Cardiff Reform Synagogue expects to fill its longstanding rabbincal vacancy by Rosh Hashanah.

After the sudden resignation of Rabbi Charles Middleburgh a year ago, the shul waited nine months to begin a search for his successor. Synagogue council member Stanley Soffa - who is one of a group of five selecting the new part-time minister - said the delay had been intended to demonstrate its self-sufficiency.

"We wanted people to realise that though it's important when a rabbi leaves, it's not the end of the world. We have four really good wardens and another three members of the community who are perfectly capable of taking services.

"We're fortunate in that and we felt we'd give it a period of time [before starting a search] - a mourning period."

However, Mr Soffa added that a shortlist of rabbis had now been drawn up - and a second round of interviews was ongoing. Some of the candidates were currently with other congregations.

"We've been impressed with the quality," he said. "Each of them has come to us for a weekend so the members could enjoy them leading the service. We now have the daunting task of deciding which one or two we want to put before our council - and then the membership. September 1 is the date we're aiming for."

Mr Soffa did acknowledge that a rabbi would offer congregants an extra dimension of spiritual care.