The Department for Education has discounted objections from the Chief Rabbi and Board of Deputies and is pressing ahead with plans to require schools to teach about more than one faith for GCSE religious studies.
The move is seen as a way to promote interfaith tolerance amid anxiety, in particular, about the potential spread of Islamic conservatism in schools.
Both Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Board chief executive Gillian Merron, along with a number of other faith leaders, have opposed it as an imposition on religious schools.
But the DfE said this week: "We are developing a new GCSE that will require students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the diversity of religious beliefs in Britain. We will consult on the content in due course."
RE, a spokesman added, was "a vital part of our plan to prepare young people for life in modern Britain by helping children to develop an understanding of the different faiths and cultures which make up our society.
"The current religious studies GCSE has failed to do this, which has led to exam boards producing qualifications that are not broad, demanding or rigorous enough."
Although the current curriculum allows for the study of more than one faith, Jewish schools - along with many other faith schools - generally concentrate on their own.
While Reform and Liberal leaders support the proposed change, Orthodox representatives argue that forcing them to additionally teach about
other faiths would reduce the time available for Judaism in a tight GCSE schedule.
Some Jewish schools would be likely to drop GCSE religious studies if the change went ahead.
But one Orthodox education consultant, Dr Lynndy Levin, who is also rebbetzin of South Hampstead Synagogue, takes a different line.
"It seems to me that rather than a matter for outrage, the government proposal to study two religions for GCSE religious studies is an opportunity to contribute to innovative conceptions of toleration and citizenship," she said.
This would be "through creating religiously distinctive curricula which capitalise on shared universal human values, rather than focusing on theological differences," she added.
"This is an important educational moment not to be missed."
