Mr Gross’ comments come just weeks after Beth Hamidrash Hagadol abandoned merger plans with Etz Chaim.

But Mr Gross has warned: “If no structural changes are made in the not too distant future, we will certainly have to reduce our employee headcount and service levels. That is reality.”

He added: “More than 15 years ago Etz Chaim approached BHH to propose a merger or rather the creation of a new combined shul. The Etz Chaim honorary officers believed in the project then and continue to believe in it now.”

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