In preparation for the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s Tel Aviv route, flight crews visited the Jewish Learning Exchange in Golders Green to gain insight into the practicalities of Jewish life.

The visit was part of a training programme overseen by Virgin consultant Arieh Wagner incorporating information on customs, kashrut, prayer and the festivals.

At JLE, the airline staff met rabbis Aubrey Hersh and Benjy Morgan, who explained potential scenarios from requests to stow lulavim to identifying a shtreimel box.

Rabbi Morgan, JLE’s chief executive, said its remit was to make Judaism accessible to both Jews and non-Jews.

“The crew were genuinely interested in the sessions and I think they will go a long way to helping them understand some of the requests that might occur.”