Britain's oldest synagogue, Bevis Marks, has turned to a New Yorker to advance its spiritual and cultural ambitions.

Rabbi Shalom Morris arrived this week with the goal of enabling the City of London congregation to "blossom and extend into its full potential.

"As rabbi, I'll be leading services, preserving the character of the synagogue, but also teaching classes, organising events and networking.

"We're looking to provide an array of programming with local groups to provide classes, cultural activities and more. We want to reach out to the university students who live nearby as well."

It was important to show that Bevis Marks was "not simply a synagogue of the past, but also an important place for the future for the Jewish community.

"We want all of Anglo-Jewry to see us as their home to study, grow, worship and be inspired by their experiences here.

"Especially in a time of concerns over antisemitism in Europe, it's important that Bevis Marks is a symbol for Jews in England for what it means to be Jewish and for there to continue to be a thriving community."

The minister, who is 35 and single, will be in shul on Shabbat. He said it was "the perfect time" to move to London.

"I'm excited to get to know the city and the people. I enjoy the humour of England.

"Outside of Israel, I can't think of a better place to live."

Joseph Dweck, senior rabbi of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation, believed the appointment would "maximise the potential of our flagship synagogue".

Including children, Bevis Marks has some 150 members and there is an average attendance of 40 at Shabbat services.

Shul representative Andrea Silverman said there would be "a concerted effort to increase membership from Docklands.

"We're also working with the National Trust to maximise Bevis Marks as a heritage asset."