A synagogue welcomed its new rabbi into its community with a special inauguration ceremony.

St Albans Masorti Synagogue (SAMS), based in Campfield Road, celebrated the appointment of Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffett.

Around 130 people attended the event, including people from St Albans and the wider community.

Another five rabbis were present at the ceremony, with former parish rabbi Jeremy Gordon describing his successor as having “a deep emotional intelligence”.

And Rabbi Roni Tabick of Stoke Newington Masorti, who studied with Rabbi Adam at the Jewish Theological Seminary, spoke of their friendship and their shared love for Jewish mysticism.

There was a musical performance from St Albans-based progressive bluegrass band SKRAM and chazzan Jaclyn Chernett gave the priestly blessing.

After Rabbi Adam and his partner Mikayla had agreed to join the community, his mentors from the US – Rabbi Daniel Nevins and Rabbi Mark Greenspan – spoke of his attributes and formally welcomed him to the synagogue.

Cllr Mohammad Iqbal Zia, the Mayor of St Albans, spoke of the multi-cultural qualities of the city and explained how everyone works together towards a goal of inclusivity.

After prayers and pauses for thought, Rabbi Adam got the chance to recite from the SAMS Torah scroll which, according to those in attendance, “made the room swell with pride”.