Supreme court rules against Jewish school
Lord Phillips of the Supreme Court said the school broke race relations laws
The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed today’s Supreme Court ruling that the admissions criteria to the Jews’ Free School (JFS) in Kenton contravene the Race Relations Act 1976, describing the judgment as ‘of immense importance.’ The judgment upholds an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal. |  |
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Wednesday, 16, Dec 2009 05:05
By politics.co.uk staff
The supreme court has ruled that a Jewish school's admission policy contradicts the Race Relations Act.
A man whose son was not admitted to the JFS in Lodnon after his wife's conversion ceremony was conducted by a progressive, not Orthodox, synagogue, launched the case against the school.
Jews are usually defined by their mother. The boy in question was born to a Jewish father by birth, and a Jewish mother by convention. But the JFS decided the mother's conversion ceremony did not abide by the rules of the Chief Rabbi.
On the other hand, the children of atheist and Christians are admitted if their mothers are Jewish.
Schools secretary Ed Balls said: "I will consider the judgment carefully, but I am clear that faith schools, including Jewish schools, have played a historic and important role in state education in our country for many decades, and the government will take any steps necessary to ensure that continues.
"I am also clear that all faith schools must follow admission procedures that are non-discriminatory, and consistent with the admissions Code and the law.
"This is the case in the vast majority of faith schools and I understand that the Jewish Free School has amended its admissions policy in light of updated guidance from the Office of the Chief Rabbi."
The ruling will send shudders through the orthodox Jewish community, but encourage liberal Jews, who have long argued for a disassociation of the racial and religion aspects of the word 'Jewish'.