A Liberal Judaism group in Stevenage has held its first service, attracting 30 people to an open Shabbat.

Movement chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich said the service “is evidence that Liberal Judaism will go to any place where there are Jews who want to live their lives in a modern way but with Judaism as an integral part of it”.

The service resulted from an inquiry to Liberal Judaism by Terry Wolfe, who reported that “everyone who came had a positive attitude because they wanted to be part of the Jewish community.”

Mr Wolfe and his wife Gillian moved from Borehamwood to Stevenage two years ago to be near their daughter and grandchildren but found they missed the proximity to their community, The Liberal Synagogue Elstree. “A Liberal community in the area would enrich my life and that of my family,” he said.

Rabbis Rich and Pete Tobias led the service, held at the Gate Hotel.