After serving South London Liberal Synagogue as student minister for two years, Nathan Godleman has been appointed its full-time rabbi following his ordination.

The former teacher joined the rabbinic training programme at Leo Beack College in 2012 and has worked across Liberal and Reform Judaism.

He said he was happy to be continuing at the Streatham-based shul.

“We are a diverse, vibrant and welcoming community, which values tradition and innovation — the ideal combination for me.”

South London is the third oldest synagogue in the Liberal movement and numbers Julia Neuberger and John Rayner among its former ministers.

The previous incumbent was Rabbi Janet Darley, whose award-winning work with refugees led to the congregation launching a project to turn part of the synagogue into a home for a refugee family. Building work is expected to be completed next month.

“We hope we will have a refugee family living there by the autumn,” said shul chair Alice Alphandary.

“It is an exciting time to be at SLLS. A good rabbi is the cornerstone of a synagogue so I am delighted Nathan has agreed to join us on a full-time basis.”