By
Stephanie Brickman
Edinburgh's Liberal congregation, Sukkat Shalom, formally welcomed Rabbi Mark Solomon as minister at an induction ceremony on Sunday attended by 100 people.
The induction was performed by Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich and in his remarks, Rabbi Solomon stressed his pride at leading a congregation which involved itself in the wider community.
Representatives of other faiths and Labour politician Gavin Strang were among the guests.
The service ended with the congregation singing Adon Olam to the tune of the Burns song, My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose. Sukkat Shalom chair Dr Gillian Raab said the occasion had been "very moving".
Although appointed late last year, Rabbi Solomon's association with the shul dates back to 2005, when he was its "foster rabbi" through an informal arrangement. He is also rabbi to Manchester Liberal Jewish Community and associate chair of Liberal Judaism's rabbinic board. He is also well known for interfaith work and for pioneering the rights of gay Jews.