East London and Essex Liberal Liberal Synagogue has held its first women’s service.

Student rabbi Daniela Touati led the Shabbat service with women from the community. It was dedicated to the memory of Betty Benscher, a stalwart of the shul for more than 50 years, and to mark the centenary of the women’s vote in the UK.

At the end of the service gifts were presented to Ms Touati on the last day of her placement with the shul — she is returning to France.

She said her time there had been “a wonderful experience. I have learnt so much from the rabbis and the whole community.”