The report is a testament to the School as an outstanding Jewish school. It showcases the school’s commitment to an outstanding and inclusive Jewish education for all children. The observations conducted on the team over the inspection highlighted their remarkable dedication, while integrated Jewish lessons were commended for their exceptional quality. The report unequivocally acknowledges the outstanding Jewish education provided at Clore Tikva School.

Clore Tikva is commitment to nurturing the personal and spiritual development of all students, through the tireless efforts of the caring staff in collaboration with parents, which has resulted in the exceptional outcomes which were highlighted by the Pikuach inspectors. The report attests to the collective success in achieving outstanding Jewish Personal and Spiritual Development.

Head Teacher Margot Buller said on receiving the report,” As an experienced headteacher with a 24-year tenure across various schools, I can confidently state that Clore Tikva is unlike any other educational institution I have had the privilege of leading. The incredible spirit of collaboration and support within our team and community is truly remarkable. We firmly believe that a school’s strength lies in the collective efforts of its members, including parents, staff, and students. Throughout the Pikuach inspection process, we ensured that everyone’s voice was heard and valued.

What particularly warmed my heart while perusing the report was the inspectors’ recognition and celebration of the school we know and love. Their observations aligned perfectly with our own perceptions of Clore Tikva, reaffirming our dedication to inclusivity and acknowledging it as a core value. As a headteacher, I firmly believe that Pikuach holds greater significance than OFSTED, as it captures the heart and soul of our school and defines Clore Tikva’s purpose.

On behalf of Clore Tikva School, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have diligently worked amidst significant challenges over the past four years. This outstanding Pikuach report is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our entire school community, and we can all take immense pride in this remarkable achievement.”

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A BUDDING young Jewish artist from Buckhurst Hill has won two competitions for his drawing skills.

Noah Keller’s first win came in a contest held by Wohl Ilford Jewish School (WIJPS) in a bid to stop parents’ cars polluting the environment.

The competition came about after student Sammy Carter began to worry about the impact of parents leaving their cars running during drop off and pick up.

Sammy argued the exhaust fumes were polluting the car park and environment, while also exacerbating the health problems of those with asthma or compromised breathing.

The school listened to his views, and agreed that running a poster competition to shine a light on the problem and galvanise change would be the best way forward.

Noah, who is in year 5 at WIJPS, and Brooke Strong, in year 6, were chosen as the winners and both of their posters have been made into banners for the car park to remind motorists to turn off their engines when waiting in their cars.

His second win was in a national art competition held by travel platform Dog Furiendly and pet healthcare specialists Bob Martin.

Hundreds of children across the UK submitted drawings or paintings prompted by the question ‘what will dogs look like in 130 years’ time?’

Nine-year-old Noah scooped first place in the 5-11 year olds category with his art piece Lightning the Robo Dog.

Noah, a member of Cranbrook United Synagogue, said: “My dog is half robot. He is an inventor and his name is Lightning. He has x-ray vision and a laser eye. Also, he has a magnificent helmet that translates his barks into English and allows him to time-travel.”

The artwork has now been re-mastered and printed onto a range of products to raise funds for Pets As Therapy and their Read2Dogs scheme. The Read2Dogs scheme helps around 6,000 children each year who find reading difficult or stressful.

The winning designs and products from the competition – held to coincide with Bob Martin’s 130 year anniversary – can be found at www.dogfuriendly.com/barktothefuture.

Mum Belinda Keller said: “We are all so proud of Noah. He has put so much effort into these competitions and it’s lovely to have seen it rewarded.”

The post <strong>Double win for  young artist Noah</strong> appeared first on Essex Jewish News.

TWO years ago, on the publication of her first children’s book Lark the Shark, with its environmentally-friendly theme, Natalie Newman showed she’s a woman ahead of her time.

Young readers will now be flocking to read the latest instalment in the series, again a collaboration with her 10-year-old son Henry, a pupil at Clore Tikva Primary School

“Henry takes everything in his stride and while proud of our achievements is in fact very shy about it,” his mum admits.

