Reform Response to JFS Ruling
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
JFS Case: Supreme Court Ruling Wednesday 16th December 2009
The Supreme Court today upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal which had declared that it was discriminatory and therefore unlawful to exclude Jewish children not regarded by the Chief Rabbi as Jewish from JFS. Five members of the Court said that the JFS admissions criteria represented discrimination, two said that they represented indirect discrimination and only two declared them non-discriminatory.
We are delighted that the admissions policy of JFS – which actively de-legitimises our converts and our rabbis – has been confirmed as unlawful and unacceptable by the highest court in the land.
Many of us continue to have serious reservations about the applicability of the Race Relations Act to matters of Jewish status and the involvement of the courts in matters which should be the preserve of the Jewish community. There are considerable potential dangers to going down this road.
We also have reservations about the applicability of a "faith test" to Judaism. It is an impractical solution, ill suited to a religious culture. However, we will live with a faith or practice test as by far 'the lesser of two evils'.
JCoSS will open its doors in September 2010 bringing a new, inclusive, pluralist approach to Jewish education. Thankfully we can now concentrate on supporting this important and exciting development in the community's education provision.
Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Head of the Movement for Reform Judaism
To read an article on the ruling in The Guardian by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, click here
To find out more about JCoSS (Jewish Community Secondary School), click here
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