The Mayor of Barnet

Photo of Councillor Rich in full Mayoral regalia

On Tuesday 20 May at the Annual Council Meeting, Councillor Danny Rich was officially sworn in as the 61st Mayor of Barnet. The Mayoress will be his wife, Ms Laura Lassman.

Cllr Rich was born in and grew up in South London and studied politics and modern history at Manchester University. After ordination from the Leo Baeck College in Finchley, he served as Rabbi to Kingston Liberal Synagogue for two decades. He was appointed Senior Rabbi and Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism in 2005, a post he relinquished after 15 years in 2020.

Cllr Rich was elected as a local councillor for West Finchley on 3 May 2018. He previously chaired the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and sat on several other committees, including the Licensing and General Purposes Committee.

In addition to his current duties as Senior Rabbi at Southgate Progressive Synagogue, he is a Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) in South West London and a hospital chaplain.

As Mayor, he has selected the following charities to raise funds for during his term:

  • Unitas Youth Zone
  • Jewish Deaf Association
  • Home-Start Barnet