Difference between revisions of "Nancy Reuben Primary School"

From Powerbase
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Add History section: 2006 Jewish Chronicle report of renaming and open-morning adverts)
(Add JC archive cites: Nancy Reuben as JNF UK partner school (Apr/Sep 2019))
 
(10 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 7: Line 7:
 
[[Partnerships for Jewish Schools]] supported the school's move from the independent sector to state funding as a voluntary aided school in September 2025.<ref name="JCNancyReuben2025">[[Simon Rocker]], [https://www.thejc.com/family-and-education/nancy-reuben-becomes-first-state-sephardi-school-xtqps0qv Nancy Reuben becomes first state Sephardi school] ''Jewish Chronicle'', 22 September 2025, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
 
[[Partnerships for Jewish Schools]] supported the school's move from the independent sector to state funding as a voluntary aided school in September 2025.<ref name="JCNancyReuben2025">[[Simon Rocker]], [https://www.thejc.com/family-and-education/nancy-reuben-becomes-first-state-sephardi-school-xtqps0qv Nancy Reuben becomes first state Sephardi school] ''Jewish Chronicle'', 22 September 2025, accessed 31 October 2026.</ref>
  
−
[[File:483478260 9389139891168373 4714002816771678744 n.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Mrs Rubin the head teacher posts in March 2022 about students at the school participating in a Zionist regime propaganda operation encouraging land theft and settler colonialism: 'This afternoon Y5 had a unique opportunity to be in Jerusalem while sitting in our classroom in London: [[Chemed]] and the [[Israel Ministry of Education]] with the [[Jewish Agency]] invited us for an exciting virtual tour in the Kotel tunnels.  Children from Israel and al around the world were invited to join the "Aliyah to Jerusalem" tour.']]
+
[[File:483478260 9389139891168373 4714002816771678744 n.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Mrs Rubin, a teacher at the school, posts in March 2022 about students at the school participating in a Zionist regime propaganda operation encouraging land theft and settler colonialism: 'This afternoon Y5 had a unique opportunity to be in Jerusalem while sitting in our classroom in London: [[Chemed]] and the [[Israel Ministry of Education]] with the [[Jewish Agency]] invited us for an exciting virtual tour in the Kotel tunnels.  Children from Israel and al around the world were invited to join the "Aliyah to Jerusalem" tour.'<ref name="NRPSKotel2022">Nancy Reuben Primary School, post by "Mrs. Rubin" (signed "Morah Sari") on the school's "School Story" feed in its parent messaging app, March 2022, screenshot at [[:File:483478260 9389139891168373 4714002816771678744 n.jpg]], uploaded 8 September 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref>]]
 
==History==
 
==History==
−
In July 2006 the ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' reported that Od Yosef Hai Primary in [[Hendon]], which "shares premises with Od Yosef Hai Synagogue", was to be renamed the Nancy Reuben School in memory of the mother of [[David Reuben]] and [[Simon Reuben]]. It said that the complex "is in the midst of a £1.5 million redevelopment project" and that "the school and the Reuben Brothers declined comment on the matter."<ref name="JC2006p17">Rachel Fletcher, "Reuben school", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 14 July 2006, p. 17.</ref>
+
In July 2006 the ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' reported that Od Yosef Hai Primary in [[Hendon]], which "shares premises with [[Od Yosef Hai Yeshiva College of Rabbinical Studies|Od Yosef Hai Synagogue]]", was to be renamed the Nancy Reuben School in memory of the mother of [[David Reuben]] and [[Simon Reuben]]. It said that the complex "is in the midst of a £1.5 million redevelopment project" and that "the school and the Reuben Brothers declined comment on the matter."<ref name="JC2006p17">"Reuben school", ''Jewish Chronicle'', 14 July 2006, p. 17.</ref>
  
 
Advertisements in the paper in October and November 2006 invited parents to an open morning at "the Nancy Reuben Primary School (formerly known as OYH Primary School)" on Wednesday 8 November 2006 at 9.30am, with application forms available from 48 Finchley Lane, NW4 1DJ.<ref name="JC2006Ads">Advertisement, ''Jewish Chronicle'', 27 October 2006, p. 48; repeated 3 November 2006, p. 58.</ref>
 
