UK Jewish schools and nurseries open doors to hundreds of Israeli children and babies

UK Jewish schools and nurseries have opened their classroom doors to hundreds of Israeli children and babies fleeing conflict in the region. 

Around 200 enquiries have been made for places at Jewish state schools – with more Israeli children already enrolled at private schools and nurseries.

British-born Richard Binstock, who moved to Israel in 2009, has come back to London with his Israeli wife and three children, aged 7, 5 and 2 – who have all been temporarily enrolled at Jewish schools near London.

Forced to flee their home in Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv, he is now not sure if they will ever move back to the Jewish State.

“Leaving Israel was not an easy decision, but it was made easier when you have three young children living in the firing line,” said Mr Binstock, who landed in the UK the week after Hamas’ terror attack on October 7. “We have left our dog with friends in Israel. We took a flight to the UK via Athens. It wasn’t easy, but our flight was full and there were a significant number of English-speaking people with young families in the same position as us.”

He added: “I have no idea how long we will be here. I do not know if we will be here permanently or not. We need to reevaluate our lives, as so many people do. We are just taking it one step at a time. We don’t know how safe it is in Israel anymore.”

For now, Mr Binstock, who works in recruitment, has enrolled his toddler at the Bushey Gan nursery and his eldest two children at the fee-paying Immanuel Preparatory school, which is offering a discount to families fleeing Israel.

Recalling the moment they first heard the sirens on October 7, Mr Binstock said: “It was horrendous. We woke up and took the kids to the shelter, trying to make it into a game – but it did not work. Everyone was stressed, children in Israel know the sirens mean danger, no matter how you try to dress it up.”

He added: “The scars from this attack will stay forever for our generation. This is unlike any other incident, we all know someone who has been killed, kidnapped or is still missing. Our whole life has been turned upside down.”

The admissions procedure differs for private schools and state schools, where the process is managed by the local authority.

Rabbi David Meyer, the chief executive of PaJes, which represents Jewish schools across the UK, said: “The schools have made every effort to meet this challenge, but it is a complex task and in addition on to their academic studies, schools need to consider the well-being and mental health of these children, who have all going through a traumatic transition. There may also be a need to provide financial support to help families with school uniforms and school meals.”

In a joint statement by community groups PaJes, UJIA and The Jewish Agency for Israel – organisations that are co-ordinating this education effort – a spokesperson noted that most schools would ask parents to make “a ‘voluntary contribution’ to the costs of Jewish learning”, adding: “In many schools this money is also used to support the costs of security, which the UK government gives a grant for. Whilst schools appreciate this support these are voluntary donations, and all children receive the same provision irrespective of whether a parent donates.”

Thousands of families have been forced to leave their homes in Israel in the wake of ongoing rocket attacks since Hamas’ terror strike on October 7 – with hundreds deciding to resettle in the UK, living with relatives or renting properties until the conflict ends.