Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue members have overwhelmingly approved the appointment of Rabbi Daniel Epstein as their new minister. Hundreds turned up to vote after the rabbi joined the community for Shabbat.

Raised in London, Rabbi Epstein made aliyah in 1998 and has worked in marketing and fundraising. He is currently continuing his studies in practical communal rabbinics and expects to start at CNSS in summer, succeeding Rabbi Yisroel Fine, who retired in January.

Rabbi Epstein said he was "humbled" to be joining a synagogue which had grown "from small beginnings almost 70 years ago into a diverse, vibrant and dedicated group of people who take tremendous pride in the community they have built and the multiple programmes they have developed".