We are delighted to announce that Rev Tom Burden has been appointed as the new director of CMJ Israel and Dean of the CMJ Israel clergy. Tom will be known to many as former (interim) director of CMJ’s Anglican International School in Jerusalem. He was at the helm on 7 October 2023 and led the school through the challenging time that followed.

An ordained minister in the Church of England since 2021, Tom has extensive leadership experience in both Christian and secular settings. He comes to CMJ with a lifelong commitment to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through faith and trust in Jesus of Nazareth.

Tom and his wife, Katherine, have a God-given calling to serve the Jewish people in Israel. They will take up residence in Israel in August 2025, with Tom assuming his position on 1 September.

Much of Tom’s working life has been in education, including as headmaster of two schools in England: Hereward House School, a private preparatory school for boys in Hampstead, London, and The Pilgrims’ School in Winchester, whose pupils are choristers at Winchester Cathedral.

Tom won a scholarship to Oxford University, where he studied theology. He always believed that full-time ministry was his destiny – though, given his career in education, that step took 25 years. More recently, Tom returned to Oxford University, to Wycliffe Hall, where he spent his final year of training for ordination.

Tom grew up in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, an island off England’s south coast. He says, “My journey as a Christian really began after a teacher invited me to take part in a play at St Catherine’s Church. It was there that I made my commitment to Christ.”

This life-changing event as a teenager has informed his belief in the transformational power of the gospel. Now an evangelical pastor in the Anglican tradition, Tom has served as vicar of St Catherine’s Church on the Isle of Wight since March 2023.

With his experience as a leader of complex institutions, his service as a consultant and on the governing boards of UK independent schools is much valued.

Tom met Katherine at St Catherine’s while she was working as a local government manager on the Isle of Wight. Katherine grew up at St James’s Palace, where her father served as verger in the chapel, serving, primarily, the late Queen Elizabeth II. Katherine spent her early professional life as an events coordinator and verger at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and was later an ecclesiastical legal secretary.

Both Tom and Katherine have a heart for the Jewish people, and, God willing, they are making a long-term move to Jerusalem. They enjoy Israeli culture and are excited about learning Hebrew. Tom’s loyal support of Southampton Football Club, however, will persist no matter how long they are in Jerusalem.

We look forward to welcoming Tom and Katherine to the CMJ community in Israel in August.