To meet the needs of close on 3,000 members, Mill Hill Synagogue has appointed an assistant ministerial couple, Rabbi James and Sarah Proops, who will start work in June.

The post - funded significantly by Tribe, the United Synagogue's youth arm - involves working with young people, newly-weds and young families.

Mill Hill chair Jason Greenspan said the Proops would help "foster the increased levels of engagement we have seen recently from all parts of the community".

Rabbi Proops, 31, attended City of London School, after which he studied in Israel and gained a degree in international history and politics from Leeds University. He has been youth director at Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue, organising social and educational activities and trips within the UK and abroad.

He said he and his wife were "extremely excited to join a vibrant and growing community and look forward to enhancing Jewish life in Mill Hill".