By JC Reporter
Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden was among the 120 guests as Elstree and Borehamwood Masorti Synagogue celebrated both its 10th anniversary and the arrival of Rabbi Oliver Joseph.
On a day geared towards families, dozens of children enjoyed face painting, arts and crafts and singing supervised by leaders of the Noam youth movement.
Mr Dowden stressed the importance of religious communities in his constituency and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Masorti's senior minister, read out congratulatory messages from Rabbi Joseph's teachers in Israel and America.
Rabbi Joseph said that having been raised within Masorti Judaism, "it has been a pleasure to get to know this new and dynamic community that is showing so much potential for inclusive, thoughtful Judaism. I feel blessed to have so much support here today and am excited for what we can achieve together over the next 10 years."