Rabbi Moshe Zauderer, the director of the Zichron Avos Jewish Interactive Studies Foundation, discussed the course at a number of organisations including SEED in Edgware and West Hampstead Synagogue.

The foundation, set up by Rabbi Zauderer’s father with reparation money given to his family by the Austrian Government, seeks to offer a “new approach” to Jewish studies and adult education.

Currently Rabbi Zauderer has 1,750 students from across the world taking part in the free courses, which run from four to nine weeks.

Rabbi Zauderer said: “We want to introduce people who have little or no Jewish education, primarily those in the 25 plus age category, to learning.

“Jewish Interactive Studies is really aimed at those people who are situated outside the community or who are prevented from going to lectures because of work, social or family commitments. There are a number of people who have not had any involvement in Judaism since their bar mitzvah and are looking to get more seriously involved.

“JIS is like distance learning except it is neither rigid or obligatory and, after they have registered, students can decide precisely how much they wish to be involved.”

“Participants submit questions or comments on course material via email and receive personalised responses form the JIS staff and students who complete the programme receive a certificate. Each week a new lecture is posted on the site.”

Among the courses offered by JIS are a series on the Bible, a holiday handbook programme and an ethics course.