Rabbi Dovid Lewis will be returning home to fill South Manchester Synagogue's ministerial vacancy.

Manchester-born Rabbi Lewis, 32, currently at Newcastle's United Hebrew Congregation, is expected to transfer to the Bowdon community in June. He succeeds Rabbi Yitzchok Rubin, who vacated the post after 25 years to launch a strictly Orthodox private high school in north Manchester.

Rabbi Lewis holds a BA in Jewish studies from SOAS and an MA in theological research from Durham University. He obtained semichah in Israel in 1999.

His wife Nachi has taught in Australia and Crimea and is expected
to continue her educational activities in the South Manchester area.

Shul president John Sless believes the appointment "will lead us into the future in a vibrant, tolerant and truly spiritual manner".

‘There is potential for the community to grow’

The rabbi, who has two young daughters, noted that the Bowdon community included more than 100 children under barmitzvah age.

"Their membership has been increasing, but there is potential to grow substantially and we would like to see internal growth from members and new members."

In Newcastle, UHC president Samuel Pearlman said the congregation would be advertising for a new minister.

"In the last six years Rabbi Lewis has been excellent. He is loved throughout the community and has really unified it.

"There is a lot of sadness he is going but we wish him the best in Bowdon. They are getting a first-class rabbi."