Advertisements in the paper in October and November 2006 invited parents to an open morning at "the Nancy Reuben Primary School (formerly known as OYH Primary School)" on Wednesday 8 November 2006 at 9.30am, with application forms available from 48 Finchley Lane, NW4 1DJ.<ref name="JC2006Ads">Advertisement, ''Jewish Chronicle'', 27 October 2006, p. 48; repeated 3 November 2006, p. 58.</ref>
 +
 +
[[File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Jewish Weekly supplement 24 September 2020.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''The Jewish Weekly'' supplement page on the school, 24 September 2020, p. 28]]
 +
In September 2020 ''[[The Jewish Weekly]]'' carried a supplement page on the school, sponsored by [[Jewish Legacy]], which the school posted on its Facebook page.<ref name="JW2020p28">"Nancy Reuben Primary School", ''[[The Jewish Weekly]]'', 24 September 2020, supplement, p. 28.</ref><ref name="NRPSFB20200924">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3659228680776242&set=pb.100063664148928.-2207520000&type=3 Photo: ''Jewish Weekly'' supplement page on the school] ''Facebook'', 24 September 2020, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref> It said the school, catering "for boys and girls from 2-11", had seen "a surge in applications" which head teacher [[Anthony Wolfson]] put down to "word of mouth", and that its families "are from both Ashkenazi and Sefardi backgrounds". It listed places offered to leavers at [[Hasmonean High School]] for boys and girls, [[Immanuel College]], [[JFS]], [[Yavneh College|Yavne College]], the [[Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School|Haberdashers' Aske's]] boys' and girls' schools, [[City of London School for Girls|City of London]] and [[North London Collegiate School|North London Collegiate]]. The page added that in the previous year two staff had won [[Partnerships for Jewish Schools|PaJeS]] awards and that the school was a member of the [[Independent Schools Association]].<ref name="JW2020p28" />
  
 
==People==
 
==People==
Line 18: Line 21:
 
===Trustees===  
 
===Trustees===  
 
[[Reuben Foundation]] | [[Dayan Abraham David]]
 
[[Reuben Foundation]] | [[Dayan Abraham David]]
 +
 +
===Head teachers and governors===
 +
[[File:Anthony Wolfson Jewish Chronicle Preventing the summer slide 5 August 2022.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Anthony Wolfson]], "Preventing the summer slide", ''Jewish Chronicle'' education supplement, 5 August 2022, signed as head teacher of the school]]
 +
[[Anthony Wolfson]] was head teacher by September 2020,<ref name="JW2020p28" /> and was still described as head teacher of the school when he wrote for the ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'''s education supplement in August 2022.<ref name="JC2022Wolfson">[[Anthony Wolfson]], "Preventing the summer slide", ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'', 5 August 2022, education supplement, p. 6.</ref>
 +
 +
[[File:Nancy Reuben Primary School new headteacher letter 30 March 2023.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Letter of 30 March 2023 from the Chair of Governors announcing Rabbi Joshua Conway as head teacher, posted 31 March 2023]]
 +
On 31 March 2023 the school posted a letter dated 30 March 2023 from [[Sharon Kelaty-Timsit]], Chair of Governors, announcing that Rabbi [[Joshua Conway]], who had been at the school for five years, had been appointed head teacher to succeed Mr Wolfson. The letter said the post had drawn applicants from the UK, America, Israel, Canada and South Africa.<ref name="NRPSFB20230331">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=664521842346615&set=pb.100063664148928.-2207520000&type=3 "Exciting news about our new headteacher!"] ''Facebook'', 31 March 2023, reproducing a letter of 30 March 2023 from the Chair of Governors, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref> The school's letterhead in October 2023 named "Rabbi J Conway" as headteacher.<ref name="NRPSFB20231010">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=800508745414590&set=pb.100063664148928.-2207520000&type=3 "Tehillim for our Chayalim"] ''Facebook'', 10 October 2023, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref>
  
 
==Zionism==
 
==Zionism==
 
*'Our economic education is often in-class activities and also delivered through assemblies as well as links with our [[JNF]] partner school in Negev Sinai, Israel.  It also includes the tzedaka (charity) pupils raise during the year for things like the [[Jewish Care]] Cake Sale and other charity events including the [[Camp Simcha]] Toy Drive for sick children in hospital.'<ref>https://archive.ph/yy5gr</ref>;  
 
*'Our economic education is often in-class activities and also delivered through assemblies as well as links with our [[JNF]] partner school in Negev Sinai, Israel.  It also includes the tzedaka (charity) pupils raise during the year for things like the [[Jewish Care]] Cake Sale and other charity events including the [[Camp Simcha]] Toy Drive for sick children in hospital.'<ref>https://archive.ph/yy5gr</ref>;  
−
*'This afternoon Y5 had a unique opportunity to be in Jerusalem while sitting in our classroom in London: [[Chemed]] and the [[Israel Ministry of Education]] with the [[Jewish Agency]] invited us for an exciting virtual tour in the Kotel tunnels.  Children from Israel and al around the world were invited to join the "Aliyah to Jerusalem" tour.'<ref>See screengrab above.</ref>  
+
*'This afternoon Y5 had a unique opportunity to be in Jerusalem while sitting in our classroom in London: [[Chemed]] and the [[Israel Ministry of Education]] with the [[Jewish Agency]] invited us for an exciting virtual tour in the Kotel tunnels.  Children from Israel and al around the world were invited to join the "Aliyah to Jerusalem" tour.'<ref name="NRPSKotel2022"/>
 +
* '''Israeli Chief Rabbinate / Jerusalem kollel.''' The 2001 launch of the school was held in the presence of [[Mordechai Eliyahu]], the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel.<ref name="OYHHistoryNR">Od Yosef Hai, [https://odyosefhai.com/history/ History], ''odyosefhai.com'', accessed 5 November 2026.</ref> The school says foundation governor [[Yossi David|Rabbi Yossi David]] studied at Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak and then spent 12 years at the Kollel Darchei Horaah of Rabbi Eliyahu in Jerusalem, receiving rabbinical ordination from Eliyahu, from Rabbi [[Shalom Mashash]], and from the [[Chief Rabbinate of Israel|Rabbanut Harashit]].<ref name="NRPSGov">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.nrps.co.uk/key-information/our-team/our-governors The Governing Board & Trustees], ''nrps.co.uk'', accessed 5 November 2026.</ref>
 +
 
