By, Lee Harpin
1 min read
ByLee Harpin, Lee Harpin
An Iraqi family claiming asylum in Britain are celebrating after winning a place at a Jewish primary school for their elder daughter.
Sinan and Dena Nuuman, and daughters Yara, seven, and Liza, 16 months, had converted to Judaism after becoming part of the fledgling York Liberal Community in June 2014 - where they are now regulars at services.
The family first arrived in the UK more than four years ago after Mr Nuuman left Baghdad to take an Iraqi government-funded postgraduate degree at York University.
In a decision that has delighted her parents, Yara has been offered a place at the Brodetsky Jewish Primary School in Leeds - where she has now started attending lessons. The family have moved to the city.
"We were all overjoyed when we were told she had been offered the place," said Mr Nuuman. "It means so much for us as a family to have Yara going to a Jewish primary school. It is important to help bring us even closer to the local Jewish community who have been so supportive since we first arrived here."
The place at Brodetsky, which provides a secular and Jewish education for 259 children in an Orthodox environment, was secured after meetings involving the school and Leeds City Council. There had been a short delay due to minor issues with Yara's speech.
Mr Nuuman explained: "Yara goes to a specialist school in the mornings to get help with her speech therapy and is completing the rest of the day at Brodetsky."
Susy Jagger, acting headteacher, said:"Even though it has only been a week, Yara has settled very well into Brodetsky life."
Mrs Nuuman converted to Judaism last year, along with her two daughters, after discovering her possible Jewish roots. Her husband completed the conversion process himself last month.
York's small Liberal Jewish community has been among the most staunch supporters of the Nuuman's right to remain in Britain, raising £3,000 on their behalf.
The family claimed asylum in June after the Iraqis cancelled Mr Nuuman's funding and visa. They now await a decision from the Home Office. "Getting my daughter into school is the first step," said Mr Nuuman. "It would be amazing to get good news about our asylum application."