Oliver Dowden, Member of Parliament for Hertsmere, joined celebrations for the installation of Oliver Joseph as the new Rabbi of the Elstree & Borehamwood Masorti Synagogue.

Ceremonies were led by the Masorti Senior Rabbi, Jonathan Wittenberg.

Following the event on Sunday, Oliver said: ‘It was a pleasure to join the Elstree & Borehamwood shul for the investiture of their new Rabbi and to celebrate the Masorti Synagogue’s 10th Anniversary.

‘I have spent a lot of time in the last year and half since I was elected visiting the wide variety of communities that we have in Hertsmere – civic, religious and charitable. The Jewish community is a very important part of our life in Hertsmere and I was delighted to be able to make my first visit to a Masorti community.

‘In common with the rest of the Jewish community in Borehamwood, the Masorti community is going from strength to strength. Like me, Rabbi Joseph is new and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead to serve our community to the best of our abilities. I am sure he will be a wonderful guiding hand in this community.

‘I was also able to update members of the shul on the work that I am doing to support the Jewish community in Parliament, including raising anti-semitism with the Prime Minister at PMQs and promoting Holocaust remembrance. It was great to be able to re-affirm my commitment to the Jewish community with the members of this young and growing shul.’

Alongside his role as Member of Parliament for Hertsmere, Oliver is also a Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews and is an officer in the Conservative Friends of Israel.