People
Rabbi
Rabbi Rubin is a unique and hugely influential spiritual leader. Having studied under some of the past generations’ greatest Chassidic leaders, he has developed a special approach that is both warm and enlightening.
After serving as a Rav and educator in
This was over twenty two years ago and his arrival was considered a huge breakthrough for Torah orthodoxy in that area. This difficult decision was made with the blessing and coaxing from the Lev Simcha of Ger and the Bobover Rebbe Ztl.
In past two decades, the community has been transformed and many students who lived in its proximity began their Torah awareness under the Rav's understanding guidance. Now housed in a new Synagogue in Bowdon, the community is seen as one of the fastest growing and most inviting in the entire country.
Rabbi Rubin's leadership abilities have been recognised in the wider circles of rabbinic life and he has served as the Chairman of the Rabbinical Council of the Provinces for a number of years. His writings have long been cherished by the readership of both the Jewish Tribune and the Hamodea, and he has had five volumes of his heart-warming words successfully published.
Recently his three volume work on Tehilim, ‘Rhythm of the Heart’ has appeared in a new boxed set and its uniquely sensitive message of hope has found its way into many homes. ‘A Rabbi's Journal’, a matchless insight into the life and work of a communal Rav, has long been popular, and continue to instil warmth, love and respect into the hearts of thousands of readers.
The Rav's sermons and public-speaking are well known to be filled with wit, humour and spiritual insight and he is a sought after speaker at many occasions; both social and spiritual. Rabbi Rubin and his Rebbetzen are well know for their tireless work for others, especially those seeking to become closer to our heritage or those facing difficult times in their lives.
Rebbetzen
Rebbetzen Chaiky was born in New York to the Grodzinski family, a rabbinical family who were Holocaust survivors. She met her husband in Israel where they married in 1965.
They have two children. Chani Schreibhand, a florist, lives in Prestwich and is married to Yitzchok, a well regarded scribe, and they are proud parents of a large family including a first great-granddaughter for the Rabbi and Rebbetzen.
Their son Moshe married Hadassah, daughter of Rabbi Berel Cohen, and they live in Glasgow where he serves as Rabbi of Giffnock, the largest Orthodox congregation in Scotland today. They also have a large thriving family.
The Rebbetzen has established a warm bond with her Bat Chayil girls which continues to their marriage, as she also counsels married couples. In fact, she serves as friend and mentor to all the young people who have been guided by her. She can frequently be seen helping women at prayer and many members know personally of her warmth at difficult times of illness or bereavement.
She teaches under the auspices of the ‘Rebbetzen’s Think Tank’, she serves as President of the Ladies Committee and is active with the Chevra Kadisha and with Reachout.
The Rebbetzen’s Friday night dinners are renowned for their style and ambience. In addition, she has built up a career as a personal fitness adviser, bringing to the Orthodox ladies of North Manchester a certain sense of pride in their physical abilities.
Chazan
Chazan Michael Isdale is truly a son of our congregation. Born in Didsbury in 1948, he was brought up in the South Manchester Synagogue, where he celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. His father Arthur, married to Hilde, served on the Executive of the Shul for a number of years. Having sung in the choir since his younger days, Michael was approached to conduct Shabbat services, whilst the regular cantor took sick-leave at short notice. This gave him his first taste of chazanut. Later, he went on to study at Jews’ College under the guidance of maestro Leo Bryll and whilst in London, studied music and voice production at the Royal Academy under Mark Raphael. At the graduation ceremony in June 1976, the late Chief Rabbi, Lord Jacobovits presented Michael with his Chazanut Diploma and at the same ceremony, presented Jonathan Sachs with his Semicha. His first position as chazan was at the Heaton Park Synagogue, where he held the post for 3 years. This was followed by a further 3 years at the South Manchester Synagogue under Rabbi F F Carlebach. In 1982, he was appointed chazan of Yeshurun Synagogue, where he served for 20 years.
In 1979, he married Tanya and they have two sons, Jonathan and Adam. The family moved from Gatley to Bowdon in 2002, when Michael was appointed chazan to the new Bowdon Shul. He quickly established himself at his “alma mater”, as a melodious and popular chazan, and has done much to help establish the warm and intimate atmosphere of the new Synagogue. In 2003 he organised and trained a men’s choir, whose singing gives so much pleasure to our congregation.
The Chazan's love of both operatic and Israeli music can at times be heard interposed with short phrases into his cantorial delivery. He especially enjoys the active participation of the congregation and feels that this is as important a part of the service as the cantorial recitative. Chazan Isdale is also well-known for his concerts and recitals. Recent highlights have included the concert in 2005 at the Bowdon Shul in aid of the Morris Feinmann Home, which he conceived and jointly produced; participation in a cantorial concert at the same venue with world-renowned cantors, and a concert at the Whitefield Synagogue in 2006. He initiated and conducted the communal Seder, which has grown each year and has now become an important event in the Shul calendar.
The Chazan is kept busy with his regular Bar Mitzvah classes, as well as with his growing team of “Anim Zemirot” boys. His years of studying classical piano and later playing guitar in his band, has held him in good stead, especially when requested to accompany himself at Bat Mitzvah functions. He has been invited to officiate at weddings and at Bar Mitzvah ceremonies in North Manchester, London and cities as far afield as Jerusalem.
As many will know, Chazan Michael takes his pastoral duties seriously, contacting members personally at times of Yahrzeit, regularly visiting the sick in hospital, or at home, and also those who have suffered a bereavement.
The Chazan’s wife, Tanya, enjoys the regular opportunity to offer hospitality in their home to members, sharing with them the pleasure of fine food, zemirot and the warmth of a traditional Shabbat meal. She plays an active role on the Ladies Committee and is involved as co-ordinator for ladies participating in the Shul seed Programme.
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