Shadow Education Secretary Lucy Powell reaffirms commitment to Jewish schools, RE and Hebrew

The Board of Deputies met with Shadow Education Secretary Lucy Powell to discuss the Jewish community’s priorities in the field of education.

The meeting discussed Jewish faith schools, security provision, ensuring the future Hebrew language teaching and ensuring good-quality teaching of Religious Education.

Lucy Powell said: “I was glad to meet with the Board of Deputies to talk about how we can work together to promote understanding and educational excellence in all schools and ensure a broad and balanced curriculum, which equips all our young people with the skills and strengths to succeed.

“Jewish schools, like other faith schools, form an important part of the state’s provision and Labour will continue its support for them and for their security, alongside our commitment to heritage languages, including Hebrew, and high quality RE to ensure better understanding and community cohesion.

“I look forward to continuing my discussions with the Board of Deputies in the future and welcome the opportunity of a visit to a Jewish school.”

Following the meeting, Board Vice President Sheila Gewolb said: “This was a welcome opportunity to discuss the Jewish community’s priorities with Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary. We found her engaged and sympathetic and look forward to a close working relationship with Lucy in her new role. We have invited her to visit a Jewish school and look forward to organising that in the near future”.

The Board was represented by Vice President Sheila Gewolb, Chief Executive Gillian Merron and Education Policy and Projects Manager Sara Perlmutter.

 Photo: (left to right) Gillian Merron, Sara Perlmutter, Lucy Powell and Sheila Gewolb