Minister Aharon Soudry explained: "I have made it my mission to give shul equality to women, all within the realms of halacha.

"I have involved them in the mini discussions engendered by my parsha quiz. Taking matters a step further, I decided to introduce a yearly event to honour our women, similar to the chatanim's accolade at Simchat Torah.

"Shavuot, the commemoration of Torah-giving on Sinai, is the perfect opportunity.

"The executive and I felt that Irene deserves greatly to have her commitment to the shul and beyond recognised."

Within the community, Irene ensures that food at all communal events is strictly kosher, all breads conform to the Beth Din and she monitors many other places.

She regularly makes the long journey to Buckie, Morayshire, for two separate weeks to supervise the cleaning and koshering of the smoked salmon plant.

At the shul, she does a great deal of work baking and organises the kiddushim.

Irene is a staunch worker for the Labour Party and is involved in minority group meetings.

She works with the nursery children at the Isobel Mair Family Centre in Newton Mearns, which is attached to the school for pupils with special needs.

Irene is a regular visitor to Israel to see her son Simon, daughter-in-law Rachel and her grandchildren Aron and Hetty.

A presentation will be made to Irene at a special Shavuot Kiddush on May 27.