Liberal Judaism Chair Karen Newman and former Labour MP Dame Louise Ellman have been appointed as the new independent chairs for Board of Deputies plenary meetings.

In the past, plenaries were presided over by the Board’s President, but the new format is part of President Phil Rosenberg’s pledge to make the large meetings more constructive and less adversarial.

He said: “Since my election in May, I have been working to make our organisation more united and inclusive, and our meetings more positive and upbeat. After inviting applications from Deputies, I am delighted to appoint two such brilliant community leaders to make our plenaries more professional, dynamic and collegiate. Both Karen and Dame Louise are real stars who will help take our organisation to the next level.”

Karen, who is also a Deputy for the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, has already received wide plaudits as she fulfilled the role on a pilot basis for the first two meetings of the new term.

She also brings a further Progressive Jewish presence to the Board of Deputies, complementing Board Vice President Andrew Gilbert, who is a Deputy for the Movement for Reform Judaism.

Karen said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed to one of the new Independent Chair posts. I will be looking to get the right balance between allowing the debate to flow, enabling the Honorary Officer team to lead, and empowering Deputies to be heard and have a real opportunity to influence policy.

“I believe that the new format will show the Board to be the authentic, representative voice of Anglo Jewry today in all its diversity.”

Read the full story in the Jewish Chronicle here.