The MHS Team

We first came to Muswell Hill on a Shabbat morning in 2005 felt at home straight away and have never looked back since. It’s been has been an honour to put something back into our Community running children’s services as a warden and now as Chair. With my wife Melinda we have brought up our 3 children Louis, Zak and Lauren in our Community.

I’ve been a member of MHS since 2000 and this year took on the role of Vice-Chair.

I grew up steeped in the US traditions, starting in Kingsbury before getting married (to our now-Administrator) and moving to Muswell Hill via Finchley.

My active involvement with the community started with me joining the Security rota and subsequently, having completed CST training, taking on the role of Security Officer.  I passed this on to another member and then, with the encouragement of Rabbi David when he left us, became active in encouraging people to attend Minyanim particularly on Friday nights. 

As I said, I am married with two sons and, when I’m not working or at Shul, I’m a keen follower of Arsenal FC.

Originally from Liverpool, I moved to Muswell Hill in the early 2000s with my wife, Judith, and we soon became part of the synagogue community. I joined the Council in 2016, later serving as Vice-Chair before becoming Financial Representative. Professionally, I’ve spent my career in finance – from research analysis and investment management to writing about the industry today. 

My wife Linda and I joined Muswell Hill shul in 1995 to get married and we have remained members here ever since. We now have two children Anthony (24) and Rochelle (18). I am the youngest of four brothers and work in the family business having originally trained as an accountant. This is my second stint as Warden following a two-year break. I have previously served on the board of management and the events committee and been a member of the security and pouring rota during my two-year hiatus as a warden. Currently in my 14th year of wardening having shared this honoured position with Leon Symons, Daniel Shaw and presently with Steven Feldman.

I’m Ruth Jampel, the Women’s Officer / Women’s Warden here at Muswell Hill .
I really enjoy being a part of our community, and am especially involved in the organising and running of services and events for women , including our monthly Rosh Chodesh group and Purim Megillah readings .My husband, Neil Rosenthal, and myself joined in 1997 and our 3 children have all really benefited from growing up in our inclusive and friendly community.
Professionally, I run Judaism for Schools and work in very many non- Jewish schools delivering interactive workshops. I’m committed to interfaith work and love working with children of all ages.

I’ve been a member of MHS since 2012, when I joined I felt that I had “come home”. I have been a member of Council, led the fundraising for the building renovation, looked after the web site and I have been a warden with Neil for the last 4 years.

When I’m not doing stuff for the shul, I am a semi-retired advisor to tech businesses.

I’m Dr Ron Ben Simon. I joined Muswell Hill Synagogue in 2006 when the family moved into a house not too far from the Shul. My main involvement has been to support the morning Minyan, and as such became the weekday warden, though I am available for Shabbat wardening if needed.
I am a consultant cardiologist and as such have been involved in a number of resuscitations and unofficial second opinions over the years.
My three lovely boys have all had their Barmitzvahs at the shul which were moments of great nachas for myself and Monica.

I became a member of MHS in 2000 and very quickly became involved in the re-launch of our Friday morning Toddler Group, having a young son myself. 

I subsequently joined the Board of Management (now known as the Synagogue Council)  but had to give this up as I was lucky enough (before the US made it prohibitive) in February 2009 to be taken on by the Shul as their Administrator.  This has given me the chance to be involved in many highs, as well as a few lows, within the community developing a close bond with a number of our members.

I am married to David (our Vice-Chair!) and we have two lovely sons, Benjy and Olly.

I grew up in Maida Vale and started out working in television casting. After some years, I decided to take a break to focus on my family, and I now live in Whetstone with my husband and our two grown-up sons. We’ve been active members of Woodside Park Synagogue for over 20 years, which has been a big part of our family life.

Since February 2021, I’ve been working with Muswell Hill Synagogue and have really enjoyed getting to know many of the members. It’s been lovely building those connections, especially at our Meet and Munch events.

