Woodside_park Synagogue

Our Rabbi - Rabbi Hackenbroch

Pinchas Hackenbroch was born on 31st October 1973 in London. The eldest of three children, he grew up in Stanmore where together with his family he was very active in Stanmore United Synagogue and during these formative years forged a close relationship with Rabbi Dr J Cohen.

After graduating from Hasmonean High school he went on to learn in Yeshivat Har Etzion. Two years later he returned to take up his place studying law in London Guildhall University . During these years he continued his learning in Haagers Beis Medrash as well as giving back to the community through becoming a popular teacher in the Borehamwood and Elstree Cheder.

Watch Rabbi Hackenbroch's Rosh Hashanah Video Message!!

Watch Rabbi Hackenbroch's Shavuot message to the community

In 1997 he moved back to live in Israel where he studied in Yeshivos of Medrash Shmuel as well as Mir for a further six years culminating in his attaining Semichah from Rav Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg of the Jerusalem Beth Din. It was during this time that he met his wife Gila, nee Elevitsky whose father was Rabbi of the Mizrachi Shul in Antwerp , Belgium and they married shortly after. Whilst in Israel he was invited to give a daily Talmudic shiur in Yeshivat Medrash Shmuel as well as a weekly ladies shiur in the Kiryat Moshe neighbourhood of Jerusalem.

Before being appointed full time Minister of Woodside Park Synagogue in November 2008, Rabbi Hackenbroch was Rabbi of Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation a community of over 400 members in Glasgow. He was Head of Kashrut for West of Scotland as well as finding time to be a weekly columnist for the Jewish Telegraph. During their time in Newton Mearns Rabbi and Rebbetzen Hackenbroch were well known for dynamic and exciting educational and social programmes, from "60 days for 60 years" a learning programme tackling contemporary Jewish issues that attracted over 1000 people, to sell out communal BBQs and shabbatons that attracted a wide cross section of the community.

During his time in Scotland Rabbi Hackenbroch became a sought after speaker, from giving Shiurim within the community to a monthly shiur in Manchester as well as guest speaker at many inter-communal events. In addition he has written on Jewish issues that have been published both in his own community and beyond.

The Hackenbroch's are renowned for their open door policy and being extremely approachable. Gila in addition to being a warm and outgoing hands on Rebbetzen in her shul work, has recently completed her second lecture series for the UJIA and was the liaison between the Glasgow and the London Beth Din for Gittin as well as working for Relate in her capacity as a qualified family therapist. Rabbi Hackenbroch and Gila have been married for ten years and have six children, one of whom is attending Woodside Park Synagogue's own Yavneh nursery.