The Remembrance Day service at Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation was the first public engagement for Rev Aharon Soudry as the official minister of the community.

Mr Soudry had been conducting services for the congregation for two months as a temporary measure since the departure of Rabbi Danny Bergson.

His previous appointment at Garnethill Hebrew Congregation came to an end in August 2010. Mr Soudry was given notice after disagreements with congregants, following mediation he was briefly reinstated but shortly afterwards he resigned. Speaking of his new role Mr Soudry said: "My wife and I are very pleased. The congregation is terrific and there are lots of young families. We are very happy with the appointment especially after the hard times at Garnethill."

However, a permanent rabbi is not currently being sought for the congregation, which is the midst of merger discussions with Giffnock and Newlands Hebrew Congregation.

Brian Fox, chair of the congregation, said: "We are not proceeding with a replacement rabbi at this time until the merger situation is sorted out. In the meantime Aharon Soudry is continuing as our minister."