Edgware rabbi quits to return to Israel

Edgware Masorti’s Rabbi Mijael Even David and his wife Raya, its youth education director, are returning to Israel after four years.

The Even Davids had come on a three-year contract but extended it for an additional year.

The Argentinian-born rabbi said it had been “an honour and privilege” to serve the congregation. He had been impressed by the work of the Masorti movement and its pride in traditions. “We’ve had an amazing experience,” his wife added. “It is hard to leave — it wasn’t an easy decision.”

Mrs Even David said they had also been struck by the inter-denominational respect in the UK, with Orthodox colleagues referring to her husband as “rabbi”.