 +
===JNF UK partner school===
 +
[[File:Jewish Chronicle 19 April 2019 p24 Nancy Reuben JNF shuk.png|thumb|right|280px|Nancy Reuben Primary at a Hebrew shuk; caption calls it a JNF UK partner school, April 2019.<ref name="JCNancyShuk2019" />]]
 +
On 19 April 2019 ''The Jewish Chronicle'' captioned a photograph: "Children from Nancy Reuben Primary in Hendon, a [[Jewish National Fund|JNF UK]] partner school, enjoying their time at the shuk, where stalls were linked to its Jewish studies lessons. Pupils were only allowed to buy items if the purchase was conducted in Hebrew."<ref name="JCNancyShuk2019">''The Jewish Chronicle'', 19 April 2019, p.24, [https://www.thejc.com/archive/MjQzNTVkMzYtYmIzYS00 archive], accessed 6 November 2026.</ref>
 +
 
 +
In a 27 September 2019 education round-up, Gina Benjamin wrote: "NRPS continues to develop its Israel education programme, as a JNF partner school."<ref name="JCNancyPartner2019">Gina Benjamin, ''The Jewish Chronicle'', 27 September 2019, p.119, [https://www.thejc.com/archive/OTcxN2M2MTEtNDc2NS00 archive], accessed 6 November 2026.</ref> [[File:Jewish Chronicle 27 September 2019 p119 Nancy Reuben JNF partner.png|thumb|left|220px|Gina Benjamin on NRPS as a JNF partner school, September 2019.<ref name="JCNancyPartner2019" />]]
 +
 
 +
On 8 July 2019 the school wrote on Facebook that [[Yonatan Galon]], "CEO of JNF UK", and [[Ruth Wilkinson]] of the JNF had attended its end-of-term shuk (market), where pupils spent "NRPS Lirot" awarded by their Ivrit teachers. The post said: "We have had a wonderful year as a JNF Partner School - thank you JNF UK!! We look forward to continuing with our JNF Ivrit and Israel Education Projects in 2019/20".<ref name="NRPSFB20190708">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/nancyreubenprimaryschool/posts/pfbid0rrmK12eujaRRy9ebqk7xoMNLWqFkNJHLk2QVbzqGwqoBfruthHmHqu1rrUVxe3rPl Post on the school's end-of-term shuk] ''Facebook'', 8 July 2019, with comment by [[JNF UK]], accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref> [[JNF UK]] replied: "We are proud to be partnered with Nancy Reuben. Well done to all the staff and children for truly embracing their Israel education programme. Kol Hakavod!"<ref name="NRPSFB20190708" /> Photos with the post show "JNF UK wishes you a lovely summer holiday" sun hats for the children<ref name="NRPSFB20190708Hats">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2580849225280865&set=pcb.2580852795280508 Photo: JNF UK summer hats] ''Facebook'', 8 July 2019, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref> and a modern Hebrew sheet headed "Hebrew Summer Market Vocabulary – Nancy Reuben School" (מילון שוק קיץ בעברית – בית הספר ננסי רובין), with phrases such as "How much is it?" and "May I please have a discount?"<ref name="NRPSFB20190708Poster">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2580849275280860&set=pcb.2580852795280508 Photo: Hebrew summer market vocabulary sheet] ''Facebook'', 8 July 2019, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref>
 +
 
 +
Photos posted on 18 July 2019 show a school display board headed "School twinning program: NRPS (UK) and Negev-Sinai (Israel)", with the Hebrew greeting "נעים להכיר!" ("Nice to meet you!"), the British and Israeli flags, the logo of the Negev Sinai state-religious (Mamlachti-Dati) school, a [[JNF UK]] logo and a map,<ref name="NRPSFB20190718">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2599989096700211&set=pb.100063664148928.-2207520000 Photo of the school twinning display board] ''Facebook'', 18 July 2019, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref> alongside a JNF UK banner reading "Supporting Israel for Life" and "Building Israel since 1901".<ref name="NRPSFB20190718b">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2599989086700212&set=pb.100063664148928.-2207520000&type=3 Photo of the JNF UK banner] ''Facebook'', 18 July 2019, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref>
 +
 
