Welcome to
Cranbrook United Synagogue
Our Ministers
Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Steven Dansky
Rabbi Steven Dansky is the Senior Rabbi of Cranbrook Synagogue.
He studied at the Ateres Yisrael Yeshiva in Jerusalem and gained both a BA (Hons) in Psychology and a MA in Organisational Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
He received rabbinic ordination after studying at the Kollel of the Judith Lady Montefiore College.
Steven focuses on the interplay between traditional rabbinic ideas and psychological theories
and concepts. His approach is inspired by the teachings of Emeritus Chief Rabbi Sacks on
Torah v’Chochmah – the great partnership of religious and scientific thinking.
He is married and has two little girls who are his pride and joy.
Community Welfare Minister
Reverend Gary Newman
Reverend Gary Newman, our Community Welfare Minister, previously served as the minister of Newbury Park Synagogue for fifteen years and now provides pastoral care to the Cranbrook Synagogue community.
Reverend Newman was born in Southport. He began his ministerial apprenticeship as a Chazan in the Southport Jewish community, before taking up a position as Chazan of the Higher Prestwich Synagogue in Manchester.
From Higher Prestwich he headed South to take up Chazan and ministerial duties at Westcliff & Southend Hebrew Congregation, where he served for six years before moving to Newbury Park.
Reverend Newman is the Chaplain to King George hospital and to Queens hospital Romford and is the area Ajex chaplain and the rabbinic representative to the Neros committee. Away from his pastoral duties he is available as a visiting freelance Chazan.
Reverend Newman is married to Gill and they have four children. They look forward to welcoming you to our community.