Female Reform rabbis and cantors attended a party to celebrate 45 years since Jackie Tabick was ordained as Britain’s first woman rabbi - and the ongoing contribution of female clergy members to Judaism.

"In 1975 I was a bit of an oddity and felt very alone," Rabbi Tabick recalled. "How different it is today to have so many creative, thoughtful, intelligent, caring and knowledgeable female colleagues who are now a largely accepted face of Progressive Judaism around the world. It was wonderful to celebrate with them."

More than half the Reform synagogues with a minister now employ at least one woman rabbi and there are currently 22 working within the movement.

Its senior rabbi, Laura Janner-Klausner, said: “Jackie Tabick led the way and showed us all that it was possible to become a rabbi and a leader in our community as a woman. Getting to celebrate that fact with many of the amazing women who followed in her footsteps is inspirational.”