An evening of reminiscence launched the 40th anniversary celebrations of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree.

More than 100 members and friends, including Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich, packed the Hertfordshire shul to hear past and present leaders recall its history.

TLSE started life as the “wandering community” of Stanmore Liberal Jewish Congregation, with services held in a variety of private homes and halls. It moved to permanent premises in a former Elstree school in 1977 and changed its name to Hertsmere Progressive Synagogue.

Memories were shared by community chair Val Dickson and former ministers Rabbi Thomas Salamon, Rabbi Alan Mann and Rabbi Jonathan Black, the latter by video message from Australia.

Dressed for the part and accompanied by Jon Fiber, current rabbi Pete Tobias got the audience laughing with some rewritten lyrics to songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

A TLSE spokesman said the evening was both “a wonderful tribute to those who have dedicated an enormous amount of their lives to the community, and a celebration of its continuing growth”.

Other events during the year include a civic service and a singalong showing of the film of Mamma Mia.