The Jewish Teachers' Association is to concentrate on improving links with the National Union of Teachers in the coming year.

At its annual meeting, the JTA agreed to focus on assisting newly-qualified teachers and increasing support for Holocaust Memorial Day during the 2013-14 academic year.

Hundreds of Jewish teachers from around Britain discussed the NUT's recent conference. In January the JTA had encouraged teachers to join unions in order to combat anti-Israel rhetoric.

Allison Zionts was appointed as the new JTA chair. Outgoing chair Flora Richards said: "Alli is a Canadian teacher living in Brixton and working in Croydon; with her enthusiasm and skills in community organising, the JTA is in very safe hands."

Ms Zionts had been living until recently in the Moishe House communal home in north west London.