Our People

Rabbi Alex Chapper was appointed as Rabbi of Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue (BES) in April 2019, following two years as Community Rabbi.

He has more than 20 years’ experience in the rabbinate, and prior to joining BES was the rabbi of Ilford Federation Synagogue, Reading Hebrew Congregation and Hammersmith Synagogue.

He grew up in North West London and spent seven years at the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) where he attained a London University degree in Jewish Studies, as well as Semicha. He pursued further study at yeshivot Mir and Darchei Noam in Israel.

A pioneer in informal Jewish education, Rabbi Chapper has devised many innovative adult education programmes including the highly successful SpeedLearning, Diploma in Judaism and J Knowledge courses. He regularly visits Jewish schools encouraging young people to ask questions about Judaism.

Chaplain to the Mayor of Redbridge in 2014/15, Rabbi Chapper is actively involved in interfaith work. In 2009 he was appointed as a Justice of the Peace sitting at Redbridge Magistrate Court, the same year in which he graduated as an Ashdown Fellow.

Rabbi Chapper is a regular contributor to Jewish media and is a sought after public speaker. He is married to Eva and they have five sons.

Rabbi Greg Bank joins BES with an energetic vision for building community life. He studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush) for ten transformative years, completing both the Hesder Programme and studies in the Kollel Halachah, while also serving as a combat medic in the IDF. With a B.Ed. from Herzog College, Rabbi Greg brings deep educational experience from his roles in South Africa, including serving as Youth Rabbi at Johannesburg’s vibrant Linksfield Shul, and his work with gap year programmes in Israel.

In his previous position as Senior Rabbi at Yeshurun Hebrew Congregation in Manchester, he was known for making Judaism relevant and meaningful across all ages. As both a licensed Poland tour guide and trained Chatan teacher through World Mizrachi’s Shalhevet Programme, Rabbi Greg combines formal Jewish education with experiential learning to create engaging programming that speaks to modern Jewish life.

Rabbi Yaacov Finn was born in Israel but is very much a ‘homegrown’ Rabbi, having lived in Borehamwood since the age of six. He attended Sinai School and Immanuel College before going to learn in Netiv Aryeh in the Old City of Jerusalem. He studied Psychology at UCL, after which he went on to gain Semicha from the Montefiore College and a MSc in Health Psychology from UCL and Kings College London – he even has an article published in a psychology journal .

Whilst training as a Rabbi he became the Interim Minister of Shenley, and upon becoming a qualified Rabbi, BES was delighted when he returned home to join the Rabbinic team in October 2013. With the exception of two short breaks to support Radlett US and Northwood US, Rabbi Finn has supported BES services across both Croxdale Road and Yavneh sites on Shabbat and Yom Tov, initiating new ideas and programmes.

Rabbi Finn is employed part time by BES.

Rebbetzin Eva Chapper has over 20 years’ experience working in the Jewish community, previously serving as Rebbetzin in Hammersmith, Reading and Ilford. Eva grew up in Edgware and attended Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls and completed 3 years in Seminary in Israel. She has worked in many varied industries including catering, Marks & Spencer and for Schools’ J-Link.

Eva is an accomplished Bat Mitzvah teacher, she also learns one-to-one with brides in preparation for their wedding and has counselled many women.

Warm and approachable, she has spearheaded many initiatives for women to feel more empowered and connected to their Judaism.

Eva is primarily focussed on developing and delivering programmes to enhance the social and educational provision for women in the community.

In addition to her communal work, she is a mother of 5 sons. Her eldest son is based in Jerusalem and is in a combat unit in the IDF. Eva is well known for her love of Harry Potter and connecting the story to themes in the Torah.

Rebbetzin Hannah Bank brings warmth and educational expertise to her new role at BES. After studying at Midreshet Harovah, she earned her B.Ed. from Michlala College in Jerusalem, going on to teach in both mainstream and integrated environments in South Africa and Israel. Through the World Mizrachi Shalhevet Programme, she trained as a Kallah teacher alongside her broader communal education work.

Most recently as Senior Rebbetzin at Yeshurun Hebrew Congregation, she developed dynamic programming for all ages while maintaining her passion for youth engagement and women’s education. Together with Rabbi Greg and their young sons, who they consider their greatest blessing, the Banks look forward to bringing their characteristic warmth, sincere care for every congregant, and vision for an active, relevant community to BES.