 +
<gallery widths="220px" heights="200px">
 +
File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Facebook post JNF Partner School 8 July 2019.png|The school's Facebook post of 8 July 2019: "We have had a wonderful year as a JNF Partner School - thank you JNF UK!! We look forward to continuing with our JNF Ivrit and Israel Education Projects in 2019/20"
 +
File:JNF UK comment on Nancy Reuben Primary School Facebook post 8 July 2019.png|JNF UK's comment on the post, 8 July 2019: "We are proud to be partnered with Nancy Reuben ... for truly embracing their Israel education programme"
 +
File:Nancy Reuben Primary School JNF UK summer hats 8 July 2019.jpg|Paper sun hats reading "JNF UK wishes you a lovely summer holiday", from the school's post of 8 July 2019
 +
File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Hebrew summer market vocabulary 8 July 2019.jpg|"Hebrew Summer Market Vocabulary – Nancy Reuben School" sheet for the JNF-linked shuk, 8 July 2019
 +
File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Negev Sinai twinning board 18 July 2019.jpg|Display board, "School twinning program: NRPS (UK) and Negev-Sinai (Israel)", with British and Israeli flags and a JNF UK logo, posted 18 July 2019
 +
File:Nancy Reuben Primary School JNF UK banner 18 July 2019.jpg|JNF UK banner, "Supporting Israel for Life" and "Building Israel since 1901", in the school hall, posted 18 July 2019
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
===Yom HaZikaron===
 +
[[File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Yom HaZikaron display 14 April 2021.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Yom HaZikaron display at the school, 14 April 2021: an Israeli flag, memorial candles, a poster with the IDF emblem and memorial posters for two named fallen Israeli soldiers]]
 +
[[File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Facebook post Yom HaZikaron 14 April 2021.png|thumb|right|300px|The school's Facebook post of 14 April 2021: "Today at school we remembered the fallen of the State of Israel."]]
 +
On 14 April 2021, Israel's [[Yom Hazikaron|Yom HaZikaron]] (Memorial Day for fallen soldiers), the school posted: "Today at school we remembered the fallen of the State of Israel." The photo shows a table draped in an Israeli flag with memorial candles, in front of a board of posters including one reading "נזכור ולא נשכח! את חללי מערכות ישראל ולוחמי תקומת המדינה" ("We will remember and not forget! The fallen of Israel's wars and the fighters of the state's rebirth") above the emblem of the [[Israel Defense Forces]], and memorial posters for two named Israeli soldiers.<ref name="NRPSFB20210414">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4234089826623455&set=pb.100063664148928.-2207520000&type=3 Photo: Yom HaZikaron display] ''Facebook'', 14 April 2021, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref>
 +
 
 +
===Prayers for IDF soldiers (October 2023)===
 +
[[File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Facebook post Tehillim for our Chayalim 10 October 2023.png|thumb|right|300px|The school's post of 10 October 2023 introducing its "Tehillim for our Chayalim" list, followed by Psalm 121 (list of names not reproduced)]]
 +
[[File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Facebook post updated IDF list 11 October 2023.png|thumb|right|300px|The school's post of 11 October 2023: "an updated list of NRPS Alumni and friends and family on NRPS Families who are currently serving in the IDF" (list not reproduced)]]
 +
On 10 October 2023 the school posted a list headed "Tehillim for our Chayalim" (Psalms for our soldiers) on its own letterhead, introduced as "A list of names of NRPS Alumni and friends and family of NRPS Families who are currently serving to protect Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael", followed by the text of Psalm 121. The first version named three alumni.<ref name="NRPSFB20231010" /> The next day it posted "an updated list of NRPS Alumni and friends and family on NRPS Families who are currently serving in the IDF to protect Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael".<ref name="NRPSFB20231011">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=801082058690592&set=p.801082058690592&type=3 "Here is an updated list of NRPS Alumni and friends and family on NRPS Families who are currently serving in the IDF"] ''Facebook'', 11 October 2023, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref> The updated list had 77 entries, four of them alumni and 73 family members and friends of school families. Three entries were repeated, giving about 74 different people.<ref name="NRPSFB20231011" />
 +
[[File:Jewish Chronicle 28 November 2025 p28 Nancy Reuben Benji sanctuary.png|thumb|right|300px|"Healing sanctuary planned in memory of British IDF hero," 28 November 2025.<ref name="JCBenji2025">''The Jewish Chronicle'', 28 November 2025, p.28, "Healing sanctuary planned in memory of British IDF hero", [https://www.thejc.com/archive/MjliMmFhYzctOTRhNC00 archive], accessed 6 November 2026.</ref>]]
 +
* On 28 November 2025 ''The Jewish Chronicle'', under the headline "Healing sanctuary planned in memory of British IDF hero," reported that Benji — "a former student at Nancy Reuben Primary School in Hendon" who "moved to Israel aged eight" — served in the Engineering Corps' 601st Battalion and was killed after 7 October; he was 19. His sister Yael Schlagman spoke at a Borehamwood vigil; the family were raising funds for a sanctuary in his memory.<ref name="JCBenji2025">''The Jewish Chronicle'', 28 November 2025, p.28, "Healing sanctuary planned in memory of British IDF hero", [https://www.thejc.com/archive/MjliMmFhYzctOTRhNC00 archive], accessed 6 November 2026.</ref>
 +
 
