Rabbi Samuel Landau will leave Kingston, Surbiton and District United Synagogue after the High Holy-Days to undertake advanced Jewish studies in Israel and post-doctoral psychotherapy training.

The minister and his educator wife Shoshana have been at Kingston for four years. They decided to make the move because of the “window of opportunity” before their three-year-old daughter Yiska starts school. They plan to return to the UK after a year or two to serve the Jewish community once again.

They said they could not have asked for a more supportive congregation, board or honorary officers and would miss the friendship and love they had experienced.

Kingston chair Sheila Mann paid tribute to the couple’s “superb contribution. They have worked tirelessly and have provided inspirational leadership.” Their initiatives had included a kaddish club for members with yahrzeit and a cheder for adults.