Rabbi Haim Shalom charmed congregants at his induction as Menorah (Cheshire Reform) minister as his two-year-old son Aviv joined him on the bimah.

“Menorah understands that we need to give a proper Jewish education to our children,” he said. “We already have a well organised cheder but we must strive to go beyond the models we have used in the past. We must connect our young people with all the available local, regional and national frameworks, in particular RSY Netzer and their excellent summer camps.”

Conducting the ceremony, Reform movement rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner said Rabbi Shalom was an outstanding educator who would “expand the vision and possibilities of this vibrant and warm community”.

Menorah is the first ministerial post for Manchester-born Rabbi Shalom, 33, since he was ordained in 2010 at the Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem, where he then taught. He replaces Rabbi Brian Fox, who served Menorah for almost 12 years before moving to Jerusalem.