More than 100 past and present St Albans Masorti members attended a party to celebrate its 21st birthday, remembering its formative years and looking to the future — an impending move to its own building.

The celebrations, held at Clore Shalom Primary in Shenley, included reminiscences from founder members Nick Grant and Jackie Gess, former cheder head Moira Hart and the shul’s first shidduch, Ruth and David Rabin.

They recalled the various venues where services had been held, the rabbis who had led the community and some of the many social events from the past 21 years. As for recent recruits, new member Vicky Bullon thanked the community for making her family so welcome.

Other speakers were former minister Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, who talked of his fondness for the shul and his pride in his association with it. Current rabbi Rafi Kaiserblueth declared: “I feel blessed to be part of this congregation.”

Co-chair Dr Jonathan Freedman pointed out that even though the congregation was about to acquire its first permanent home, “a building can never be special in its own right.
“Its specialness and holiness comes about as a result of the individuals that inhabit it.”