Two mergers involving Essex and east London congregations were this week ratified by the United Synagogue council.

Members of the Clayhall and Newbury Park shuls voted overwhelmingly for merger last month and their combined community will be known as Redbridge United Synagogue. A few weeks later, Wanstead and Woodford Synagogue and the independent Waltham Forest Hebrew Congregation also agreed to join forces, under the title of Woodford Forest United Synagogue.