Having experienced difficulty finding a permanent minister, Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue is to lose its associate rabbi.

The shul says Rabbi Boruch Boudilovsky — who came to Borehamwood from his native Israel nearly three years ago —will be returning home “to further his career and follow opportunities there”. He will remain with the congregation until after Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Boudilovsky has been a popular contributor to the community’s activities, working in support of interim senior minister Rabbi Shimshon Silkin, who has said he will not be applying for the permanent job.

Borehamwood chair Stephen Forman was “disappointed that Rabbi Boudilovsky, Esther and their family will be leaving us and we thank them for their valued contribution”. The shul would be focusing its efforts on finding a successor to senior rabbi Naftali Brawer, who left in 2011.

Rabbi Silkin has filled the interim role for 18 months. After a lengthy recruitment process, he was controversially passed over for the permanent job last summer, along with the two other shortlisted candidates. Rabbi Silkin has remained “out of respect and appreciation” for the support received from congregants.