Kehillah North London held an inauguration service and kiddush to officially welcome Rabbi Leah Jordan as the community’s minister.

Although Rabbi Jordan joined the congregation last year, the ceremony had been postponed due to the pandemic.

Held on Shabbat, the inauguration was attended by local community leaders, including the Mayor of Hackney, Phil Glanville, councillors and representatives from a local church and the Kurdish community.

Liberal Judaism chair Ruth Seager, national officer for inclusion Owen Power and CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky also attended.

“This was such a wonderful day and really felt like the cementing of something beautiful,” Rabbi Jordan said.

“It made me feel more grateful than ever to be Kehillah’s rabbi and I look forward to great things in our shared future.”

Kehillah chair Robert Freudenthal noted that the rabbi had joined “during a particularly challenging time. She has already done a remarkable job in keeping us all connected and growing the community.”

In formally celebrating her as the community’s minister, “it was particularly special to be able to invite community and Liberal Judaism leaders to join us”.