The Ner Yisrael community in Hendon has appointed Rabbi Eliezer Zobin as its new minister after congregants voted “overwhelmingly in favour” of him succeeding Rabbi Alan Kimche, the synagogue’s founder.

Eighty-three per cent of the shul’s membership voted, with 95 per cent in favour of the appointment of Rabbi Zobin, who has served as associate minister since 2014.

In an email to congregants, Kerrin Rosenberg, chair of the trustees and advisory committee, and Jonathan Marriott, chair of the shul’s board, expressed “delight” at the outcome, describing it as “a huge endorsement.

“That the community has participated so enthusiastically in this process is a wonderful reaffirmation of the energy and vibrancy of Ner and a clear statement for the high regard in which Rabbi and Rebbetzin Zobin are held.

“We look forward to the next decades of our future with excitement, knowing that the baton of rabbinic leadership has been passed from one wonderful rabbinic couple to another.”

Rabbi Zobin told members that he and his wife felt “honoured and humbled by the outpouring of warmth, kindness, care and empathy that we have experienced over the weeks leading up to the vote.

“We wish to express our appreciation to the trustees, board and advisory committee for the incredible work and effort they have put into the selection process over the past couple of months.”

Founded in 1984, under the aegis of Rabbi Kimche and his wife Via, Ner Yisrael has grown from 15 families to one of the largest congregations in the Golders Green/Hendon area.

Having forewarned the congregation in 2017 of their intention to move to Israel, the Kimches informed members in September that they intended to make aliyah at the end of the year, “while we are still young enough to be able to contribute in some small way”.

Paying tribute to the Kimches, the Zobins said that over the past four years, “they have gone from being colleagues to friends and for that we thank them. No words can describe the rav’s generosity of spirit to us personally, nor his dedication to the community and its best interests.”

Rabbi Zobin — who has been combining his Ner Yisrael duties with his work at Immanuel College — will assume his new role at the beginning of February. Rabbi Kimche praised him for having made “a great impact on the kehillah.

“Speaking personally, he has been a pleasure to work with. Both myself and the Ner trustees and board recommended him to the community as my obvious successor and invited the kehillah to vote. According to our constitution, a rav needs a 75 per cent vote to be appointed. This past Friday the votes were all in and he got 95 per cent. Amazing!

“I am stepping down on January 31 after nearly 35 years. In February he is taking over and we move to Jerusalem.

“It gives me great pleasure to have such a talented and worthy successor.”