The second US synagogue in Edgware, Ahavas Israel, welcomed around 100 people for services during its inaugural weekend at the Langdon College premises.

Members of the nearby Yeshurun Federation Synagogue had expressed concern about losing members to Ahavas Yisrael, which the US claims was set up to satisfy growing local demand.But minister Dayan Elimelech Vanzetta - who has conducted Friday-night services for Yeshurun in an informal capacity - denied that relations were strained.

In an address to the new congregation, he compared its diversity to the different groups which were attracted to Mount Sinai for the giving of the Ten Commandments.

Ahavas Israel is expected to apply for full US membership within the next few months. US president Stephen Pack said the signs from the first Shabbat were "very positive. We think it's going to be great. We want it to be an official US shul and the members to be US members."