Leeds Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue has elected Rosalind Peters as president of the shul, the first woman to hold that position in the city.

"Who would have thought when I was invited to be shul secretary 23 years ago that now I am spearheading a new era at the shul," Mrs Peters said.

Mrs Peters is passionate about leading the 1,200-member shul into its next chapter. "It's going to be a challenge, but it's a challenge I'm proud to be tackling alongside my new team."

Plans for the future are to encourage parents and grandparents to bring their children to Shabbat children's services and to make the occasions more vibrant. With a youth activities agenda lined up she anticipates "the building should be buzzing at the weekend - parents are the people who can make this happen".

She acknowledged the hard work and compassion brought to the congregation by the shul's rabbonim, Jason Kleiman and Mendel Sufrin, helping to make the synagogue "a welcoming community", and looked forward to working with the shul's volunteers and office staff.

Outgoing shul president Leon Davidson said: "No lady deserves the honour more of being made the first female shul president in Leeds."