"I've been the vice-chair of Belmont Synagogue for four years. I feel that, having done my apprenticeship as it were, I can now stand for chair.

"I did feel that is was unfair before that women could not stand. Surely every organisation wants the best person for the job. It can be a man or a woman, as happens in business, but the best person should get the position.

"The chair and vice-chair roles have become administrative and don't deal with the religious side of things. It's very important that the rabbi and chairman interact well and respect each other's decisions. I don't feel yichud is a problem. If you have to have a meeting with a rabbi, you can use email, phone or text. You don't have to sit in a room alone.

"When women were first appointed on the boards of management, there was quite a furore. But we all got used to it and now the majority of committees are chaired by ladies – they play a big part in that.

"It's been a slow process but I hope one day we can see women as trustees and a woman president.

"With women now having the opportunity to be more involved, the US will appeal to the younger generation".