The arrival of Nick and Shira Kett as the new rabbi and rebbetzin at Radlett United Synagogue marks “the start of a new and exciting era” for the congregation, community leaders have said.

The Ketts, who received more than 99 per cent of the vote from the community’s 600 members, hope to take up their posts in November.

They are currently the community rabbinic couple at Bushey & District United Synagogue.

Rabbi Kett, a former JFS pupil, said he hoped to meet with each member to “ensure we get to connect with everyone in a meaningful way”.

He said that juggling a busy family — the couple have four children — with taking on a new community only works because “[the children] are all as excited about it as we are”, adding jokingly: “They are better at this job than we are!”

Rebbetzin Kett, who grew up in Hendon, told the JC: “We are excited to meet the community and really get to know them.”

Rabbi Kett studied for the rabbinate at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh in Jerusalem before going on to study law at Manchester University.

Shira trained as a professional wig stylist and hairdresser and is also a painter and graphic designer, having worked in her family’s interior design business.

The former Hasmonean student said she was “passionate” about social and educational programming for women.

Stephen Grossman, chair of Radlett United Synagogue, said: “We are all so excited to have Rabbi Nick and Shira joining us as our new rabbinic couple.

“They will officially start in the lead- up to Chanukah, and I could not think of a better present for our community.”

He said it was “the start of a very new and exciting era for Radlett United Synagogue, which I am certain will bring the community together and back into shul and help the entire building become a vibrant community centre.”

Bushey United Synagogue’s former rabbi and rebbetzin, Jonathan and Chana Hughes, stepped down earlier this year.