 +
===Israeli flags, May 2025===
 +
On 1 May 2025 the school posted photos of pupils in its playground with Israeli flags. One shows a class group in front of a large Israeli flag; the other shows several hundred pupils gathered in the playground, holding Israeli flags, with more flags hung on the surrounding fences.<ref name="NRPSFB20250501">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/nancyreubenprimaryschool/posts/pfbid036BkeTXQf9LzxGmDeyxk86tBoikHWmDEJFPd8ykw3EEStcWRdrJTe3B4pGVctv3E7l Post with Israeli-flag photos] ''Facebook'', 1 May 2025, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref><ref name="NRPSFB20250501a">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1239114231554037&set=pcb.1239114321554028 Photo: pupils with Israeli flags] ''Facebook'', 1 May 2025, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref><ref name="NRPSFB20250501b">Nancy Reuben Primary School, [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1239114224887371&set=pcb.1239114321554028 Photo: pupils with Israeli flags] ''Facebook'', 1 May 2025, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).</ref>
 +
 
 +
<gallery widths="220px" heights="200px">
 +
File:Nancy Reuben Primary School pupils with Israeli flag 1 May 2025.jpg|A class group in front of a large Israeli flag in the school playground, posted 1 May 2025
 +
File:Nancy Reuben Primary School pupils with Israeli flags in playground 1 May 2025.jpg|Pupils gathered in the playground with Israeli flags, more flags hung on the fences, posted 1 May 2025
 +
File:Nancy Reuben Primary School Facebook photo page Israeli flags 1 May 2025.png|The Facebook photo page, dated 1 May 2025; the post gives no occasion
 +
</gallery>
 +
===Beit Halochem UK===
 +
[[Beit Halochem UK]], a British charity that raises money for the [[Beit Halochem]] rehabilitation centres for disabled Israeli soldiers and victims of attacks in Israel,<ref name="CC1146950">[[Charity Commission for England and Wales|Charity Commission]], [https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5026946/charity-overview BEIT HALOCHEM UK - 1146950], ''Register of Charities'', register data extract of 13 October 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> lists Nancy Reuben Jewish Primary School among the schools that took part in a non-uniform day in its aid. The charity's "For Schools" page, as archived in February 2025, thanked the schools listed "for showing solidarity with our soldiers".<ref name="BHUKSchools2025">[[Beit Halochem UK]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20250212075328/https://bhuk.org/pages/for-schools For Schools], ''bhuk.org'', archived by the Wayback Machine on 12 February 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The page also invites schools to host a veteran who will speak to pupils about "courage and resilience" and "the sacrifices made by our soldiers". By November 2026 the wording had become "our veterans", and the page said such visits had been "particularly meaningful" around [[Yom Ha'atzmaut]] and [[Yom Hazikaron]].<ref name="BHUKSchoolsLive">[[Beit Halochem UK]], [https://bhuk.org/get-involved/for-schools For schools], ''bhuk.org'' (page text and school logos), accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> In November 2026 the school's logo was among those displayed on the charity's schools page.<ref name="BHUKSchoolsLive" />
 +
 
 +
The chair of Beit Halochem UK is [[Andrew Wolfson]], who according to the charity has been a trustee since April 2016 and chairman since May 2018. The same page says he is also a trustee of [[The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust]].<ref name="BHUKTrusteesPage">[[Beit Halochem UK]], [https://bhuk.org/about/trustees Trustees], ''bhuk.org'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref>
 +
 
 
==Donations==
 
==Donations==
  
Line 29: Line 85:
 
===Annual reports===
 
===Annual reports===
 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20240214163556/https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Faccounts-resource&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_objectiveId=A10976638&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Faccounts-and-annual-returns&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=4028595 2020]
 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20240214163556/https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Faccounts-resource&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_objectiveId=A10976638&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Faccounts-and-annual-returns&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=4028595 2020]
 +
 +
== See also ==
 +
* [[Jewish Schools in the UK]]
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Latest revision as of 07:11, 6 November 2026

Nancy Reuben Primary School (URN 152214, voluntary aided school opened 15 September 2025[1]; earlier URN 133533, the predecessor independent school, closed 15 September 2025[2])

The school is run by Nancy Reuben Primary School (company) (Company number 06000294) and Nancy Reuben Primary School (charity) (Charity number: 1117515) |

