Rabbi Gershon & Mrs Esther Mindel Overlander
Rabbi Gershon Overlander received a BA in Hebrew Literature and Jewish History from UCL. After studying in yeshivos in New Jersey and New York he received Semicha from the central Lubavitch Yeshiva in Brooklyn.
For several years he was the Campus Rabbi at the State University of New York in Buffalo where he also served as Adjunct Professor of Jewish studies.
In 1987 Rabbi Overlander returned to the UK to continue working with Jewish College students. In 1988 he founded and directed the new Chabad House of Oxford and was a key member of the Lubavitch University Council. He later started the Farbrengen Society servicing Jewish students all over London and beyond.
After serving in various rabbinical positions in Manchester, in 2004 Rabbi Overlander founded the Chabad House of Hendon where for the past 20 years he has served as Rabbi to this phenomenal and dynamic community centre.
Esther Mindel Overlander grew up in Ohio and California. She holds a degree in Social Work from California Polytechnical college of Pomona and went to business coaching school as well. She worked in Jewish Family Services in Los Angeles, taught Special Education for many years and ran a licenced play group for five years. She was the Executive Director of Garden of Palms – a popular home for Assisted Living in Los Angeles. She came to London in 2013 after marrying Rabbi Overlander and is Co-Director of Chabad of Hendon.