11 Nov 2025
Members of the St Albans United Synagogue community – the oldest-established Jewish community in Hertfordshire – gathered for a special celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the induction of Rabbi Daniel Sturgess as rabbi of the synagogue, alongside his wife Alli.
The couple were honoured for a decade of inspiring leadership, warmth and commitment.
The unique occasion – prior to the Sturgesses’ arrival, the community had been without a spiritual leader for 50 years – was graced by the presence of the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE, who paid tribute to the unwavering dedication of both Rabbi Daniel and Alli and the role they had played in the remarkable growth of the congregation.
When the couple first arrived, the synagogue had just 160 members; today, nearly 11 years later, it has flourished, now totalling over 350 members and becoming the second fastest-growing community in the United Synagogue fold – a testament to their hard work, compassion and vision.
“I have been inspired,” the Chief Rabbi told guests, “to witness the success of the remarkable match between this wonderful community and their outstanding leaders.
“This is a community that loves their rabbi, and a rabbi that loves their community, so much so that you want to celebrate this special relationship.”
The programme for the occasion included an array of tributes from members, ranging from a dissertation on the many duties of the perfect rabbi, through a slide show of the highlights of the Sturgess duo’s endeavours over the past 10 years to a song, ‘I am the Very Model of a Modern US Rabbi’, a parody of the Major-General’s number by Gilbert and Sullivan, composed by the synagogue’s chair, Elissa Da Costa-Waldman, who also introduced the event.
As well as expressing the community’s gratitude for the couple’s tireless service, achievements and lasting impact, she pointed out, to much laughter, that the rabbi’s sermons were so popular that, unusually, no-one ever fell asleep during them.
“We look forward with excitement to the years ahead; we hope you and your lovely family will be with us for more decades to come,
and that you will continue to be as loved and appreciated as you are today.”
The synagogue, which opened on its present site close to the city centre in 1951, will next year be celebrating the 75th anniversary of its foundation.
