The Chief Rabbi has paid tribute to the work of employment charity Resource, saying that the address of its new premises symbolises that it is a place for “everyone”.

Affixing a mezuzah to the doorpost of its new address at 894 High Road, Finchley in north-west London, Rabbi Mirvis explained that the sum of eight, nine and four – 21 –  was the gematria of Hebrew letters kaf and aleph, the abbreviation for “kol echad”, which translates as “everyone”.

This, he said, was significant, as the charity, which offers training and support with job-hunting, was for everyone in the Jewish community, whatever their age or background.

The inauguration included presentations from three former Resource clients, who shared their stories of how they had been supported by the organisation, as well as from Andrew Bloch, renowned PR guru to Sir Alan Sugar, who entertained guests with insights into hit TV show The Apprentice.

PR guru Andrew Bloch being interviewed by Lynn Gayer (Photo: Yakir Zur)

Victoria Sterman, chief executive of Resource, said afterwards: “It was a truly special evening, putting Resource’s new office on the map as the go-to place for Jewish job seekers.”

The decision to move the premises was to give Resource a presence on the high road and increased visibility, as well as the capacity to accommodate more clients and house one-to-one meetings and seminars all under one roof.

Set up in 1992, Resource supports around 1,000 people a year. According to its heads, more than 70 per cent of service users complete the six-month programme with a job, and more than 95 per cent say they leave with more confidence and self-belief.

The charity is supported by 60 skilled volunteers, with an annual budget of £330,000.