Rabbi Ariel Abel, part-time minister of the Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation since 2013, is moving to the city, allowing him to devote more time to the Princes Road shul.

The minister has lived in the North Lancashire town of Darwen since 2014 and in Manchester before that.

Rabbi Abel, 44 this month, was first appointed by the congregation in 1999 as a full-time minister. After three years at Princes Road, he moved on to serve communities in Waltham Forest and Radlett.

Following a law degree, he is completing a legal practice course.

“Increasingly, I find that greater expertise in Jewish legal and secular legal knowledge leads to safer rabbinic decision-making,” Rabbi Abel said.

He and his wife Shulamit have been active in interfaith work, particularly with Sufi Muslims and refugees.

Princes Road was built in 1874 and is one of the three Grade I-listed synagogues in England.

Its new chair is Saul Marks, 38, who is delighted by the rabbi’s return to Liverpool.

“We’ve worked with him for many years in different capacities and his move here means he’ll be able to provide us, and indeed the whole Liverpool Jewish community, with a more complete ministerial service.

“We’re encouraged by the recent attendance of several students and young families at Princes Road. These are both groups we’re working hard to encourage. We provide more children’s services and parties than we did five years ago.”

Rabbi Abel said his move was “a homecoming. Many of my ancestors were born on Mill Road, Everton. Liverpool is the city where my wife and I have most friends.

“We look forward to widening our portfolio in the city, with a view to providing, by arrangement, kosher meals and hospitality for tourists, campus staff and students at the local universities.”