Since joining in 2006 Rabbi Osher & Sarah Feldman have brought a renewed energy and vibrancy to the Gardens Shul.
Their warmth and enthusiasm have endeared them to the community and their creative initiatives including the popular monthly Friday Night Live – now being emulated throughout South Africa and internationally, Super Shabbos and ENGAJE, Gardens adult Jewish education have helped revitalize the Mother Synagogue of South Africa.
Rabbi Feldman was born and raised in Sydney Australia and is from a prominent rabbinical family spanning many generations. His father Rabbi Pinchas Feldman is the Dean and Spiritual leader of the Yeshiva Centre and Chabad NSW headquarters in Sydney Australia and his grandfathers were the well known and highly respected Rabbi Chaim Gutnick of Melbourne Australia and Rabbi Mendel Feldman of Baltimore USA.
Rabbi Feldman received his Rabbinic ordination after studying in Rabbinical colleges in the USA, Canada and Israel. While completing his Rabbinical and post graduate studies he was involved in the Rabbinate and community outreach in countries as far flung as Russia, Estonia, Australia and Israel.
He completed a successful term of office in Washington DC where he headed Jewish outreach programs at the George Washington and Georgetown Universities for the American Friends of Lubavitch and was associate Rabbi of 'The Shul of the nation's capital'.
Rabbi Feldman is known for his warm, engaging personality, his interesting Sermons and Shiurim, his creative initiatives and programs and his ability to interact with young and old alike.
Rebbetzin Sarah was born and raised in Johannesburg. She too is no stranger to the Rabbinate. Her father Rabbi Yossy Goldman is the senior minister of the Sydenham Highlands North Congregation in Johannesburg and has built a reputation as being one of South Africa's leading and most respected Rabbis.
After graduating from Torah Academy in Johannesburg, Sarah attended the Chaya Mushka seminary in Montreal and has been involved in education ever since.
She was the director of Youth Outreach for the Bal Harbor Synagogue, Florida and for Chabad in Alpharetta, Georgia, where she coordinated educational and social programmes for the community and was involved in pre – school education.
Sarah currently serves as head of the Judaic department at the Sinai Academy, on the West Coast. Sarah is known for her unique flair, style, positive energy and non judgmental approach. Her women initiatives, programs - including her popular Bat Mitzvah program, and Shiurim have made a huge impact on the community.
Sarah has embraced her role as Rebbetzin with much love and enthusiasm and her ability to juggle her roles as Mom, Rebbetzin and educator is an inspiration to all.
Rabbi and Sarah are blessed with two beautiful boys, Menny and Chaim who have become primary (and popular) partners in their parents work.