VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS: Putting teachers on their pedestal

OUR COMMUNITY may sometimes be divided in terms of its affiliations, but on the most important issue of all we are united – the education of our children.

The inagural Jewish Schools Awards, organised by this newspaper and Partnerships for Jewish Schools, was a joyous celebration of this fact.

Our academically excellent schools score consistently high marks in GCSE and A-level national league tables, surpassing the UK average.

And they’re not just top of the class in religious studies. Caring and accomplished teachers with an unshakable belief in the power of study deliver exemplary results in every subject across the board.

We were delighted to celebrate the achievements ­– both in Jewish and secular subjects – of the 24 outstanding educators who made our eight shortlists. Our nine worthy winners merit repeat mention here.

They were Eliezer Segal of Beit Shvidler [who paid tribute to his mother-in-law, the much-loved former Yavneh College headteacher, Dena Coleman]; Sharron Krieger from JFS; Rosh Pinah librarian Katie Presser; Hasmonean High School Hebrew teacher Malka Goldblatt, Kerem’s ICT and sports teacher Daniel Moses; Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff of the Independent Jewish Day school and Patrick Moriarty of JCoSS. And the wife and daughter of the late Rabbi Chaim Warshawsky picked up a lifetime achievement award on his behalf.

Each of the remarkable individuals shortlisted in the Jewish Schools Awards demonstrate how faith schools can help, not hinder, academic success.

That’s why Jewish parents are increasingly confident about choosing a religious education for their children.

One of the night’s most memorable moments was provided by a donor who pledged £5,000 for each winning school and £1,000 for projects for all those shortlisted.

The choice available to parents to provide a top-class Jewish education has never been so broad and the quality of the teaching has never been so impressive.

These are exciting times indeed for our community’s schools. That is what the inaugural Jewish Schools Awards is all about.

Jewish News was honoured to work with Partnerships for Jewish Schools and event sponsors the Emmes Foundation to celebrate the talent and tireless work of teachers who inspire success year in and year out at Jewish primary and secondary schools nationwide.

Thanks for all you do to educate our children and secure our future. Here’s to next year’s awards!