Emeritus Rabbi

Rabbi Yaakov Grunewald

Rabbi Grunewald was appointed Rabbi of Pinner Synagogue in April 1976, having previously served as Assistant Minister at St Johns Wood Synagogue.

During his period of leadership the Pinner Community grew from being a very small affiliated community to becoming a major shul within the family of the United Synagogue.

Throughout these years, Rabbi Grunewald conducted regular shiurim in Halachah and Talmud, as well as teaching hundreds of children and encouraging them to take part in the service. He also taught Bible Commentaries to degree students at Jews’ College as well as Hebrew Grammar and Religious Knowledge  to advanced pupils at the Hasmonean and Menorah High Schools.

For many years, Rabbi Grunewald was a member of the Chief Rabbi’s cabinet and a member of the executive of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue.

Rabbi Grunewald lead our community for 35 years until his retirement in 2010 and although he now lives in Jerusalem, he has returned to Pinner on many occasions and is still in regular contact with many of our members.