The Assembly of Reform Rabbis has voted in a new chair, Rabbi Tony Hammond, who takes over from Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, and will serve a two-year term of office.

Rabbi Hammond, minister at Bromley Reform, said: “My aim is to lead the assembly in engaging with the ‘21st century synagogue’, in responding to tension between tradition and change.”

At the AGM of the Reform Movement, chair Stephen Moss thanked Rabbi Romain who “has done a sterling job in revitalising the assembly.”

Meanwhile, at this week’s Reform Movement AGM former chairman Michael Grabiner was elected vice-president, Cliff Siegal became an honorary vice-president and David Tilles has joined the Reform board.