One of the UK's largest congregations, Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue, has appointed its first associate rabbi following a nine-month search.

Israeli-born Boruch Boudilovsky will be joining the community in time for Succot. He attended schools and colleges in Israel and America and gained his semichah in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Boudilovsky served in the Israel Defence Forces as a paratrooper and most recently has been teaching children with mild learning disabilities at an Israeli school. He has also been a visiting rabbi and chazan for several Jerusalem synagogues.

Married with three young children, he is "exceptionally pleased to be joining the lively Borehamwood and Elstree US community at this crucial stage of its development. We look forward to contributing to its future growth."

Borehamwood minister Rabbi Naftali Brawer saw the appointment as "a bold and decisive step forward. By moving from a solo rabbi to a rabbinic team, we will be better able to serve our burgeoning membership and build for our future."