Our Rabbi, Francis Ronald Berry, was ordained by Rabbi Hugo Gryn of the West London Synagogue in the summer of 1989 after 5 years study on the rabbinical training programme at Leo Baeck College.

Before becoming a rabbi Ron was a scientist and then a science teacher. He has experience of working on disease control programmes in Africa, Scandinavia, Israel and England.

Following Ordination he served this synagogue until summer 1994 when he moved North to serve Newcastle Reform Synagogue and Darlington Hebrew Congregation, until 1998. He has also helped Romford United Synagogue with their High Holy Day observances. Ron returned to serve us in summer 2003.

Rabbi Francis is also a torah scribe, having been commissioned by the West London Synagogue to write them a torah scroll, completed in summer 2000. A year later Ron wrote a megillat Esther for the same synagogue and he has also completed many mezuzot.

Together with his wife, Kathy, Rabbi Francis has developed a Jewish Study Centre and Multi-Faith Retreat in the heart of Brittany where they spend summers welcoming guests on retreat or for study.