Joanne Greenaway is to step down in April after seven years as chief executive of the London School of Jewish Studies in order to focus on teaching and religious leadership.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, president of the adult education and teacher training college, led tributes, praising her “extraordinary dedication”.
Greenaway recently received an advanced qualification in Jewish studies, graduating from the four-year International Halachah Scholars Programme run by Ohr Torah Stone, one of Israel’s leading modern Orthodox institutions.
Under her direction, LSJS supports over 120 teaching students on six professional tracks, has launched initiatives such as a PhD in Jewish education, developed an education hub on its London campus housing 13 organisations and raised its international profile, delivering training to more than 20 European countries.
She will continue her podcast on women’s leadership, Women’s Gallery, while pursuing a PhD and completing her book on get – she was previously get case director for the London Beth Din. She will retain links with LSJS as a senior adviser.
Chief operations officer Paul Gould will act as the college’s interim ceo after her departure.
Sir Ephraim said, “Joanne Greenaway has led LSJS with extraordinary dedication to Jewish learning and educational leadership in the UK and well beyond.
“Nothing is more essential for securing our Jewish future than outstanding education and we are incredibly fortunate that so many have benefited from Joanne's leadership and strategic vision, which leave an enduring impact on our community.”
LSJS chairman Bill Benjamin said she would leave the organisation in “excellent health”, having led it “with vision, integrity and huge dedication. Her impact has been profound: she has strengthened our academic excellence, expanded our international reach and ensured LSJS is recognised as a leader in Jewish education across Europe and beyond.”
Greenaway said it had been “an honour to serve and grow LSJS as its first female CEO. LSJS has always been my learning and spiritual home – a place where I studied under Rabbi Sacks zt’l and where I have been privileged to continue that legacy.
“I am deeply proud of what we have built together: our role as a centre of excellence for Jewish education and as a unifying force in British Jewish life, the expansion of our teaching programmes and our global reach. Above all, I am profoundly grateful to our exceptional staff team, whose passion, commitment and talent have driven every success and made LSJS such an inspiring place to lead.”
She was “excited to be able to focus my energies on teaching and develop my wider religious and educational leadership work while continuing to be part of LSJS’s future.”
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