The first female Scandinavian rabbi is part of a new ministerial team at Liberal Judaism's central London headquarters.

Sandra Kviat was one of four Progressive rabbis ordained on Sunday by Leo Baeck College at a service at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John's Wood. She will mainly advise on the educational content of national and congregational ventures.

Why are you standing for the presidency?

Stephen Pack: To secure the future of the United Synagogue for the next generation. I have a deep passion for the US - it is a remarkable organisation, and has many excellent communities, but it now needs some new initiatives to ensure it continues to flourish.

Peter Zinkin: I believe in the power of the US to be a force for good in our community.

Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation's singing and guitar-playing Rabbi Danny Bergson, affectionately known as "Rockin' Rabbi Danny", has been named as the new minister of Pinner Synagogue.

The arrest this week of the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Arba, Dov Lior, on suspicion of incitement has provoked outrage from the religious right and a rare statement by the Attorney General that "no one is above the law".

Rabbi Lior, one of the spiritual leaders of the settlers, had already been questioned by police five months ago.

Leadership, the economy and faith in times of crisis were among topics discussed by Gordon Brown and the Chief Rabbi before the 250 guests at a Hendon Synagogue gala dinner.

The former prime minister was participating in the inaugural Hardman Conversation, in memory of the community's long-time minister, Reverend Leslie Hardman.

A leading United Synagogue rabbi was a guest speaker at the launch of an exhibition on Islam at London's flagship mosque.

Dayan Isaac Binstock, a member of the London Beth Din and senior rabbi of St John's Wood Synagogue, participated in last Thursday's opening of Exhibition Islam at the London Central Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre, Regent's Park.

He sits on the Council of Imams and Rab