The new chairman of the Jewish Committee for HM Forces has urged the community to be more supportive of its servicemen.

Mancunian Martin Newman is saddened that “our Jewish personnel don’t enjoy the same moral and financial support from the community as our American colleagues. We want British Jewry to show the same pride in our troops, brave young men and women who are putting their lives on the line for our freedom.”

He reported significant progress in restoring kosher rations and providing Yomtov care packages. The committee relied on the efforts of its restructured charity, Friends of Jewish Ser-vicemen and Women.

An announcement is imminently expected on the appointment of a full-time Jewish chaplain.

Mr Newman replaces Alan Tyler, who becomes the committee’s president, with Alfred Dunitz as president emeritus. Former temporary United Synagogue chief executive Stuart Taylor will be vice-chairman.