Our People

Rabbi Goodwin grew up in Leeds and attended Leeds Grammar School before accepting a place to study Law and German at Birmingham University.

He studied at Yeshiva Mayanot in Jerusalem, Yeshivas Lubavitch Manchester and The Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, New Jersey where he received Semicha in 2014 from former Chief Rabbi of Israel and current Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau.

Rabbi Goodwin spent a year as the assistant Rabbi in Columbia University for Chabad on Campus and fulfilled a similar post at Oxford University. He also taught at Menorah Grammar in Edgware.

Before joining Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue Rabbi Goodwin was the Director of Services and Young Couples at Chabad Gants Hill.

Rabbi Goodwin succeeded Rabbi Davis in 2022 when he assumed the Senior Rabbi Role.

Rabbi Akiva was born in South Africa but grew up in Manchester. He moved to Israel aged 16, and studied in various yeshivas and kollelim since then, starting with Neveh Zion in Telz Stone for over 3 years and ending with the Jerusalem Kolel where he received his semicha from Rabbi Y Berkovitz, currently head of Aish in the old city.

As well as being the assistant Rabbi, here at Chigwell & Hainault Shul, Rabbi Akiva is a part of the Rabbinic Training Academy run by Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt, and is also the local young families educator for SEED. Akiva has worked in schools in Manchester and run half term day camps for primary school children and is focused on working with the youth and young families in the community.

Rebbetzen Chaya Brocha Goodwin grew up in Ilford before moving to Hendon where she attended Beth Jacob Grammar School. She then went on to study in Israel where she completed her Bagrut (Israeli High School qualification).

She has learnt in seminaries in Israel, Italy and America and was a nursery teacher before becoming a community Rebbetzen.

Rebbetzen Goodwin runs informal educational events for ladies in the community
as well as a Bat Mitzvah club.

The Goodwins have four children Rina, Tzvi, Ezra and Ari.

Rebbetzen Olivia Rosen was born in Leicester but grew up in Manchester where she attended King David school. She then went on to learn for a year at Midreshet Tehillah seminary in Israel.

After marrying Rabbi Akiva, the pair lived in Israel for 4.5 years and had two children, Naftoli and Michal.

They then moved back to England and currently serve as the Assistant Rabbi/Rebbetzen of Chigwell and Hainault synagogue.