Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain has been appointed as chair of Dignity in Dying, an organisation which campaigns for assisted dying.

The leading Reform rabbi will become the first religious leader to head the group, which supports greater end-of-life choices for terminally ill, mentally competent adults.

The minister of Maidenhead Synagogue in Berkshire, who used to oppose assisted dying, said that he now supported a change in law “because of my beliefs, not in spite of them”, adding: “I am deeply aware of the value of life, but having seen people die in pain from terminal illnesses, often begging doctors or relatives to help them end their life early, I also know that letting go of life can be the right and moral decision.”

As UK law currently stands, assisted dying in any form is illegal, carrying the risk of investigation, prosecution and a prison sentence.

Rabbi Romain, who also chairs the Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying, said: “Religious priorities should be about compassion and care, and I challenge those who are putting their archaic idea of God above the needs of dying people.”

Rabbi Romain’s appointment comes at a critical time with the first ever Commons inquiry into assisted dying underway, with a report expected later this year.

The new chair has been welcomed by Dignity in Dying’s chief executive, Sarah Wootton, who said it “further serves to puncture the myth that religious leaders and their flocks oppose assisted dying.”

“Poll after poll demonstrates that the vast majority of people of faith recognise the urgent case for law change, as does the public at large.”

A survey carried out in 2021 by Dignity in Dying showed that 84 per cent of the British public favoured a change in the law, including 80 per cent of people of faith.

Rabbi Romain is taking over from cross-bench peer Baroness Meacher, who becomes honorary president. Baroness Meacher sponsored an Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Lords in 2021.

The Bill was opposed by the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, who said at the time that he believed the Bill did not sufficiently protect vulnerable people or set out adequate safeguards.

He joined the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster in calling for measures to make high-quality palliative care available to all at the end of their life.

According to Orthodox Judaism, any action which deliberately terminates life is prohibited, recognising the need to relieve a patient's pain and suffering.