Lord Sacks performed one of his last inductions as Chief Rabbi for the Rev David Rome at Catford and Bromley Synagogue.

He told the congregation of 400, including four south London mayors and senior clergy, that, for him, the occasion was summarised by the Beatles song Hello, Goodbye. “As one door closes another opens, Reverend Rome says hello and I say goodbye.”

Mr Rome is the grandson of Rabbi Judah Rockman, who led the Catford and Bromley community for more than 45 years.

“I do not know of anyone who served Anglo-Jewry longer and with more distinction than Rabbi Rockman and what a wonderful privilege to be inducting his grandson,” Lord Sacks said. “ This is a sign of a unique connection between a specific family and community”.

Mr Rome, United Synagogue president Stephen Pack and Catford and Bromley chair Gerald Rose also addressed the gathering.