The educator who first instigated the creation of JCoSS is the first British woman to win a prestigious prize, honouring Jewish education in the diaspora.

The Director of Research, Evaluation and Living Bridge programmes at UJIA Dr Helena Miller will received the Max Fisher Prize from the LA Pincus Fund, at a ceremony in Jerusalem in May, the third British educator to win the award.

A former teacher, Dr Miller said she was "honoured to receive the award, and very surprised. I'm extremely pleased with the recognition."

Dr Miller, who has a PhD in Jewish education, was the instigator of the team who created the cross-communal secondary school in Barnet. She also led the creation of the Jewish Education masters' degree programme at Leo Baeck College and chairs Pikuach, the inspection team for Jewish schools. Dr Miller also co-chairs Limmud international, and has been involved in Jewish activities from Maccabi GB to Tzedek and Reform Judaism.

Previous British recipients of the prize are Limmud co-founder Clive Lawton in 2007 and Immanuel College head Philip Skelker, former head of King David High School, Liverpool, and of Carmel College, Oxfordshire.