Vince is our weekend caretaker. He lives locally in Crouch End with his wife and close to his son’s family including two lovely grandchildren. He enjoys gardening, reading, swimming and walking the dog. He has been known to enjoy the variety of local restaurants alongside a love of travelling.
He holds a season ticket for Arsenal which he attends with his son, nephew and family members.

My name is Juan Vasquez, I was born in Santiago, Chile. When I was 18 years old I went to travel to Europe to continue my career like a professional footballer. I lived jn Europe for several years and then I came to England with my wife Jessica, our children were born here.

My favourite sports are tennis, cycling and swimming and traveling around Europe.

I‘m the Security Officer (SO) at Muswell Hill Synagogue.

I have been a member of the Shul since moving to North London from the Wild West (Ealing) in 1999.  My cousin, Julian, was formerly the Rabbi here.

When I joined I immediately recognised what a friendly community this is. Through my children, Mia (25), Ella (23) and Jake (21), I soon got to know fellow parents and their children at Shabbat morning toddlers’ services, some of which I led.

Personally and professionally I could be described as an Arsenal supporting, tennis playing, commercial solicitor, involved in various charities and local community groups.

Since early 2023, when I became SO, the security of our members and guests has become even more relevant.  This is provided by our excellent team of 60 volunteers from the community and our professional guards, with whom I am fortunate to work.

My task is to get the little noisy people into Shul and as a Dad of two gorgeous little noisy Boys (6 and 9) I’m up for the challenge.  

We’ve been living in MH for 5 years and only stumbled across the place after my old university mate,Tequila Dave, became Rabbi here and cut us a good deal on our Wedding Ceremony. We love it here, the warmth of the community reminds me of my old Shul in South Manchester (mainly because half of them are here too) but the Kiddushes are better here.

When I’m not avoiding work I’m very active at Eden (my kids school), I drink lots of coffee at Doppio and contrary to popular opinion I’m not a male model or in Mossad. Anyway, that’s all Chat GPT knows about me.

I grew up in Manchester and after marrying spent a few years living away. My husband and I came back to Whitefield, Manchester in 1977. 

I was always actively involved in Shul life, alongside my very active career as a lawyer in the local authority in Oldham and as a Tribunal judge.

We moved to  London in 2017 to be near our 2 daughters and their children and other family members. We also have a son in Yorkshire.

We joined Muswell Hill Shul shortly after arriving. I am currently chair of the Top of the Hill group for older members of the community. I am also currently a member of the Shul Council.

We have 8 grandchildren.

I’m Melinda Shaw , the council member responsible for our community’s welfare.

When I joined the Shul with Daniel I was  instantly able to feel at home as the Shul reminded me of the Shul in south Manchester where I grew up .

I am Judith Prinsley originally from Cheadle in South Manchester and  I am immensely proud of my roots . Mark from Middlesbrough and I joined this Shul in 1985.  We have two daughters, and our son-in-law is from Glasgow. I was a Drama teacher and Staff Governor at Fortismere School, then latterly the PSHE Coordinator.

I currently hold the position of Vice Chair within the Security, Resilience, and Cohesion Division, on the Board of Deputies and  I am on the Executive. I am a member the Haringey Multifaith Forum, collaborating with  the Chair Bibi Khan MBE, other faith leaders and partners .

My husband Neil and I joined Muswell Hill Shul when we got married 30 years ago and we’ve been members here ever since, through 3 house moves. We have two children, Anthony and Rochelle, aged 24 and 18 respectively.

I work for the United Synagogue as an administrator for another shul. My role on the Muswell Hill Council is Catering/Events.

I joined Muswell Hill Synagogue with my wife Toni , after we moved here from Cambridge in 2008 .  I was born and brought up in Manchester and worked as a doctor in the NHS for 40 years , retiring 4 years ago. Our children all live locally and our grandchildren are frequent fairly active participants in the Shabbat morning service.

I run the gardening group trying  to make the front of the Shul as attractive as it can be and am responsible for welcoming new members and their families to this very friendly and inclusive community.