A Masorti Synagogue has officially welcomed a new Rabbi and celebrated the future of the community with a special event.

On November 6, Oliver Joseph was installed as the new Rabbi of the Elstree and Borehamwood Masorti Synagogue despite officially starting a year ago.

Ceremonies were led by the Masorti Senior Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg.

Masorti is the Hebrew for "traditional" and the movement believes in traditional Judaism for modern Jews celebrating the diverse, pluralistic nature of modern Jewish communities.

Rabbi Joseph said: "It has been a great year. The community has grown in members.

"Masorti started in the community 10 years ago and it would have been in someone's house.

"Since that time the community worked very hard and grew over that 10 year period."

The installation was also attended by Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden who is a co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews and is an officer in the Conservative Friends of Israel.

Mr Dowden said: "It was a pleasure to join the Elstree & Borehamwood shul for the investiture of their new Rabbi and to celebrate the Masorti Synagogue’s 10th Anniversary.

"I have spent a lot of time in the last year and half since I was elected visiting the wide variety of communities that we have in Hertsmere – civic, religious and charitable.

"The Jewish community is a very important part of our life in Hertsmere and I was delighted to be able to make my first visit to a Masorti community.

"In common with the rest of the Jewish community in Borehamwood, the Masorti community is going from strength to strength.

"Like me, Rabbi Joseph is new and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead to serve our community to the best of our abilities. I am sure he will be a wonderful guiding hand in this community.

"I was also able to update members of the shul on the work that I am doing to support the Jewish community in Parliament, including raising anti-Semitism with the Prime Minister at PMQs and promoting Holocaust remembrance.

"It was great to be able to re-affirm my commitment to the Jewish community with the members of this young and growing shul."

Anyone wanting more information on the Elstree and Borehamwood Masorti Synagogue should visit here or email info@ebmc.org.uk.