Jewish leaders have backed an attempt to reduce the number of male-only panels of speakers at communal events.

The issue was brought to light by Women in Jewish Leadership — a campaign group backed by the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council.

A WJL spokesperson said: “Our intention is to bring equally qualified women to diversify panels where they may not have been considered before.

“Jewish women are often bypassed or not considered, not necessarily by intention but because thinking equally about women at leadership level is not always instinctive. This is particularly true with regard to engaging spokespeople for panels.”

Communal representatives, including the newly ennobled Daniel Finkelstein and incoming JW3 chief executive Raymond Simonson, are among 40 senior figures backing the campaing.

Lord Finkelstein said: “This is a really important initiative. We have so many brilliant women in the community and, as far as I am concerned, a panel isn’t a proper panel unless it reflects that.”