A festival celebrating the Torah was held at a synagogue yesterday (September 4).

Rabbi Richard Jacobi led the celebratory service for Simchat Torah festival, which included a visit from Ilford's Bet Tikva Progressive Synagogue on Sunday evening at Woodford Liberal Synagogue, in Marlborough Road, South Woodford.

The Torah scrolls were paraded round the sanctuary with singing and Israeli dancing and refreshments.

Celebrations continued throughout the evening with traditional blessing over wine followed by a finger buffet.

Bob Kamall, Woodford Liberal Synagogue's joint vice chair, said: “We have had a wonderful evening sharing this special occasion with our friends from Bet Tikva.”