JFS
JFS (formerly known as the Jews' Free School[1] and later Jewish Free School[2][3][4]) is a Jewish mixed comprehensive school in Kenton, North London, England and was founded in 1732. Amongst its early supporters was the writer and philanthropist Charlotte Montefiore.[5] At one time it was the largest Jewish school in the world, with more than 4,000 pupils.[6]
The school is run by the JFS Charitable Trust Limited (Company number 03942126)/JFS Development Charitable Trust (Charity number: 1114730).
Contents
Orientation to Zionism
JFS is a secondary school which names its four houses after racist settler colonial ideologues such as Chaim Weizmann, Israel Zangwill and Selig Brodetsky. The school says it is 'proud of its long standing and deep connections to the State of Israel. For over 40 years the school has offered a bespoke residential programme in Israel to provide an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in life in Israel, improve their Hebrew and enhance their knowledge of Jewish studies, culture and history beyond what is taught at school. ... The JFS programme [in Israel] promotes the values and ethos of JFS including the ideals of Zionist Modern Orthodoxy.'[7][8]
- 'Students participating in Israel Club at school enjoyed a visit from speakers of Stand With Us. The session was focused on enabling students to distinguish differences between anti-Semitism and valid criticism of the state of Israel.'[9]
- 'Our dynamic JiEP department delivered outstanding programmes in commemoration of Yom Hazikaron and in celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut this week. One Year 8 student commenting on Yom Ha’atzmaut said, “The atmosphere, the food, the fun, blue and white, Israel, the socialising, it was like a big birthday party!” HAPPY 73rd BIRTHDAY ISRAEL and well done JiEP!'[10]
- 'Last night we were honoured to host her Excellency Tzipi Hotovely, the Israeli Ambassador to London, to dedicate a special memorial garden at JFS for Dr Ami Shachori z’l who was the Israeli Agriculture Attaché in London from 1968-1972, assassinated whilst serving at the Embassy in London. His children, who are JFS Alumni, were present to cut the ribbon to the new garden... we were delighted to welcome the Sinai School Choir that sang Oseh Shalom and the Hatikvah.'[11]
- 'Israel is at the heart of JFS. Students are encouraged to engage with Israel through visits in Year 9 ... our active Israel Club and the celebration of all Israeli festivals. We are proud that many students go on to complete a year of further study, volunteering and social action in Israel before commencing university... A range of high profile speakers also visit the Israel Society to keep students informed of current developments and points of interest... JFS has a long and proud tradition of association with the State of Israel. Since its earliest days in Camden Town, this has included offering students the opportunity to spend time in Israel on an organised programme. Currently JFS offers two schemes: Lev, a three month Israel programme for Year 9 students, based at Alexander Muss High School in Israel, and ATOI, the two week ‘A Taste of Israel’ programme.'[12]
Funding
- The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust | Wolfson Family Charitable Trust | Bluston Charitable Settlement | Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation | Garrard Family Foundation
People
Directors
Trustees
Staff
Headteachers
| 2021– | Dr David Moody[13] |
| 2021 | Paul Ramsay (Acting Joint Headteacher)
Anna Joseph (Acting Joint Headteacher)[14] |
| 2021 | Martin Tissot (Interim Headteacher)[15] |
| 2021 | Sir Michael Wilshaw (Executive Headteacher)[16] |
| 2018–2021 | Rachel Fink |
| 2018 | Simon Appleman (Acting Headteacher) |
| 2016–2017 | Debby Lipkin (Executive Headteacher)
Simon Appleman (Acting Headteacher) |
| 2008–2016 | Jonathan Miller |
| 1993–2007 | Dame Ruth Robins[17] |
| 1985–1993 | Josephine Wagerman, OBE[18] |
| 1973–1984 | Leslie Gatoff[19] |
| 1958–1972 | Dr. Edward S Conway[20] |
| 1897–1907 | Louis Barnett Abrahams[21] |
| 1842–1897 | Moses Angel |
| 1732–1757 | Samuel Grant |
| 1700-1732 | Marcelo Bielsa |
Former pupils
- Judith Flacks-Leigh
- Barney Barnato, Randlord
