The London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) has today announced that Joanne Greenaway is to step down as its Chief Executive Officer in April after seven years of exceptional leadership.
During her tenure, Joanne has overseen a period of strong growth and innovation at LSJS. The Board of Trustees expressed its deep appreciation for her outstanding contribution, recognising that she leaves LSJS with a growing global reputation and a bold strategic vision for the future.
Under Joanne’s leadership, LSJS has:
- Expanded its teaching programmes, now supporting over 120 teaching students across six professional tracks
- Reached thousands of diverse adult learners worldwide through in‑person, online, and international programmes
- Launched new flagship initiatives including Teach to Lead, the European Educators Certificate, a pioneering PhD in Jewish Education, international primary and secondary Jewish Studies teachers’ conferences
- Established LSJS as Europe’s central hub for Jewish educational excellence, delivering training and thought‑leadership for institutions in more than 20 countries
- Developed a Jewish educational hub on campus, housing 13 different organisations
- Built strong partnerships and collaborations across the community, including working with around 50 schools across the religious spectrum
- Raised the profile of Jewish education in the UK and globally, sharing the message that a strong Jewish future depends on education, that learning should be lifelong and that good education relies on great teachers that we should value.
- Invested in LSJS’s team of educators, doubling the size of its staff team to enabling wider impact across the community and beyond
Joanne plans to expand her teaching and religious leadership following completion of the four‑year International Halakha Scholars Program (Ohr Torah Stone), continuing her podcast Women’s Gallery which showcases women in Jewish leadership, completing her book on Get refusal and pursuing further postgraduate study in the form of a PhD. Joanne will continue to contribute to LSJS as a Senior Advisor, supporting the organisation’s development plans and global partnerships.
LSJS Chair Bill Benjamin said:
“Joanne has led LSJS with vision, integrity and huge dedication. Her impact has been profound: she has strengthened our academic excellence, expanded our international reach and ensured LSJS is recognised as a leader in Jewish education across Europe and beyond. Joanne leaves the organisation in excellent health and on behalf of the Board, staff, students and wider community, I thank her for everything she has achieved.”
Reflecting on her time at LSJS, Joanne Greenaway said:
“It has been an honour to serve and grow LSJS as its first female CEO. LSJS has always been my learning and spiritual home - a place where I studied under Rabbi Sacks zt’l and where I have been privileged to continue that legacy. I am deeply proud of what we have built together: our role as a centre of excellence for Jewish education and as a unifying force in British Jewish life, the expansion of our teaching programmes and our global reach. Above all, I am profoundly grateful to our exceptional staff team, whose passion, commitment and talent have driven every success and made LSJS such an inspiring place to lead. I am excited to be able to focus my energies on teaching and develop my wider religious and educational leadership work while continuing to be part of LSJS’s future.”
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said:
“Joanne Greenaway has led LSJS with extraordinary dedication to Jewish learning and educational leadership in the UK and well beyond.
Nothing is more essential for securing our Jewish future than outstanding education and we are incredibly fortunate that so many have benefited from Joanne's leadership and strategic vision, which leave an enduring impact on our community.
I am deeply grateful for her service and wish her every success and blessing in the future.”
Following Joanne’s departure, Paul Gould, LSJS Chief Operating Officer, will serve as Interim CEO while the Board considers next steps for permanent leadership.
