The president of the United Synagogue has paid tribute to predecessor Peter Sheldon, who was made OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Mr Sheldon was recognised for his services to the Jewish community, which include a six-year stint as US president and leading roles in the British-Israel Chamber of Commerce, North West London Eruv Committee and London Beth Din’s Kashrut Division.

He is also chairman of Morasha Jewish Primary School, in Finchley, north west London.

Current US president Simon Hochhauser said Mr Sheldon had made a “remarkable contribution” across the community.

Mr Hochhauser said: “We are all proud of his founding of Tribe, as well as the work he did in bringing the US into the 21st Century.”

Benjamin Perl, Morasha’s honorary president, said: “In addition to Peter’s devoted work over so many years, he became the driving force behind the founding of Morasha… I salute him.”

Mr Sheldon said: “I’m delighted at how much Tribe has grown. We also sorted out a lot of the legacy problems of the past [at the US] and handed over an organisation which was… thriving.”