A rabbi who originally worked in the family car dealership in Glasgow is the man to drive Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation forward, Lord Sacks said on Sunday.

Addressing around 400 members and guests at the induction of Rabbi Adrian Jesner, he observed that Rabbi Jesner had passed his road test with flying colours and would lead the community on an enriching journey.

Rabbi Jesner served Glasgow synagogues and Reading Hebrew Congregation before joining the Bournemouth shul in February 2008. He said he and his wife Pamela had been warmly welcomed.

“We are both happy to be here in Bournemouth and would like to build on the work of the previous incumbents. Our main thrust is the pastoral care of the community.”

Among difficult decisions to be faced would be a move from its Wootton Gardens premises to a more suitable location.

BHC president Harvey Lipsith said the Jesners’ impact had been so powerful “that is difficult to remember what life was like before their arrival”.