The United Synagogue has had no trouble selling its tribute event to Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, an interview with him before an audience conducted by Sir David Frost in May. All 2,000 tickets were snapped up in three days.

Lord Sacks will deliver his final address in office at 11.30 pm on August 31 before the start of the US’s annual Selichot service. When midnight strikes, his tenure will end.

The following day, his successor Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis will be installed at a service at St John’s Wood Synagogue, the same date, September 1, on which Lord Sacks was installed 22 years ago.