Partnerships for Jewish Schools supported the school's move from the independent sector to state funding as a voluntary aided school in September 2025.[3]

Mrs Rubin, a teacher at the school, posts in March 2022 about students at the school participating in a Zionist regime propaganda operation encouraging land theft and settler colonialism: 'This afternoon Y5 had a unique opportunity to be in Jerusalem while sitting in our classroom in London: Chemed and the Israel Ministry of Education with the Jewish Agency invited us for an exciting virtual tour in the Kotel tunnels. Children from Israel and al around the world were invited to join the "Aliyah to Jerusalem" tour.'[4]

History

In July 2006 the Jewish Chronicle reported that Od Yosef Hai Primary in Hendon, which "shares premises with Od Yosef Hai Synagogue", was to be renamed the Nancy Reuben School in memory of the mother of David Reuben and Simon Reuben. It said that the complex "is in the midst of a £1.5 million redevelopment project" and that "the school and the Reuben Brothers declined comment on the matter."[5]

Advertisements in the paper in October and November 2006 invited parents to an open morning at "the Nancy Reuben Primary School (formerly known as OYH Primary School)" on Wednesday 8 November 2006 at 9.30am, with application forms available from 48 Finchley Lane, NW4 1DJ.[6]

The Jewish Weekly supplement page on the school, 24 September 2020, p. 28

In September 2020 The Jewish Weekly carried a supplement page on the school, sponsored by Jewish Legacy, which the school posted on its Facebook page.[7][8] It said the school, catering "for boys and girls from 2-11", had seen "a surge in applications" which head teacher Anthony Wolfson put down to "word of mouth", and that its families "are from both Ashkenazi and Sefardi backgrounds". It listed places offered to leavers at Hasmonean High School for boys and girls, Immanuel College, JFS, Yavne College, the Haberdashers' Aske's boys' and girls' schools, City of London and North London Collegiate. The page added that in the previous year two staff had won PaJeS awards and that the school was a member of the Independent Schools Association.[7]

People

Directors

Megan Joy Hill (22 August 2018) | Hacham Yaakov Hillel (16 November 2006) | Dayan Abraham David (16 November 2006) | Reuben Foundation(16 November 2006-) | Patrick Colin O'Driscoll (16 November 2006-22 August 2018)

Trustees

Reuben Foundation | Dayan Abraham David

Head teachers and governors

Anthony Wolfson, "Preventing the summer slide", Jewish Chronicle education supplement, 5 August 2022, signed as head teacher of the school

Anthony Wolfson was head teacher by September 2020,[7] and was still described as head teacher of the school when he wrote for the Jewish Chronicle's education supplement in August 2022.[9]

Letter of 30 March 2023 from the Chair of Governors announcing Rabbi Joshua Conway as head teacher, posted 31 March 2023

On 31 March 2023 the school posted a letter dated 30 March 2023 from Sharon Kelaty-Timsit, Chair of Governors, announcing that Rabbi Joshua Conway, who had been at the school for five years, had been appointed head teacher to succeed Mr Wolfson. The letter said the post had drawn applicants from the UK, America, Israel, Canada and South Africa.[10] The school's letterhead in October 2023 named "Rabbi J Conway" as headteacher.[11]

Zionism

  • 'Our economic education is often in-class activities and also delivered through assemblies as well as links with our JNF partner school in Negev Sinai, Israel.  It also includes the tzedaka (charity) pupils raise during the year for things like the Jewish Care Cake Sale and other charity events including the Camp Simcha Toy Drive for sick children in hospital.'[12];
  • 'This afternoon Y5 had a unique opportunity to be in Jerusalem while sitting in our classroom in London: Chemed and the Israel Ministry of Education with the Jewish Agency invited us for an exciting virtual tour in the Kotel tunnels. Children from Israel and al around the world were invited to join the "Aliyah to Jerusalem" tour.'[4]
  • Israeli Chief Rabbinate / Jerusalem kollel. The 2001 launch of the school was held in the presence of Mordechai Eliyahu, the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel.[13] The school says foundation governor Rabbi Yossi David studied at Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak and then spent 12 years at the Kollel Darchei Horaah of Rabbi Eliyahu in Jerusalem, receiving rabbinical ordination from Eliyahu, from Rabbi Shalom Mashash, and from the Rabbanut Harashit.[14]

JNF UK partner school

Nancy Reuben Primary at a Hebrew shuk; caption calls it a JNF UK partner school, April 2019.[15]

On 19 April 2019 The Jewish Chronicle captioned a photograph: "Children from Nancy Reuben Primary in Hendon, a JNF UK partner school, enjoying their time at the shuk, where stalls were linked to its Jewish studies lessons. Pupils were only allowed to buy items if the purchase was conducted in Hebrew."[15]

