Rabbi Janet Darley is the new minister of Streatham-based South London Synagogue and its second woman rabbi after Baroness Julia Neuberger.

Born in Utah, Rabbi Darley moved to England in 1989. She took an active role in the Kingston Liberal congregation and was a senior economics lecturer at Kingston University before deciding to pursue her rabbinic dream.

She served South London as student rabbi in the final year of her studies at Leo Baeck College and believes Leo Baeck gave her “a solid foundation in both traditional Jewish texts and modern Progressive Jewish learning.”

Synagogue president Jerome Walker said: “The appointment of Janet renews our commitment to provide a Liberal Jewish centre of vibrant religious, cultural and communal activity.”