The new chairman of Bushey United Synagogue has spoken of "a strong mutual respect" between board members despite three officers having resigned since his election.

Sas Ezekiel, a member of the Hertfordshire congregation for nearly 30 years, was voted in at the AGM, defeating the incumbent, Stephen Roston, who had stood for re-election.

On announcement of the result, the previous vice-chairman, Mark Abrahams, walked out of the meeting. The other board members who resigned were Mr Roston's wife, Bettina, and Sarah Mendelsohn, the wife of another ex-chairman.

According to David Kaplan, community services director for the US, Mr Abrahams "stood up when he found out Mr Roston had lost and said: 'I'm resigning because I can't work with the new chair.'"

Although wishing his successor "mazeltov", Mr Roston felt "it was unnecessary to have an election. I don't think he should have stood. He could have waited a year.

Am I upset personally? Yes

"I totally support everyone who resigned. They did so because they felt our community should not have been going through what they went through for the election.

"But I do wish the shul and the board only good things. Am I upset personally? Yes. I would have liked to see my last year out by saying goodbye to Rabbi [Meir] Salasnik and by helping the new rabbi, Elchonon Feldman, who I was instrumental in getting into the shul."

Mr Ezekiel, 62 - whose company imports and distributes designer bathroom and bedroom items - said he had "approached and written to" Mrs Roston and Mrs Mendelsohn, "explaining that I would be happy to work with them in the future".

However, Mr Kaplan could "imagine Mrs Roston not wanting to be on the board anymore. The previous vice-chairman probably thought his position was untenable because he was so linked with the previous chairman.

"I think it was one of those heat of the moment things. It came as a surprise to many people."

Mr Abrahams did not return calls from the JC.

Stuart Bloom, who has been on the Bushey board for 16 years, said that those who resigned had done so for "predominantly social reasons".

They left "with our heartfelt thanks and best wishes".