In a 27 September 2019 education round-up, Gina Benjamin wrote: "NRPS continues to develop its Israel education programme, as a JNF partner school."[16]

Gina Benjamin on NRPS as a JNF partner school, September 2019.[16]

On 8 July 2019 the school wrote on Facebook that Yonatan Galon, "CEO of JNF UK", and Ruth Wilkinson of the JNF had attended its end-of-term shuk (market), where pupils spent "NRPS Lirot" awarded by their Ivrit teachers. The post said: "We have had a wonderful year as a JNF Partner School - thank you JNF UK!! We look forward to continuing with our JNF Ivrit and Israel Education Projects in 2019/20".[17] JNF UK replied: "We are proud to be partnered with Nancy Reuben. Well done to all the staff and children for truly embracing their Israel education programme. Kol Hakavod!"[17] Photos with the post show "JNF UK wishes you a lovely summer holiday" sun hats for the children[18] and a modern Hebrew sheet headed "Hebrew Summer Market Vocabulary – Nancy Reuben School" (מילון שוק קיץ בעברית – בית הספר ננסי רובין), with phrases such as "How much is it?" and "May I please have a discount?"[19]

Photos posted on 18 July 2019 show a school display board headed "School twinning program: NRPS (UK) and Negev-Sinai (Israel)", with the Hebrew greeting "נעים להכיר!" ("Nice to meet you!"), the British and Israeli flags, the logo of the Negev Sinai state-religious (Mamlachti-Dati) school, a JNF UK logo and a map,[20] alongside a JNF UK banner reading "Supporting Israel for Life" and "Building Israel since 1901".[21]

  • The school's Facebook post of 8 July 2019: "We have had a wonderful year as a JNF Partner School - thank you JNF UK!! We look forward to continuing with our JNF Ivrit and Israel Education Projects in 2019/20"

  • JNF UK's comment on the post, 8 July 2019: "We are proud to be partnered with Nancy Reuben ... for truly embracing their Israel education programme"

  • Paper sun hats reading "JNF UK wishes you a lovely summer holiday", from the school's post of 8 July 2019

  • "Hebrew Summer Market Vocabulary – Nancy Reuben School" sheet for the JNF-linked shuk, 8 July 2019

  • Display board, "School twinning program: NRPS (UK) and Negev-Sinai (Israel)", with British and Israeli flags and a JNF UK logo, posted 18 July 2019

  • JNF UK banner, "Supporting Israel for Life" and "Building Israel since 1901", in the school hall, posted 18 July 2019

Yom HaZikaron

Yom HaZikaron display at the school, 14 April 2021: an Israeli flag, memorial candles, a poster with the IDF emblem and memorial posters for two named fallen Israeli soldiers
The school's Facebook post of 14 April 2021: "Today at school we remembered the fallen of the State of Israel."

On 14 April 2021, Israel's Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day for fallen soldiers), the school posted: "Today at school we remembered the fallen of the State of Israel." The photo shows a table draped in an Israeli flag with memorial candles, in front of a board of posters including one reading "נזכור ולא נשכח! את חללי מערכות ישראל ולוחמי תקומת המדינה" ("We will remember and not forget! The fallen of Israel's wars and the fighters of the state's rebirth") above the emblem of the Israel Defense Forces, and memorial posters for two named Israeli soldiers.[22]

Prayers for IDF soldiers (October 2023)

The school's post of 10 October 2023 introducing its "Tehillim for our Chayalim" list, followed by Psalm 121 (list of names not reproduced)
The school's post of 11 October 2023: "an updated list of NRPS Alumni and friends and family on NRPS Families who are currently serving in the IDF" (list not reproduced)

On 10 October 2023 the school posted a list headed "Tehillim for our Chayalim" (Psalms for our soldiers) on its own letterhead, introduced as "A list of names of NRPS Alumni and friends and family of NRPS Families who are currently serving to protect Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael", followed by the text of Psalm 121. The first version named three alumni.[11] The next day it posted "an updated list of NRPS Alumni and friends and family on NRPS Families who are currently serving in the IDF to protect Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael".[23] The updated list had 77 entries, four of them alumni and 73 family members and friends of school families. Three entries were repeated, giving about 74 different people.[23]

"Healing sanctuary planned in memory of British IDF hero," 28 November 2025.[24]
  • On 28 November 2025 The Jewish Chronicle, under the headline "Healing sanctuary planned in memory of British IDF hero," reported that Benji — "a former student at Nancy Reuben Primary School in Hendon" who "moved to Israel aged eight" — served in the Engineering Corps' 601st Battalion and was killed after 7 October; he was 19. His sister Yael Schlagman spoke at a Borehamwood vigil; the family were raising funds for a sanctuary in his memory.[24]

Israeli flags, May 2025

On 1 May 2025 the school posted photos of pupils in its playground with Israeli flags. One shows a class group in front of a large Israeli flag; the other shows several hundred pupils gathered in the playground, holding Israeli flags, with more flags hung on the surrounding fences.[25][26][27]

