“We said we cannot let the work go. If that means some uncomfortable and difficult decisions — and difficult for me particularly — then we follow through.”
Reform movement chairman Jenny Pizer praised Mr Rich’s contribution to “promoting Reform Jewish values and raising the profile of the movement in the wider community and beyond”.
The movement has just recruited Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers from West London as its new educator to serve congregations across the country.
Mr Rich said : “When we looked at how we could continue to take out back room costs, frankly the CEO’s role is a pretty expensive overhead”.
The movement’s last published accounts, in 2011, do not give a figure for the post but state that its highest-earning employee was in the £90,000-£100,000 salary bracket.
Ms Pizer said: “We have to look very carefully at how we spend our money. To focus on the back offices is not what our communities want.”
