Rabbi Alex & Rebbetzin Eva Chapper

Rabbi Alex Chapper was appointed as Rabbi of Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue (BES) in April 2019, following two years as Community Rabbi. 

He has more than 20 years' experience in the rabbinate, and prior to joining BES was the rabbi of Ilford Federation Synagogue, Reading Hebrew Congregation and Hammersmith Synagogue.

He grew up in North West London and spent seven years at the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) where he attained a London University degree in Jewish Studies, as well as Semicha. He pursued further study at yeshivot Mir and Darchei Noam in Israel.

A pioneer in informal Jewish education, Rabbi Chapper has devised many innovative adult education programmes including the highly successful SpeedLearning, Diploma in Judaism and J Knowledge courses.

As the Children’s Rabbi, he regularly visits Jewish schools encouraging young people to ask questions about Judaism, and runs the childrensrabbi.com website.

Chaplain to the Mayor of Redbridge in 2014/15, Rabbi Chapper is actively involved in interfaith work. In 2009 he was appointed as a Justice of the Peace sitting at Redbridge Magistrate Court, the same year in which he graduated as an Ashdown Fellow.

Rabbi Chapper is a regular contributor to Jewish media and is a sought after public speaker. He is married to Eva and they have five sons.

Rebbetzin Eva Chapper is Senior Rebbetzin of Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue. She has over 20 years' experience working in the Jewish community, previously serving as Rebbetzin in Hammersmith, Reading and Ilford. Eva grew up in Edgware and attended Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls and completed 3 years in Seminary in Israel. She has worked in many varied industries including catering, Marks & Spencer and for Schools' J-Link.

Eva is an accomplished Bat Mitzvah teacher, she also learns one-to-one with brides in preparation for their wedding and has counselled many women. 

Warm and approachable, she has spearheaded many initiatives for women to feel more empowered and connected to their Judaism.

Eva is primarily focussed on developing and delivering programmes to enhance the social and educational provision for women in the community.

In addition to her communal work, she is a mother of 5 sons. Her eldest son is based in Jerusalem and is in a combat unit in the IDF. Eva is well known for her love of Harry Potter and connecting the story to themes in the Torah.