A new women's group is preparing for its first major event, with discussion featuring prominent figures in the world of media, law, medicine and politics.
Aitza was launched this year, after Women and Jewish Leadership, a project of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, noticed "there were a lot of women working outside the community who need better opportunities to engage with it."
The group is hosting its debate, entitled How to Make Friends and Influence People, at Portcullis House in central London on Monday. On the panel are Dr Ellie Cannon, the GP, writer and broadcaster; lawyer Elaine Aarons; journalist Emma Barnett and Labour MP Luciana Berger.
Laura Marks, who is senior vice-president of the Board, is one of 12 volunteer committee members who run Aitza. She said that only a small proportion of Jewish women have a formal engagement with the community.
"But there are loads of Jewish women who are extremely talented working outside it who are not engaged with us.
"This happens for a number of reasons both positive and negative. We found through feedback that they would like to hang out with other Jewish women."
She added: "I am hoping that, by bringing all these different women together, the talent of Jewish women outside the community will benefit us inside it, and people may find them selves getting more involved."
The group plans to host a variety of events for women throughout the year appealing to "people who are working in town, business and media".
But, Ms Marks said: "We don't want to exclude anyone."
The group has adopted an informal structure according to Ms Marks, who represents the Movement for Reform Judaism at the Board
"What I think is so interesting is they have decided not to appoint a chair so there is not a hierarchical structure within the group," she said.
"Each event will be chaired by someone different, which will mean everyone gets the opportunity to be involved at different levels."
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