Rabbi David Lister
Rabbi Lister was born in 1969, and grew up in Manchester where he learned for a year in the Sha'arei Torah Yeshiva before reading French at London University. He graduated with first class honours, before returning to Sha'arei Torah. Rabbi Lister told us that he then moved to Israel where he studied in the world famous Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. One of his many interests was to participate in the Ohr LaGolah diaspora training programme at Ohr Sameach in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Lister returned to England in 1997 with his young family and took up the post of Rabbi in Reading for three years, moving to Muswell Hill Synagogue, where he was the Rabbi for seven years. During this time, Rabbi Lister also qualified as a primary school teacher specialising in Early Years education. He plays the violin and guitar, and enjoys reading about space exploration and quantum physics.
Rebbetzen Rachie was born and educated in London and Seminar Yerushalayim in Jerusalem. Her work for the community has included Cheder teaching, counselling, hospitality, adult education, welfare visits, teaching Bat Mitzvah girls and learning with brides.
In the 1990's she trained as a dental nurse and then as a dental hygienist at the Eastman Dental Hospital in London, re-qualifying as a hygienist in Jerusalem in order to practise there. She now works part-time at a surgery in Temple Fortune.
Rabbi and Rebbetzen Lister have five children, Moshe Chaim, Shoshana Kala, Yishai, Leora and Akiva.
Rabbi Dr. Steven Gaffin - Community Development Director
Rabbi Dr Steven Gaffin is originally from London. He studied at the Universities of Liverpool and London from where he gained a batchelors degree and a PhD respectively in Psychology.
Following periods of study at yeshivot in Manchester and Jerusalem, he received his Rabbinical Ordination from HaRav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg of the Jerusalem Beit Din. He is also a qualified drugs counsellor and holds a Foundation Certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling. Prior to joining Edgware Synagogue, Rabbi Gaffin had a successful period as the Community Director of Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue. He is also currently the Executive Director of j*link. He is married to Alexis with whom he has four children. His philosophy as Community Director can by summed up as: "Edgware is a community not just a shul."
Jonny Turgel (Chazan)
Jonny was born in London in 1984 into a family where his love for music and tefillah was encouraged from an early age. After completing his studies at Immanuel College, he spent a year learning at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh in Jerusalem and is currently reading Jewish History at University College London. 
He is a regular soloist with the Shabbaton Choir and his inspiring, melodious voice has featured in many concerts both in England and abroad. In addition to leading the annual Choral Midnight Selichot service together with Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld for the past 5 years, Jonny conducts many of Anglo-Jewry’s official commemorative events, including the annual remembrance service on Yom Yashoah at Logan Hall. His expressive and emotive singing has enriched many Chuppot, at which Jonny regularly officiates to great acclaim.
At only 24 years of age, Jonny has already become a very popular Chazan and lead singer at s’machot across the country. He has been the Chazan of Edgware United Synagogue for the past 2 years, where his heartfelt tefillot, combining both traditional and modern compositions, have deeply enhanced and uplifted the services.
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