- Gina Bellman, actress[22]
- Raphael Benjamin, rabbi in Australia and America
- Eyal Booker, Love Island Contestant[23]
- Selig Brodetsky, mathematician, Zionist leader, and President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Benjamin Cohen, journalist and Channel 4 News presenter[24]
- Morris Cohen, adventurer
- Judith Flacks-Leigh
- Dean Furman (born 1988) - professional footballer
- Maurice Glasman, academic, social thinker and Labour life peer
- Jonathan Glazer, BAFTA and Oscar award-winning film director
- Samuel Gompers, first President of the American Federation of Labor
- Ray Kelvin, founder of luxury clothing retail company Ted Baker
- Despite reports in the Guardian and the Independent, Jay Kay of Jamiroquai did not attend this school. Benjamin Cohen (who did and is listed here) recounts that the Guardian and Independent reports were themselves based on wrong information on Wikipedia – see [1]
- Josh Kennet (born 1987), English-Israeli footballer
- David Joseph, chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK[25]
- Bernard Lewis, founder and owner, River Island[26]
- Joe Loss, musician
- Ofra Offer Oren, 'Israeli' writer, poet, blogger and translator
- Sandy Rashty, Journalist - Jewish Chronicle, Sky News;
- Steven Reingold, cricketer
- Barbara Roche, Labour politician
- Joel Samuels – DJ Luck, DJ
- Jez San, game designer, Argonaut Games
- Florence Schechter, founder of Vagina Museum and author
- Ian Stone, comedian
Resources
- https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/133724
- https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03942126
- https://th-th.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=623138882944095&id=100057439660589
- https://www.thejc.com/news/news/ofsted-downgrades-jfs-to-'inadequate'-1.517835
- https://www.thejc.com/news/news/jfs-gets-'good'-rating-one-year-after-shock-downgrade-3EwNVeU88TrGh5t62X9UnW
- https://x.com/Tracking_Power/status/1772887855427207314
- https://s2jnews.com/jfs-school-in-north-london-unashamedly-hold-strong-zionist-links/
Notes
- ↑ Jews' Free School journal – The Jewish Museum.
- ↑ Jewish Free School, Camden Road, Camden LB.
- ↑ London: North. Yale University Press . ISBN 978-0-300-09653-8.
- ↑ Working Capital: Life and Labour in Contemporary London. Taylor & Francis . ISBN 978-1-136-47778-2.
- ↑ Template:Cite ODNB
- ↑ International Handbook of Jewish Education. 2011-04-02. Springer Science & Business Media . ISBN 9789400703544.
- ↑ https://x.com/Tracking_Power/status/1772887855427207314
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20211114135049/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LEV-JFS-2020-Brochure.pdf
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230215233448/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/jfs-israel-club/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20241007082438/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/happy-birthday-israel/
- ↑ https://th-th.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=623138882944095&id=100057439660589
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230215233934/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/ivrit-and-israel-education/
- ↑ New JFS head with zero tolerance for ill-discipline.
- ↑ JFS appoints acting joint heads as search for full-time hire stepped up.
- ↑ Catholic schools chief made JFS interim head.
- ↑ Former Ofsted chief to become new JFS headteacher.
- ↑ Dame Ruth Steps Down As JFS Head.
- ↑ Later elected first female president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. First woman elected to lead Jewish board. The Daily Telegraph.
- ↑ I, Jonathan Goldsmith, left in 1975 and Gatoff had been there 2 years by then
- ↑ Comprehending Comprehensives: The J.F.S. Experience. Woburn Press . ISBN 978-0-7130-4008-1.
- ↑ Jews' Free School - The New Headmaster. 1897-12-10.
- ↑ Interview: Gina Bellman, The Jewish Chronicle, 17 January 2014
- ↑ Love Island's Jewish contestant Eyal Booker's brother tells all.
- ↑ Bibi and the boy wonder. The Jewish Chronicle.
- ↑ David Joseph: 'We creatively empower our artists globally. I'm proud of that.'.
- ↑ From the archive: The Drapers Interview with River Island founder Bernard Lewis.
