Leeds Jews are being invited to shape the future of the community at an event next month which is supported by all the main local organisations.

The cross-communal gathering is being co-ordinated by Leeds Jewish Representative Council, whose executive director, Susie Gordon, said it was important to initiate discussions not just on gaps in provision but on the community people wanted to create.

Using an “open space” format, with some professional hosts to help, there would be numerous discussion opportunities for participants.

“It can be about anything they are interested in — they just have to care about it. They will set the agenda. It is not intended to be transactional but transformational.”

Ms Gordon equated it to “planting a seed. It’s the beginnings of a conversation. It will then be a question of how we take it forward.”

With an estimated Jewish population of 8,000, Leeds is the UK’s third largest community with facilities including primary and high schools, a youth centre, welfare board and a residential home.

The JC has reported that two of its main Orthodox synagogues, Beth Hamidrash Hagadol and Etz Chaim, have been in exploratory talks over a merger.