As part of its strategy of supporting regional congregations, the Movement for Reform Judaism has appointed Sarita Robinson as northern communities development worker.

Ms Robinson will be based in Hull, where she is vice-chair of the local Reform synagogue. She is excited at the prospect of working with “our amazing northern communities.

“There is a huge amount of innovation taking place in our synagogues and I am looking forward to sharing this, bolstering links across the region.”

Community development director Pam Goldsmith said Ms Robinson’s “passion and enthusiasm for Reform Judaism and her excellent project management and people skills will be an enormous asset. Sarita’s role will be to empower our northern communities to be the best they can be and deliver the 2015 northern strategy, which will potentially include managing a team of rabbis who will support geographical clusters of communities.”

Reform has communities in Bradford, Darlington, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool, Southport and Glasgow. Although no new congregations are in the pipeline, the movement is working with York Jews “to help ensure there is support for the continuation of Jewish life in the city”.