JLC appoints Hasmo head to lead education reform

The Jewish Leadership Council has welcomed the appointment of Rabbi David Meyer to head the body charged with reforming and future-proofing Jewish education.

Meyer, who has been the Executive Head of Hasmonean for the past five years, will now lead the Partnership for Jewish Schools (PaJeS) following the recent departure of Alistair Falk after headteachers warned of a “leadership crisis” in the sector.

Before becoming Executive Head at Hasmo, Meyer was Head of the Boys’ School, where he founded the Department for Informal Jewish Education and implemented the Sixth Form Jewish Studies Programme.

He is the Rabbinical Director of the Jewish Association for Business Ethics, and co-authored the Money & Morals curriculum. He has also developed curricula for Yad Vashem and directed the Israel Fellowships programme.

“We are delighted to have attracted someone of Rabbi Meyer’s undoubted quality to this role,” said JLC grandee and PaJeS chair Jonathan Goldstein.

“His seniority, experience and wisdom will be vital in guiding PaJeS through the next stage of its development.”

Meyer will be charged with providing “strategic support, direction and services” to Jewish schools, and among his first tasks will be getting to grips with the apparent shortage of headteachers and Jewish Studies teachers.

“At a time when our schools face so many challenges, I look forward to taking on these responsibilities,” said Meyer. “I am enormously excited to have the opportunity to play this strategic leadership role in supporting the schools of our community.”