Chabad House of Hendon

112-114 Brent Street • London • NW4 2DT (Source Google Street View).

Chabad House of Hendon is a Jewish community centre and synagogue affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, located at 112–114 Brent Street, Hendon, London NW4 2DT. It serves as an educational, religious and social hub for the local Jewish community, welcoming Jews of all backgrounds and levels of observance.

History

The Chabad House of Hendon was established in October 2004 by Gershon Overlander and Sarah Leah Overlander as an outreach centre aimed at strengthening Jewish life in the Hendon area. Hendon already had a long-established Jewish community, with Hendon United Synagogue dating back to 1928, but the Chabad House introduced a more inclusive, outreach-oriented model consistent with the global mission of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The establishment of Chabad in the United Kingdom began in 1959 in Stamford Hill, with centres gradually spreading across North London including Golders Green, Edgware and Hendon. By the early 2000s several new Chabad centres had opened in North West London to serve both observant and unaffiliated Jews. The centre began with modest facilities but rapidly expanded its range of services including daily prayer services, educational classes, holiday programmes and community events. In 2006 the centre held its first major fundraising dinner at the Hendon Hall Hotel, attracting over 200 participants and establishing an annual tradition. In December 2007 Gershon Overlander participated in the first large public Chanukah menorah lighting in Hendon together with then-London Mayor Ken Livingstone. The centre established a pop-up synagogue named Beis Gavriel in memory of Gavriel Holtzberg, who was murdered during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. In 2018 construction began on a permanent £2.3 million building for Beis Gavriel, which was completed in subsequent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021) the centre moved many programmes online, including daily Torah classes and virtual holiday events. In 2021 the organisation was formally registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under number 1197396.

Activities

Chabad House of Hendon operates a wide range of religious, educational and social programmes:

Daily and Shabbat prayer services Weekly Torah classes including Parshah shiurim, men's shiurim and women's classes Holiday programmes for Chanukah, Purim, Pesach, Sukkot and other festivals Public menorah lightings and community celebrations Friday night meals and Shabbat day meals One-to-one Torah study Mezuzah and tefillin checking Educational courses for adults and youth Gan Menachem nursery (early years education) Family events and children's programmes

The centre describes itself as a "home away from home" for Jews of all backgrounds.

Controversies

No child sexual abuse allegations or related scandals have been publicly reported concerning Chabad House of Hendon itself. However, the broader Chabad-Lubavitch movement has faced serious criticism in several countries regarding the handling of child sexual abuse allegations.

Child sexual abuse cases in other Chabad institutions

The 2015 Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found systemic failures at the Yeshivah Centre in Melbourne (a Chabad institution), including a culture of cover-up and denial. In the United Kingdom, a 2018 incident at Lubavitch of Golders Green (a different Chabad centre in London) involved honouring a convicted sex offender with a Torah scroll dedication, which drew widespread condemnation. In 2019 a former teacher from a Manchester Chabad school faced historical allegations of indecent assault against boys in the 1990s. Critics have argued that cultural norms such as mesirah (prohibition on reporting fellow Jews to secular authorities) and concerns about lashon hara (forbidden speech) have sometimes hindered reporting and proper response to abuse allegations in some ultra-Orthodox and Chabad communities.

Other controversies

In 2021 the associated Gan Menachem nursery dismissed an employee for cohabiting with her boyfriend outside of marriage. The employee claimed religious discrimination; the Employment Appeal Tribunal ultimately ruled in favour of the nursery.

People

Leadership and founders

Gershon Overlander – founding director and senior rabbi Sarah Leah Overlander – co-founder and director (deceased) Esther Mindel Overlander – current co-director Shlomo Fuchs – education director Channa Fuchs – programme director

Trustees (as of 2025)

Name	Role	AppointedIttai Ben-Ze'ev-Benjamin Sovin-Chabad Lubavitch UK Trustees Limited-Gershon Overlander} Timeline 1959 – Chabad-Lubavitch movement establishes first centre in the United Kingdom in Stamford Hill. 1968 – Official opening of Lubavitch House in London. 1970s–1980s – Gradual expansion of Chabad centres across North London. October 2004 – Chabad House of Hendon opens at 112–114 Brent Street. 2005 – First full year of synagogue services and educational programmes. 2006 – First major fundraising dinner held at Hendon Hall Hotel. December 2007 – Public Chanukah menorah lighting with participation of Ken Livingstone. 2008 – Establishment of pop-up synagogue Beis Gavriel in memory of Gavriel Holtzberg. May 2010 – Community members participate in Maccabi Fun Run and raise £4,000. 2013 – Gan Menachem nursery dismissal case begins. 2016 – Shlomo Fuchs and Channa Fuchs join as education and programme directors. 2018 – Groundbreaking ceremony for permanent Beis Gavriel building. 2020–2021 – Major shift to online programming during COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 – Formal charity registration (number 1197396). 2022 – Gan Menachem nursery wins employment appeal tribunal case. December 2023 – Large public Chanukah celebration at Hendon Town Hall. December 2024 – Annual menorah lighting with Deputy Mayor of Barnet. January 2025 – Weekly Parshah shiurim continue (Beshalach 5785). January 2026 – Parshah shiur on Yisro 5786 delivered by Gershon Overlander. February 2026 – Ongoing programmes including Friday night meals, Morning Mysticism and Goals Course. Resources https://jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/London/hendon_chabad/index.htm Notes