Rabbi Jonathan Romain has condemned Jewish schools, saying they “warp our children against the outside world.”
Speaking on a panel of educators and activists, the rabbi of Maidenhead Synagogue accused the schools of “collective negative aspects which go against Jewish values.
“From the moment they enter the school gates in the morning, those of the ‘right’ faith come in, those of the ‘wrong’ faith don’t. I think that speaks volumes about what we teach our children.
“How shocked would you be if this room was segregated in terms of Reform, Liberal and Orthodox? ”
The rabbi, who campaigns for inclusive schooling as chair of the Accord Coalition, continued: “There are also many Jewish schools which shield students against other faiths. What are they frightened of? That if they discover Christianity they’ll convert?
“Even if we do teach them about other faiths, it is not the same as sitting next to them, playing with them in breaks, or walking home with them. Our children can’t love their neighbour if they don’t know them in the first place.”
Speaking directly to the audience, he pleaded: “Let’s not turn the multicultural society we have into a fractured one.”
Rabbi Romain added that Jewish education should be an issue for parents more than schools, saying: “A recent survey of American Jewry said Jewish schools do make an educational difference, but it’s minimal.
“It doesn’t matter if you send your child to JFS or St Pauls, it all depends on how you raise them at home.”
Brett Wigdortz, founder of Teach First, agreed that Jewish parents must look at all options when deciding on their children’s education. He said: “All Jews deserve the opportunity to make the best of their God-given talent. That’s very core to Judaism.
“If Jewish schools stop us from caring about other schools, even though Britain is a world leader in education, it can go against that value that all Jewish kids deserve a great education.
Alastair Falk, one of the founding members of Limmud and a lifelong educator, said the way faith schools are perceived in Britain is changing.
“I’ll put my money on the prediction that within the next 20 years the government will wake up and decide they don’t want to fund faith schools anymore,” he said.
