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).
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][9]
- '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.'[10]
- '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!'[11]
- '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.'[12]
- '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.'[13]
- 'This week our Head Boy and Head Girl team hosted the Senior Prefect teams from Immanuel College, JCOSS and Yavneh College for an Israel themed inter-school event. They discussed the various student-led initiatives taking place at each school, as well as Yom Hazikaron, Yom Ha’Atzmaut and October 7th; lighting candles and telling stories in remembrance. They then created hostage badges to be distributed to students in each school. This was a meaningful opportunity for the schools to reflect the unity within our community. A huge thank you to GIFT, for making these activities possible.[14]
Israel residential Scheme
The school has been running Israel residential trips to pupils for nearly 50 years. The informatioin about the programme of events here is sourced from the 2020 briefing posted on the school website.[15] In 2020 the trip lasted three months from 5 january to 30 March. The programme was arranged in partnership with Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) and 'promotes the values and ethos of JFS including the ideals of Zionist Modern Orthodoxy.'[15] The brochure claims: 'Students develop a deeper sense of pride and attachment to their Yidishkite and connection to Israel. Students also gain skills to become more mature, worldly, independent and self-aware. They also gain Israel literacy, invaluable knowledge about Israel. Many alumni refer to our programme as the single greatest experience of their life.'[15]
Wiping Zionist content from the website
Between the 7 October 2024[16] and the 13 November 2024,[17] JFS deleted its website and uploaded an entirely new site. One effect of this was that the following terms were eliminated: 'IDF', 'Zionist' and 'Zionism'.
Funding
- The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust | Wolfson Family Charitable Trust | Bluston Charitable Settlement | Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation | Garrard Family Foundation
People
Directors
Name | Correspondence address | Role | Position | Date of birth | Appointed on | Resigned on | Nationality | Country of residence | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manpreet Kaur Bal | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Active | Secretary | 5 July 2021 | |||||
Robert Bradley Gershon | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Active | Director | July 1975 | 31 March 2023 | British | United Kingdom | Chartered Accountant | |
Mark Michael Hurst | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Active | Director | January 1971 | 1 September 2024 | British | England | Solicitor | |
Richard Ian Kafton | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Active | Director | October 1956 | 13 December 2005 | British | England | Ifa | |
Dr David Moody | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Active | Director | June 1979 | 26 January 2022 | British | United Kingdom | Headteacher | |
Ishai Eliezer Novick | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Active | Director | May 1971 | 6 July 2011 | British | England | Company Director | |
Stephen Howard John Pack | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Active | Director | April 1950 | 22 April 2021 | British | England | Chartered Accountant | |
Philip Bunt | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Secretary | 22 July 2014 | 30 November 2020 | ||||
Richard Anthony Gold | 39 Oakleigh Avenue, London, N20 9JE | Role Resigned | Secretary | 2 March 2000 | 13 December 2005 | British | Solicitor | ||
David Russel Lerner | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Secretary | 13 December 2005 | 22 July 2014 | British | School Administrator | ||
Simon Appleman | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | August 1974 | 1 September 2016 | 4 June 2018 | British | England | Headteacher |
Julian David Bloom | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | October 1948 | 13 December 2005 | 31 December 2014 | British | England | Solicitor |
Julian David Bloom | 70 St Albans Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD1 3RP | Role Resigned | Director | October 1948 | 16 April 2000 | 19 March 2002 | British | Solicitor | |
Philip Alan Bunt | 176 Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, HA8 6QJ | Role Resigned | Director | January 1958 | 13 December 2005 | 31 August 2011 | British | United Kingdom | Chartered Accountant |
John Anthony Cooper | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | February 1946 | 11 September 2017 | 30 March 2023 | British | England | Chartered Accountant |
Geraldine Fainer | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | July 1963 | 1 September 2017 | 31 July 2019 | British | England | Lawyer |
Rachel Harriet Fink | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | July 1969 | 4 June 2018 | 31 May 2021 | British | England | Headteacher |
Sidney Frosh | 50 Lodge Close, Canons Drive, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7RL | Role Resigned | Director | August 1923 | 22 March 2006 | 5 July 2011 | British | None | |
Michael Stuart Glass | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | May 1962 | 11 January 2010 | 23 March 2015 | British | England | Chartered Accountant |
Richard Anthony Gold | 39 Oakleigh Avenue, London, N20 9JE | Role Resigned | Director | October 1941 | 2 March 2000 | 13 December 2005 | British | United Kingdom | Solicitor |
Neil Barry Harris | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | July 1966 | 1 September 2011 | 27 June 2016 | British | England | Chartered Accountant |
Rachel Harrison | 124 Hampden Road, London, N8 0HS | Role Resigned | Director | July 1946 | 3 September 2001 | 13 December 2005 | British | Student | |
