Watford Synagogue hosted an ‘Encounters’ learning day with six United Synagogue communities in Hertfordshire and Luton.

Organisers said the annual event was "highly successful" and was attended by more than 90 people on Sunday, June 14.

The UK’s Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, delivered a talk on three of his own role models.

He said: "This collaboration between six communities getting together for the sake of Jewish education is something fantastic."

Participants were able to choose from a range of topics, including shechita and kashrut - the Jewish religious method of slaughtering permitted animals and poultry for food, saving life on the Sabbath, standing up for Israel, Jewish soldiers through the ages, and biblical fathers-in-law.

Speakers included One Family UK chief executive Andrew Alexander, co-chair of NI Friends of Israel Steven Jaffe, Jewish educator Doreen Samuels, Licensed Kosher Butchers’ Association chair Jackie Lipowicz, Dr Mark Semler and the Jewish chaplain to HM Forces Rabbi Reuben Livingstone.

Ministers from the sponsoring synagogues also faced a series of searching questions in a popular ‘Ask the Rabbi’ session.

Watford’s Rabbi Ephraim Levine said: "This successful event shows what smaller communities can achieve by working together.

"I’d like to thank the Chief Rabbi for making time in his busy calendar to come and address us and the organisers for all their hard work arranging this wonderful day."

Five of Herts Plus One was set up two years ago by Luton, Potters Bar, Shenley, St Albans, Watford and Welwyn Garden City Synagogues with the aim of sharing problems, discussing issues of mutual concern and planning joint events, believing that together they might accomplish more than would be possible individually.

Anyone wishing to register their interest in taking part in next year’s event should email reynoldrosenberg@yahoo.co.uk.