The Movement for Reform Judaism has issued a statement in an attempt to head off a permanent split with its oldest congregation, West London Synagogue. 

WLS suspended its membership of the movement a year and a half ago. 

In the statement, issued late on Monday, MRJ said it was aware that West London’s board was considering “asking its members whether to end their affiliation” to the movement. 

MRJ would be “extremely disappointed if the West London congregation votes to sever all ties with us. If an EGM is called, we are sure members of West London will question why termination of membership is being proposed.” 

However, in a message to WLS members, synagogue chair Andrew Stone wrote to correct “rumours that may be circulating that agreement has been reached for WLS to leave MRJ”. 

Although discussions were moving toward a conclusion, he added, no final agreement had been reached. “It follows that some of the rumours… are inaccurate.

"When and if there is a final agreement, as I am very hopeful will be the case, your board will make recommendations to you, our congregants, and if appropriate will call an EGM.” 

WLS suspended its membership of the movement in February 2020, criticising MRJ for a lack of consultation over the announcement of a new code of ethics which it said was “unhelpful”. 

At the time, the synagogue was considering allegations of bullying made against its designate joint senior rabbi, David Mitchell. An independent review headed by former High Court judge Sir Michael Burton subsequently found there were no grounds to block his appointment and Rabbi Mitchell took up his position in April last year. 

In its statement this week, MRJ said its board had “worked tirelessly, together with the chair and vice-chair of West London over the past year and a half in a spirit of friendship and reconciliation”. 

Mr Stone told members that the WLS had “worked co-operatively with the MRJ leadership towards a resolution of the long-term position”. 

WLS remained committed, he said, “to supporting the wider Progressive Jewish movement, to continuing our longstanding support for the Leo Baeck College and to sustaining an amicable ongoing relationship with MRJ and its constituent members”.