A synagogue at Borehamwood’s Yavneh College was formally consecrated at a special service last Thursday.

Ill-health prevented the attendance of Arthur (Avrohom) Dolland of Edgware, who funded the synagogue to mark his 100th birthday earlier this year. But Lady Jakobovits, United Synagogue president Simon Hochhauser, his Board of Deputies counterpart Henry Grunwald and educational philanthropist Benjamin Perl joined the school’s 120 year-eight pupils, whose Aaron Carr led the service.

The event also incorporated the barmitzvah of Samuel Gordon, son of Yavneh governors’ chair Malcolm Gordon and the dedication of the adjoining £25,000 Cyril Harris Library, in memory of the South African Chief Rabbi and St John’s Wood Synagogue minister. The dedication was performed by Cyril Harris’s son — the Hampstead Synagogue minister Rabbi Michael Harris.

The Ohel Avrohom Synagogue, as it is officially known, has been in regular use since the beginning of the academic year. Designed by Robert Budwit, its Ark is set into a wall of mosaic and Jerusalem stone. Other features are a glass bimah, upholstered pews, and a hand-crafted mechitzah.