Hendon Adath Yisroel Synagogue remains hopeful that the Canadian rabbi chosen to be its next leader will be able to join, despite the shul having re-advertised the position last week.

Members of the congregation were surprised to see an advert in the Orthodox press for the ministerial post, which has remained vacant since the retirement of Rabbi Pinchas Roberts in January 2015.

The congregation voted in December to appoint Rabbi Shloime Yitzchok Bixenspanner from Toronto as successor to Rabbi Roberts, who had headed the strictly Orthodox community for 50 years.

An email to congregants at the end of last week explained that the management board had "now begun the process of applying for a work permit" for Rabbi Bixenspanner.

Under immigration rules, the synagogue has to show that it has made reasonable efforts to recruit a local candidate.

We are working through Home Office requirements

Hendon Adath was "currently working our way through the Home Office requirements", members were told.

"Placing an advert in an appropriate publication is one of these requirements."