The first cohort of the Lilmod Ul’Lamed Women’s Educator Programme have graduated in a central London ceremony.

A collaboration between the United Synagogue, Mizrachi and Bnei Akiva, Lilmod Ul’Lamed (“To learn and to teach”) is an 18 month programme giving university-age women high-level training in teaching and education.

Course topics included public speaking, preparing shiurim and Jewish pedagogy. The seven participants, aged 22-23, also represented the partner organisations at major educational events.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis praised the “wonderful initiative which meets a clear need for ongoing Torah learning and educational training for our next generation of female educators and role models.

“The graduates demonstrated an impressive level of knowledge and understanding and it was a privilege to host the ceremony. I look forward to launching the next round of the programme in January.”

Graduate Rachel Prais said a strength of the programme was “that it invests in me so that I can invest in others”. She had benefited greatly from the exposure to educational leaders.

The next cohort will start in January.