 | Benji Sassoon
Broughton Park, Manchester
"I think if someone is not halachically Jewish and is in a school where everyone else is, then they could be discriminated against. Why would they want to be there? I don’t think the courts should be involved at all."
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 | Howard Isenberg
Swiss Cottage
"It’s a very tough situation. Where do you draw the line? It poses questions rather than giving answers. The school has been put in a very difficult position. It’s a matter of waiting to see what its response is."
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 | Rivka Sigher
Golders Green
"Years ago my friend converted and it took her six years. She had six children before finishing the conversion - and she could not get them into JFS. The ruling is an opening for trouble because everyone will want a place in a Jewish school, Jewish or not."
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 | Caroline Stern
North London
"There are big implications. If the Chief Rabbi decides a kid is not Jewish, then it’s decided. I know the community is changing, but how far do you go? If you say everybody can decide on religious matters then you simply throw religion out of the door."
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 | Audelia Rahamim
St John’s Wood
"JFS does not allow non-Jews into the school because it’s so over-subscribed. Even Orthodox Jews cannot get their children a place. If it’s a Jewish school, the Chief Rabbi should decide and places should go to Jewish kids first. If a child is Jewish by law, they should have priority."
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 | Warren Gold
Radlett
"If a family wish to follow the Jewish way of life and start learning in a Reform or Progressive manner, there’s no reason why they could not become more Orthodox if they wish. I’d much rather the child goes to a Jewish school than not go and be lost to the religion all together."
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