Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger formally opened a £250,000 mikvah on the Oxford Chabad site before an audience of religious and civic personalities, students and local community members.

Named in honour of principal benefactor David Slager, the Slager Family Mikvah project was six years in the making. But as Oxford Chabad director Rabbi Eli Brackman pointed out, its establishment fulfils a vision dating back more than 150 years. Responding to a questionnaire from then Chief Rabbi Nathan Adler in the Oxford community’s earliest days, the four local families responded: “Not yet.”

Local Board of Deputies representative Helena Harper said “the opening of a mikvah here has the utmost significance for the future of Anglo-Jewry outside the major centres.” It will operate under London Beth Din supervision.