“Each story takes a couple of hours to write, then we put it aside and come back again and again to edit it with fresh eyes.”

This time Lark shares the title and his underwater adventures with a new friend, Wanda the Whale, and they clean up the sea together.

Natalie told us: “While the books are colourful and fun for young people to read, the key message is to inspire them to think about shark conservation, water pollution, recycling and looking after our planet.”

Natalie is a regular visitor to schools around Essex, where she holds interactive book reading sessions. Similar programmes are held online and seen by young people all over the world. The feedback to both has been amazing.

A self-employed hairdresser, as well as an author, Natalie lives in Romford with husband Adam, an IT engineer, Henry and his younger brother Leo, aged seven. Both boys attend Clore Tivka.

But life hasn’t always been an easy ride, far from it: Natalie told us: “Both boys were premature and in hospital for some time. It was a very tough, emotional journey I will never forget. But it also taught me never to take anything for granted.”

Today environmental issues make daily headlines. However, what Natalie has proved is that there are other effective ways of getting the message across rather than gluing oneself to the M25 or jetting around the world to conferences.

Hence the creation of lovable, sensitive Lark. As well as the environmental messages, the books also have an important point to make on diversity and inclusion.

Natalie explains: “Lark wants to banish negative feelings about him being a shark by teaching children not to judge others by the way they look but on what they do.”

If young readers’ response to this latest book is as enthusiastic as when Lark made his first appearance two years ago, the coming weeks and months will be even more hectic. Fortunately, though, Natalie is blessed with boundless energy and enthusiasm and says life’s too short to waste.

So how do she and Henry see their creation’s future? “We would absolutely love to see him brought to life as animated character,” she revealed. “That would be our dream, to see him on the big screen teaching children about the importance of his message in our book.”

• Lark the Shark is published by Austin Macauley, also responsible for the illustrations, and available from Waterstones, Amazon, WHSmith, Foyles and all good book shops.

• For those interested in arranging school visits, talks, book signings and other events, Natalie can be contacted on natalie.newman@helpmenewman.com.

The post No time to Lark about for son and mum authors appeared first on Essex Jewish News.

Leslie would come into King Solomon every year and give a talk to the students about his time serving our country. He had a wonderful sense of humour and never failed to make his audience laugh even whilst talking about such a difficult subject.

Pamela shared many pictures and artefacts about her father and his story of survival during World War ll.Amelie Marks, who is in year 8, said:  “It’s important that we remember what generations before us went through to enable us to live the way we do today. I wish I could have met Leslie, he sounds like he was a really special man”.

The post <strong><em>Leslie’s legacy lives on at King Solomon</em></strong> appeared first on Essex Jewish News.

Performing a mix of good deeds – from entertaining at care homes to collecting for those in need – the young people were among 30,000 volunteers all over the UK taking part in the country’s biggest faith-based day of social action.

Laura Marks OBE said: “I started Mitzvah Day when my own children were three, five and seven and I could sense straight away how they, and all their friends taking part, just ‘got it’ and understood how they were making a difference.

“Now, years later, I continue to be passionate about the ability of young people to give their time meaningfully from a very young age.

“The stories I’ve heard about all the wonderful things Essex children and young people did this Mitzvah Day confirm that nothing has changed.”

Redbridge’s two Jewish primary schools put on a number of projects to tie in the with the day’s theme of Winter Warmers – aimed to bring comfort, warmth and cheer to friends and neighbours.

Children from Clore Tikva Primary School visited Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre (RJCC) to entertain and chat with the older members at a special intergenerational event.

The pupils and older people swapped mitzvah trees. Each leaf contains a motivational, heart-warming quote which will be taken down and read to the children during their Kabbalat Shabbat assembly, while RJCC members will do the same at the centre.

Clore Tikva Jewish studies teacher Samantha Bendon said, “This is such a wonderful project and we hope this Mitzvah Day will mark the beginning of a very special relationship between the children of Clore Tikva and the members of the RJCC.”

