Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich reported a three per cent rise in membership to the movement’s annual patrons dinner, held at the House of Lords.

For the third successive year, there was also the addition of a new community, this time North Herts Progressive.

In a first, the dinner was addressed by an Israeli ambassdor, Daniel Taub, and Rabbi Rich looked forward to “Liberal Jews and Liberal Judaism as an institution strengthening our ties with Israel further”. The movement now has 9,000 adult members and 2,000 children and young people.