A group of young people who could be the leaders of tomorrow have celebrated the end of their training.

Edgware and District Reform Synagogue, in Stonegrove, held a ceremony to mark the graduation of its Hadracha course, a two year leadership and work experience programme.

Graduates were treated to a surprise video message from comedian Matt Lucas, who studied the same programme as a teenager.

He congratulated them and reminisced about his time at the synagogue. Barnet deputy mayor, Councillor Alison Cornelius, and Libby Burkeman, of The Movement for Reform Judaism, were special guests at the ceremony on Tuesday, June 30.

Emma Senitt, EDRS director of youth, said: “It was a huge success, we are so proud of what this group have achieved over the past two years. Many of them have been attending clubs at EDRS since they were young.

“We have seen them all grow and develop into wonderful role models, and it’s fantastic that they now want to give back to the community that has given them so much.”