RJCC coordinator Timea Kasza added: “This project will continue to warm the hearts of our older members and of the young school children when they read out the positive messages and think of each other. Jewish Care’s community centres are keeping people warm this winter, not just physically, but by connecting older people with each other and with the community too.”

Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary School students and their families donated toys and books to Camp Simcha for children in hospital and wrote them get well cards. There was also a collection for Good for You, which distributes items to vulnerable people both in the UK and abroad.

Pupils were allowed to wear green instead of their school uniform for the day and the school was delighted to welcome the CEO of Camp Simcha, Neville Goldschneider, who spoke about the charity’s work.

Cheders in the area also got involved. The children at East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue collected toys and games for Haven House Children’s Hospice, while the adults donated dry in date food items and toiletries for Jason Lee House’s Single Homeless Project. Jason Lee House in Ilford provides temporary, and in some cases longer term, accommodation for homeless people.

Southend Reform Synagogue’s young people made get well cards for friends that are unwell, while the entire congregation collected for both HARP, a local homeless charity, and a nearby food bank.

Other projects included Ilford Federation Synagogue collecting food for GIFT and painting furniture at Jewish Care’s Vi and John Rubens House, and JBD tenants donating books to Langdon’s New Chapters.

Meanwhile SWESRS used Mitzvah Day to relaunch their food bank drives. Over the course of the day, members brought shopping bags to support the local Trussell Trust. Rabbi Lev Taylor said: “Our ambition was to fill a box. We filled seven!”

Back at the RJCC, member and volunteer Nettie Keene and her Knit and Natter with Nettie group – which includes RJCC members Rita Shaw, Sonia Black and Sadie Levy – made blankets which they sent to residents at Jewish Care’s Vi & John Rubens House care home.

Mitzvah Day has the support of all of Britain’s political and faith leaders. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Mitzvah Day is a very special time of year. It helps to foster a wonderful community spirt, celebrating diversity of faith or belief, and demonstrating that we each have a responsibility to one another.”

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, is a long-term Mitzvah Day supporter and took part once more this year, joining South Hampstead Synagogue to collect and pack clothes for people in need supported by local charities. He said: “Mitzvah Day is emblematic of the country we are, and the values we hold.”

Reflecting on the theme of Winter Warmers and the efforts of all those across Essex, Mitzvah Day CEO Stuart Diamond said: “It was very powerful to see so many communities came together with friends and neighbours of all ages, faiths and backgrounds to ensure that all the elements of warmth were taken care of this Mitzvah Day – from clothing and cooking to visits that bring cheer.”

The post Essex youth lead the way on Mitzvah Day appeared first on Essex Jewish News.

Rabbi Rafi Goodwin of Hainault and Chigwell Synagogue has seen the film and was so deeply moved by this powerful production that he wanted others to have the opportunity to watch it for themselves.

“I can’t recommend this highly enough. It is such an amazing initiative which allows people of all ages to experience what our people went through during the Holocaust. Not everyone can easily arrange a trip to Auschwitz or may be apprehensive to do so, but this production enables everyone to get a tour while also educating and inspiring the participants.”

He adds: “We are blessed that we are able to offer this experience to our community and are extremely thankful to our generous donors who have enabled us to subsidise this event. The uptake has been really great. We can see there is definitely a demand for this event and would love it if as many people as possible are able to share in this unique opportunity.”

The viewing will take place on Sun 6th November at 8pm (prompt) at Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue and is open to members and non-members alike. Doors open at 7:45pm

Tickets cost £15 each and can be booked online.

Refreshments will be served.

*Please note that it is suggested that only those over the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah should attend, due to the content of the film *

The post Bringing Auschwitz to life virtually appeared first on Essex Jewish News.

The club is in addition to their individual lessons for their batmitzvah presentations hosted by Henny Brandman. The course was held once a month at Chabad Buckhurst Hill and sessions included personalising shabbat candles, mother & daughter challah bakes, creating floral masterpieces, and all whilst having fun with friends.

The year culminated in a celebration and graduation ceremony for all the family to enjoy, each girl was presented with a certificate and a special charm symbolising the values they had learnt about. If your daughter is approaching batmitzvah age sign up now for the coming years course.