  • A class group in front of a large Israeli flag in the school playground, posted 1 May 2025

  • Pupils gathered in the playground with Israeli flags, more flags hung on the fences, posted 1 May 2025

  • The Facebook photo page, dated 1 May 2025; the post gives no occasion

Beit Halochem UK

Beit Halochem UK, a British charity that raises money for the Beit Halochem rehabilitation centres for disabled Israeli soldiers and victims of attacks in Israel,[28] lists Nancy Reuben Jewish Primary School among the schools that took part in a non-uniform day in its aid. The charity's "For Schools" page, as archived in February 2025, thanked the schools listed "for showing solidarity with our soldiers".[29] The page also invites schools to host a veteran who will speak to pupils about "courage and resilience" and "the sacrifices made by our soldiers". By November 2026 the wording had become "our veterans", and the page said such visits had been "particularly meaningful" around Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron.[30] In November 2026 the school's logo was among those displayed on the charity's schools page.[30]

The chair of Beit Halochem UK is Andrew Wolfson, who according to the charity has been a trustee since April 2016 and chairman since May 2018. The same page says he is also a trustee of The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust.[31]

Donations

Resources

Annual reports

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Department for Education, Nancy Reuben Primary School Get Information about Schools, URN 152214, accessed 31 October 2026.
  2. ↑ Department for Education, Nancy Reuben Primary School Get Information about Schools, URN 133533, accessed 31 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Simon Rocker, Nancy Reuben becomes first state Sephardi school Jewish Chronicle, 22 September 2025, accessed 31 October 2026.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Nancy Reuben Primary School, post by "Mrs. Rubin" (signed "Morah Sari") on the school's "School Story" feed in its parent messaging app, March 2022, screenshot at File:483478260 9389139891168373 4714002816771678744 n.jpg, uploaded 8 September 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.
  5. ↑ "Reuben school", Jewish Chronicle, 14 July 2006, p. 17.
  6. ↑ Advertisement, Jewish Chronicle, 27 October 2006, p. 48; repeated 3 November 2006, p. 58.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Nancy Reuben Primary School", The Jewish Weekly, 24 September 2020, supplement, p. 28.
  8. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Photo: Jewish Weekly supplement page on the school Facebook, 24 September 2020, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  9. ↑ Anthony Wolfson, "Preventing the summer slide", Jewish Chronicle, 5 August 2022, education supplement, p. 6.
  10. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, "Exciting news about our new headteacher!" Facebook, 31 March 2023, reproducing a letter of 30 March 2023 from the Chair of Governors, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Nancy Reuben Primary School, "Tehillim for our Chayalim" Facebook, 10 October 2023, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  12. ↑ https://archive.ph/yy5gr
  13. ↑ Od Yosef Hai, History, odyosefhai.com, accessed 5 November 2026.
  14. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, The Governing Board & Trustees, nrps.co.uk, accessed 5 November 2026.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Jewish Chronicle, 19 April 2019, p.24, archive, accessed 6 November 2026.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Gina Benjamin, The Jewish Chronicle, 27 September 2019, p.119, archive, accessed 6 November 2026.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Nancy Reuben Primary School, Post on the school's end-of-term shuk Facebook, 8 July 2019, with comment by JNF UK, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  18. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Photo: JNF UK summer hats Facebook, 8 July 2019, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  19. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Photo: Hebrew summer market vocabulary sheet Facebook, 8 July 2019, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  20. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Photo of the school twinning display board Facebook, 18 July 2019, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  21. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Photo of the JNF UK banner Facebook, 18 July 2019, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  22. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Photo: Yom HaZikaron display Facebook, 14 April 2021, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Nancy Reuben Primary School, "Here is an updated list of NRPS Alumni and friends and family on NRPS Families who are currently serving in the IDF" Facebook, 11 October 2023, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 The Jewish Chronicle, 28 November 2025, p.28, "Healing sanctuary planned in memory of British IDF hero", archive, accessed 6 November 2026.
  25. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Post with Israeli-flag photos Facebook, 1 May 2025, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  26. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Photo: pupils with Israeli flags Facebook, 1 May 2025, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  27. ↑ Nancy Reuben Primary School, Photo: pupils with Israeli flags Facebook, 1 May 2025, accessed 2 November 2026 (screenshot supplied).
  28. ↑ Charity Commission, BEIT HALOCHEM UK - 1146950, Register of Charities, register data extract of 13 October 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
  29. ↑ Beit Halochem UK, For Schools, bhuk.org, archived by the Wayback Machine on 12 February 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Beit Halochem UK, For schools, bhuk.org (page text and school logos), accessed 1 November 2026.
  31. ↑ Beit Halochem UK, Trustees, bhuk.org, accessed 1 November 2026.
Retrieved from "https://powerbase.info/index.php?title=Nancy_Reuben_Primary_School&oldid=302328"