After three wonderful years with WLJC, Rabbi Miri Lawrence took her last service with us in March 2026.  This allowed her to concentrate on her Ealing community and her family.  Over the summer Wessex took time to choose a replacement and we are thrilled to announce the appointment of Rabbi Martina Loreggian from January 2027.

Ahead of a full interview with WLJC member, Henri Ruff, here's some background information about Martina:

Rabbi Martina was born in Milan. She has an MA in Philosophy and obtained her rabbinical ordination from Leo Baeck College in July 2024. When asked to describe her passion about her rabbinical role she writes: ‘Two main reasons motivated me to become a rabbi. The first is my deep love for teaching.

Sharing my deep love for Judaism with people of all ages is one of the things that always makes this challenging profession worthwhile. This is not only because one can pass on one’s knowledge of and passion for our beautiful tradition, but because I always find myself learning from my students, through their questions, personal reflections and unique perspectives about their own Judaism.

The second reason is that as a rabbi one has the privilege to glimpse moments in other people’s lives and listen to their stories. A quiet confidence shared during a walk after a Friday evening dinner at a congregant’s home, a person telling me her life’s story while drinking a coffee together, a meeting with a convert facing a time of crisis, a couple smiling while exchanging their promises, holding the hand of a terminally ill congregant and friend; these are some of the most precious moments that I will keep close to my heart.’

We look forward to welcoming Rabbi Martina as our regular Rabbi from January 2027. We will also continue to have a number of visiting Rabbis and of course services from our wonderful lay leadership team.