British prime minister Tony Blair praised the Jewish education system last week as he attended the opening of a Charedi (orthodox) high school, Yesodai Hatorah Girls School in Stamford Hill in north London. (Click HERE for Pictures)

Despite the failure of a proposal by education minister Alan Johnson to introduce quotas into religious schools Blair said he believed that the people running Yesodai Hatorah had got it right.

“The reason why I was so keen to come today is because I think what you’re trying to do here in marrying Judaism with the basic purpose of education is exactly the right blend of the values that you believe in and the values that in the end must motivate and govern the whole of our country and society,�? Blair said.

School principal Rabbi Avraham Pinter stressed to Blair the need for ultra-orthodox schools like Yesodai Hatorah to retain their Jewish identity.

“We deeply appreciate your understanding of an education like ours, that combines the national curriculum with our haredi Jewish ethos and places an emphasis on citizenship and loyalty to one’s country,�? Pinter said. “We’re proud that many of our Jewish schools are beacon schools who generate good Jews and good British citizens alike.�?

Also attending the ceremony were Lord Levy, Councillor Afolasade Bright, the speaker of Hackney Council, the head of the London Bet Din Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu and Henry Grunwald, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

The prime minister also used the opportunity to praise the spirit in the school. He said: “When you visit a school – and I visit many, many schools – you can tell immediately when you enter what sort of spirit there is at the school and as I came in the doors of this school today, I thought this is a place where people take pride in learning and pride in the community and take pride in becoming responsible citizens in our society.”

And Pinter paid tribute to Blair, calling him “the architect of education�? and saying “Other governments promised; we had lots of promises but you delivered and we thank you.�?

EJP