Gesher, the Jewish primary school for children with special needs, has announced Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis as its patron.
Rabbi Mirvis was the guest of honour at a Chanukah event at the school today to celebrate the announcement.
“Gesher proudly welcomes him and it is great to celebrate this wonderful collaboration by lighting the Chanukah candles with the Gesher children,” a spokesperson for the school said.
“Gesher are truly delighted and honoured to have the Chief Rabbi become their patron.”
The Chief Rabbi celebrates #Chanukah at @GesherSchool and congratulates it on being such a wonderful and important resource for our community. pic.twitter.com/GW0s5Ozigp
— Chief Rabbi Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) December 13, 2017
Sarah Sultman, one of the school’s co-founders, said: “Chanukah is very much a time of celebration, a story of triumph over adversity and of miracles of light.
“Our Gesher children embody that message. They overcome challenges on a daily basis but seeing them in school so happy really has made the five years that is has taken for our school to open truly worth it. This year in particular is a very special Chanukah for us.”
The event was attended by students; David Kyte, Gesher’s chair of the executive committee; and Rabbi David Meyer, executive director of PaJes.
The school, which is currently located (temporarily) at the Hope Centre in Willesden, is the first of its type within British Jewry and will eventually cater for a maximum of 56 children.
Its long term plan is to ensure that Gesher's pupils benefit from tailor-made tuition at the same time as being able to enjoy the facilities at Sinai School in Kenton, as well as to take part in activities with Sinai children.
