabbaim: Elkan Adler and Daniel Ehreich
- Male Council: David Berke, Adam Kay, Moshe Langerman, Julian Maurer and Julian Pollard
- Female Council: Liz Kliman, Chaya Langerman, Tamara Nisner, and Sara Spizzichino.
- Board of Deputies Representative: Julian Pollard
- United Synagogue Council Representative: Tali Diamant
- Community Safeguarding Coordinator: Cecil Taitz
- Chesed Committee Lead: Toni Zekaria
- Y@MA Youth Directors: Sophie Kleinman and Aviya Solomon
- Magen Maxis Lead: Rafi Kleinman
- Magen Minis Lead: Ariella Ovits
Policies
You can find details of United Synagogue policies, including the Complaints Policy at https://www.theus.org.uk/article/united-synagogue-policies
Our Rabbinic Couple: Before joining Magen Avot, Rabbi Yoni and Rebbetzen Dina Golker served as the Community Rabbi and Rebbetzen at St John’s Wood Synagogue from 2016, where they were responsible for engaging with all age groups across the community in collaboration with the senior rabbinical team and Youth Directors. Rabbi Yoni grew up in Golders Green and studied for three years at Yeshivas Beis Yisroel. He is a seasoned educator and public speaker, known for his innovative educational programming. During the pandemic, he launched a highly successful series of over 100 virtual interviews with prominent figures from across the Jewish world, attracting hundreds of thousands of online views. He spent over a decade teaching at JFS, where he served as Head of Upper School Jewish Education, and between 2013 and 2016, he and Rebbetzen Dina led the Ezra Youth Movement, overseeing its educational and social programming. From 2008 to 2014, Rabbi Golker was the Youth Director at Dayan Ehrentreu’s Shul. In September 2022, he became Deputy Head Teacher and Director of Jewish Life and Learning at Immanuel College. He continues to deliver dynamic shiurim and develop cutting-edge educational content for all ages. Rebbetzen Dina is a graduate of Michlalah Seminary in Jerusalem and holds both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Psychology, specialising in counselling psychology. She is a qualified secondary school Psychology teacher and currently serves as a Clinical Manager at NOA, a charity supporting Orthodox Jewish girls aged 12 to 24. Dina is deeply committed to pastoral care and is an active presence in community life. In 2022, she completed the Chief Rabbi’s Ma’ayan Programme for high-level female educators and advisors in Taharat HaMishpacha (family purity) and women’s health. At St John’s Wood, she led the Babes in the Wood group for mothers and babies and delivered popular women’s shiurim as part of the Taste of Torah series on selected Shabbat mornings. The Golkers were instrumental in developing the educational and programming vision at St John’s Wood, working closely with young professionals, newlyweds, and other key demographic groups. They played a leading role in Young United Synagogue events, lifecycle support across all age groups, and a wide range of community activities. They are the proud parents of six children: Yosef, Leila, twins Abie and Gadi, Herschel and Moshe.