Russell Ivor Kett | 62 Wychwood Avenue, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 6TH | Role Resigned | Director | May 1953 | 3 September 2001 | 11 January 2010 | British | United Kingdom | Company Director |
Jonathan Moss Miller | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | January 1962 | 1 January 2008 | 31 August 2016 | British | United Kingdom | Headteacher |
Graham Bennett Morrison-Wood | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | May 1951 | 13 December 2005 | 15 January 2020 | British | United Kingdom | Solicitor |
Andrew Moss | Jfs School, The Mall, Harrow, England, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | December 1972 | 1 September 2019 | 1 September 2024 | British | England | Consultant |
Ruth Renton | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | September 1970 | 8 December 2016 | 3 April 2017 | British | England | Solicitor |
Dame Ruth Laura Robins | 31 Regents Park Road, London, NW1 7TL | Role Resigned | Director | October 1946 | 3 September 2001 | 31 December 2007 | British | England | Headteacher |
Dr Lorraine Sherr | The Retreat, Tenterden Grove, London, NW4 1TH | Role Resigned | Director | November 1952 | 3 September 2001 | 13 December 2005 | British | United Kingdom | Prof Psychology |
Arnold Wagner | 91 Woodcock Hill, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 0JJ | Role Resigned | Director | September 1949 | 2 March 2000 | 13 December 2005 | British | Uk | Personnel Director |
Stuart Alexander Waldman | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | August 1968 | 26 July 2016 | 29 March 2021 | British | United Kingdom | Accountant |
Steven Woolf | Jfs School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow, HA3 9TE | Role Resigned | Director | January 1967 | 24 March 2015 | 30 June 2016 | British | England | Barrister |
Trustees
- Ishai Novick Chair (28 December 2011)
- Stephen Howard John Pack (22 April 2021). Also trustee of The Work Avenue Foundation | AJEX Charitable Foundation
- Andrew Moss (01 September 2019)
- John Anthony Cooper (11 September 2017). Also trustee of The Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences
- Richard Kafton (?)
Staff
Headteachers
2021– | Dr David Moody[18] |
2021 | Paul Ramsay (Acting Joint Headteacher)
Anna Joseph (Acting Joint Headteacher)[19] |
2021 | Martin Tissot (Interim Headteacher)[20] |
2021 | Sir Michael Wilshaw (Executive Headteacher)[21] |
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[22] |
1985–1993 | Josephine Wagerman, OBE[23] |
1973–1984 | Leslie Gatoff[24] |
1958–1972 | Dr. Edward S Conway[25] |
1897–1907 | Louis Barnett Abrahams[26] |
1842–1897 | Moses Angel |
1732–1757 | Samuel Grant |
1700-1732 | Marcelo Bielsa |
Former pupils
A-C
- Barney Barnato, Randlord
- Gina Bellman, actress[27]
- Raphael Benjamin, rabbi in Australia and America
- Eyal Booker, Love Island Contestant[28]
- Selig Brodetsky, mathematician, Zionist leader, and President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Benjamin Cohen, journalist and Channel 4 News presenter[29]
- Morris Cohen, adventurer
D-F
- Judith Flacks-Leigh
- Dean Furman (born 1988) - professional footballer
G-J
- 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
- David Joseph, chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK[30]
K-N
- 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
- Bernard Lewis, founder and owner, River Island[31]
- Joe Loss, musician
O-R
- Ofra Offer Oren, 'Israeli' writer, poet, blogger and translator
- Sandy Rashty, Journalist - Jewish Chronicle, Sky News;
- Steven Reingold, cricketer
- Barbara Roche, Labour politician
S-V
- Joel Samuels – DJ Luck, DJ
- Jez San, game designer, Argonaut Games
- Florence Schechter, founder of Vagina Museum and author
- Ian Stone, comedian
W-Z
Resources
- 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/
- https://www.thejc.com/news/jfs-a-christian-solution-for-a-jewish-school-q35s3db1
Deleted pages on JFS website
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240814085357/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/idf-the-moral-army/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240203004047/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/idf-soldiers-say-thank-you/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210115211716/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LEV-JFS-2020-Brochure.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230601024404/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/learning-to-use-the-wires-2/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240222102922/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/category/news/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240225091714/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/stand-with-us-israel-advocacy/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240422171611/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/gavin-stollar-obe-at-jfs/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240612151536/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/special-visitors-to-jfs/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240226120342/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/ivrit-and-israel-education/
Contact
- Internet Archive holdings of jfs.brent.sch.uk
- https://jfsconnect.com/
- Ofsted: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/133724
- https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03942126
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/20241007173149/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/lev-2/
- ↑ 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/
- ↑ Israel Inter-School Event, 16/05/2024.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Internet Archive copy: https://web.archive.org/web/20210115211716/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LEV-JFS-2020-Brochure.pdf
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20241007192713/https://jfs.brent.sch.uk/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20241113121258/https://www.jfs.brent.sch.uk/
- ↑ 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.