In what Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis describes as “a significant development” for British Jewry, the United Synagogue is establishing the Centre for Rabbinic Excellence with Rabbi Nicky Liss as its inaugural director.

The centre’s aim is to create “exceptional” US rabbis and rebbetzens through ongoing professional development opportunities, partnerships with training providers, mentors, coaches and academic institutions.

It will also play a key role in talent-spotting and the nurturing of interns and potential rabbinic candidates.

Rabbi Liss will set the centre’s strategic direction, oversee its programmes and manage the professional team.

He chaired the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue for five years and is senior minister of Highgate United Synagogue. He will combine his new part-time role with his Highgate duties.

Rabbi Mordechai Ginsbury will become associate director of the CRE in addition to his role as senior rabbi of Hendon United Synagogue.

Judy Markovic has been appointed the centre’s programme manager. Both she and Rabbi Ginsbury bring to their posts experience of having worked for P’eir, the US’s current training arm.

Ms Markovic will be the liaison for US rebbetzens, organising tailored training and programmes.

The team will meet rabbis and rebbetzens to better understand their needs before building the centre’s programming. The CRE will formally launch in early 2022.

Rabbi Mirvis believed the centre would “enhance the capacity of the United Synagogue to support our wonderful rabbis and rebbetzens in their quest to care for, educate and inspire their communities. In Rabbi Nicky Liss, the new centre has a truly inspirational leader.

“I look forward to working closely with him and his team and wish the new centre every success.”

Professor Andrew Eder, the US trustee lead for CRE, said it would “enable the United Synagogue to recruit and retain the very best spiritual leaders.

“The timing of the opening of the new centre is very appropriate as we look to welcome growing numbers of people back to shul.”

“Humbled” by his appointment, Rabbi Liss saw the CRE as a “very exciting opportunity for United Synagogue rabbis and rebbetzens to continue our development and become the best leaders for our communities”.