Rabbi Jonathan Romain has been appointed chairperson of the Movement for Reform Judaism’s Beit Din.

The organisation’s religious court has chosen the Maidenhead minister to head its rotating team of seven judges and make the final decision on issues from conversions to divorces.

The rabbi said he was very pleased that the Assembly of Reform Rabbis UK had elected him to the three-year position at the court, which meets every two months.

He said: “The Beit Din is a great vehicle for helping people in different situations to sort out the issues in their lives. It's a very hands-on, humane role.

“My job is to sort out the cases which fall in between and need special attention. Jewish law needs to have structure, but not be obstructive. We try to help where we can.”

“The best outcome is finding ways of saying ‘yes’ to those who need help wherever possible.”

The new chairperson replaces MRJ vice-president Rabbi Maurice Michaels.