Rabbanus, London
Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch arrived at the Newton Mearns Shul in Glasgow in 2003. The Hackenbrochs set to work and created a framework of regular shiurim on shabbos and weekends, and programs for youngsters, teenagers and adults. The adult education program attracted over 500 participants. Social and sporting events were organized as a means of drawing people in and making them feel comfortable as a preamble to experiencing authentic Jewish education. Barbecues, shabbatonim, and singles events for young Jewish adults on the brink of marrying out, were all part of the regular repertoire of events planned by the Hackenbrochs in order to encourage the local population to feel comfortable connecting with Yiddishkeit, which up till then had been a peripheral issue in their lives.
In addition to speaking in the wider community, arranging cross-communal events and participating in interfaith events, Rabbi Hackenbroch also wrote a regular column, called “The Hackenblog” for “The Jewish Telegraph,” the local Jewish publication.
In 2008, the Hackenbrochs moved to London, where Rabbi Hackenbroch became the Rabbi of Woodside Park Synagogue. His arrival saw the start of the ‘Bnei Mitzva’ program which is an extension of the current cheder. Children learn for their bar- or bat-mitzva, and the parents are encouraged to become involved simultaneously and are inspired to pursue their own Jewish education. The last Tikun Leil drew a record crowd of over 100! Singles events are also part of the regular fare offered by Woodside Park – a Chanuka candle lighting event attracted 350 singles. Apart from regularly lecturing in the local schools, Rabbi Hackenbroch now conducts a lot of his teaching through webinar, a web-based seminar, the key feature of which is the interactive element — the ability to give, receive and discuss information. It is by means of this form of education that people can now study Yiddishkeit from the comfort of their home or office.