The post A BIG batmitzvah club mazel tov appeared first on Essex Jewish News.

IT was great to finish off the end of the school year, by welcoming three new cubs. Zack Peston, Eden Birt and Max Bluman were all invested at our last meeting in front of their proud families.

They may look a bit soggy in the picture and that’s because they had just come back inside from a water fight. If you think they look wet, you should have seen leader Michael Mallach… but sadly no pictures are available.

We have three more cubs to invest when we return from the summer break and more to come in October too.

Akela Howard Temple said: “This is a very exciting time for the 12th Ilford. After being closed during the Covid pandemic, we are now able to meet weekly again. Last week we visited Hainault fire station and the cubs all got to sit in the fire engines and take turns learning how to use the equipment. This visit was part of their fire safety badge.”

We have cubs on our waiting list who are in school year two, who will be ready to join us when they reach seven and a half years old. We meet every Thursday in term time from 7-8pm at the Redbridge Scout Hut.

If your child is over seven and a half (school years two, three, four or five), and interested in joining, or is aged seven and wants to join our waiting list, please email 12thilfordcubs@gmail.com to register your interest and get more details.

The post Investing in the future of the 12th Ilford Cubs appeared first on Essex Jewish News.

The passing of Her Majesty the Queen has had an impact on all of us in the country. But for a boy of seven from Redbridge, in Ilford, it has left him with an extra special memory that will stay with him his whole life.

Charlie Berg who goes to Clore Tikva School in Barkingside wrote to the Queen in the summer to congratulate her on her Platinum Jubilee. Charlie was shocked to receive a letter from The Queen which had been posted on the day of her passing. The letter expressed the Queen’s ‘grateful thanks’ for his ‘kind message on the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of my accession to the throne’

Charlie’s mother Gemma Berg said ‘I feel emotional about it, I was shocked that it had the post mark from the date she had sadly passed away and I knew how excited he would be. He said to me when he found out about her death do you think she would have read my letter, but we didn’t realise there would be a reply’.

Charlie added ‘when I opened my card, I was really excited I was so happy. I was smiling. I wanted to write to the Queen because I wanted her to visit my house so I could tell her about my family and hear about her family. My mum is going to frame the letter and put it somewhere safe so I can show all my friends’.

Margot Buller, Head Teacher at Clore Tikva School said’ As a school we have always taught the children to honour and respect the monarch. Earlier in the year we undertook celebrations for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee, and we were so pleased that the children really engaged with the occasion. For one of our students to directly correspond with the monarch and receive a letter from the Queen on the day of her passing shows her dedication to her role’.

The news has caused a real stir with Charlie making an appearance on BBC London News and BBC Radio. 

He is now busy writing his next letter to congratulate His Majesty King Charles III on his accession to the throne and hopes he will visit his house soon.

The post <strong>The Queen’s Final Letter</strong> appeared first on Essex Jewish News.

PUPILS from King Solomon High School received a fantastic set of A-Level and GCSE results. 

Overall 72% of A-Level grades were A*-C and 49% of grades were A*-B. Students are now going on to a variety of universities and apprenticeships including the University of Nottingham, King’s College London, Imperial College London and the University of Bristol. 

The school’s highest A-Level achievers, receiving all As and A*s, were Alessia Bowman, Ari Carmel-Brown, Sam Chevin, Sacha Choi, Sam Feldman, Ana Palade, Jasminder Tania, Matilda Villa and Salvina Zahir. 

Headteacher Hannele Reece said: “I am very proud of all our students, to sit their first ever public examinations against the backdrop of the Covid pandemic and receive such amazing results is testament to their resilience and hard work. 

“Congratulations to all our students and the team of staff that supported them in achieving these wonderful results.  I wish all our students the very best in their next steps and look forward to hearing about their future successes.” 

King Solomon is also celebrating “another fantastic set of GCSE results despite the challenges of the pandemic”. Most of those having completed their GCSEs will now be continuing into sixth form at the school. 

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