Jewish school accused on admissions

By · February 12, 2008

A prestigious Jewish school in London was accused of discrimination for refusing to accept the daughter of a convert.

The JFS, formerly known as the Jewish Free School, rejected the application of a girl whose mother is a convert to Judaism and a teacher in the school, the Times of London reported Tuesday. Her father is an Orthodox Jew.

The office of the chief rabbi, which acts as the school’s religious authority, does not recognize the mother’s conversion, which took place more than 20 years ago under the auspices of the same office.

The parents, David and Kate Lightman, say the north London school has violated British race laws and have requested a judicial review in the High Court regarding the admissions policy of the school, the largest Orthodox Jewish school in Europe with about 2,000 students.

The Times reported that children from two other families were refused admission based on questions about conversions. The school, which receives government funding, says the refusals were based on religion, not race.

The Lightmans have been battling for admission on behalf of their daughter, now 13, for four years.