The Shenley Synagogue minister who announced his departure in March, saying that he and the community "were not a good fit" has now agreed to stay on for a further year.

Rather than leave Shenley with his family at the end of June, Rabbi Natan Levy will remain until June 2011, when he plans to make aliyah.

Last month, Rabbi Levy said he and the congregation had reached a point where "a parting of the ways would be to the benefit of both of us". He now says he is "thrilled that my family and I will spend our final year in the UK continuing our work in Shenley, leading such a vibrant and developing community."

Welcoming the decision, Shenley chair Alan Hirschowitz said it would give the community time to find a suitable replacement.