Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg was moved by the tribute of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis at his induction service at Woodford Forest United Synagogue, which was attended by 250 people.

"He spoke about my personal qualities, about my community service and about getting involved, not because it was good for me, but because it was the right thing to do, which I really appreciated," Rabbi Wollenberg said afterwards.

He is the first minister of the east London congregation formed by the merger of Waltham Forest Hebrew Congregation and Wanstead and Woodford United Synagogue last year.

More than a dozen ministers attended the induction, which Rabbi Wollenberg said reflected "the respect and friendship between the different rabbis in our area. We meet regularly and there's genuine trust."

Rabbi Wollenberg -who previously served the Childwall congregation in Liverpool - said he and his wife had become involved in wider Redbridge Jewish life. "I'm deeply immersed with my work for King Solomon High School, Jewish Care and others."