<![CDATA[Jewish Community of Berkshire - The Living Orthodox Synagogue in Reading UK - Reviews]]>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:35:24 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[Uplands Primary School and Nursery & Forest Learning Alliance (in person visit, July 2025)]]>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/uplands-primary-school-and-nursery-forest-learning-allianceDear Jewish Community of Berkshire,
I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks on behalf of myself, my Year 1 class, and the whole school for Rabbi Zvi’s wonderful visit last week.
It was such a pleasure to welcome him back this year, his return was greatly anticipated, and he did not disappoint! His engaging talk about Judaism, its rich history and traditions, brought the subject to life for the children. Through his use of clothing, symbolism, and meaningful artefacts, he gave the children a memorable insight into Jewish culture and beliefs.
The beautiful paintings he shared, along with his explanations of key events and important buildings, really helped the children visualise and connect with what they were learning. They particularly enjoyed learning about the Sabbath and Shabbat, and were thrilled to taste challah bread and grape juice—it was a truly multi-sensory and inclusive experience.
Rabbi Zvi’s ability to communicate with children in such a warm, humorous, and joyful way is a gift. His whole-school assembly was equally inspiring, leaving both staff and pupils smiling and uplifted.
Please pass on our sincere thanks to Rabbi Zvi for sharing his time, knowledge, and spirit with us. We look forward to welcoming him again in the future.
Warmest regards,
Stuart McCann
Class Teacher
www.uplandsberkshire.org]]><![CDATA[St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Banbury (in person visit, June 2025)]]>Mon, 07 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/st-josephs-catholic-primary-school-banbury-in-person-visit-june-2025The Rabbi asked many questions and answered so many more. He was wonderful with our children and crossed so much with other religions.
....
We all found it really informative and detailed, we liked how the information linked to other religions and experiences that we had.

​www.st-josephs-banbury.oxon.sch.uk]]><![CDATA[Chiltern Hills Academy (in person visit, June 2025)]]>Sun, 15 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/chiltern-hills-academy-in-person-visit-june-2025Engaging, interactive and meaningful. The Rabbi is clearly experienced and interacted well with both pupils and staff. Topics explored covered a wide range of Beliefs and Practices in Judaism. 

www.chilternhillsacademy.co.uk
]]><![CDATA[Dr Radcliffe's Church of England Primary School (in person visit, May 2025)]]>Tue, 06 May 2025 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/dr-radcliffes-church-of-england-primary-school-in-person-visit-may-2025Rabbi Zvi has so much knowledge and is very approachable for the children. We really loved the prayers in Hebrew and relating the learning about Shabbat to the children's own experiences. Thank you, all our children thoroughly enjoyed the sessions!

www.dr-radcliffes.org.uk/
]]><![CDATA[The Batt Church of England Primary School (in person visit, February 2025)]]>Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/the-batt-church-of-england-primary-school-in-person-visit-february-2025The Rabbi really brought Judaism to life for the children. He made it fun and interesting for them. I liked that he brought along clothing and other artefacts for them to see and try. The children really enjoyed trying the Passover food. The children were talking about the visit afterwards and they reported back to their parents how much they liked it.
​
www.thebattschool.org.uk]]><![CDATA[St. Mark's Church of England Primary School Basingstoke (in person visit January 2025)]]>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 11:14:29 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/st-marks-church-of-england-primary-school-basingstoke​We loved how Rabbi Zvi connected the different beliefs from different faiths to Jewish beliefs to help build children's understanding. He also told the story in an engaging manner for the children, involving them and encouraging them to copy actions and phrases. This helped the children to learn and remember more. 

It was also fantastic that he shared what Jews do in response to these beliefs as this helped our children to understand the importance of Passover to many people of Jewish faith. It was lovely to hear him singing and speaking Hebrew too. We'd definitely book him again. 

-- Assistant Head Teacher 
www.stmarksprimary.net]]><![CDATA[Olive Tree Primary School Bolton (virtual visit October 2024)]]>Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:39:31 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/olive-tree-primary-school-bolton-virtual-visit-october-2024​The children really enjoyed the session and the found it very informative. This was particularly evident in the next RE lesson as they seemed to know all about the topic. They kept saying, 'The Rabbi told us all about it.’  

​It was nice for them to make a lot of connections with their learning and with Islam.
​
- Tseni Abolarin, UKS2 Leader and Science Lead
www.theolivetreeprimary.com]]><![CDATA[St Augustine's Catholic Primary School (June 2024)]]>Tue, 25 Jun 2024 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/st-augustines-catholic-primary-school-june-2024Children were able to learn about aspects of Jewish faith from an authentic speaker. 
Thank you so much for a wonderful, informative session. 
www.staugustine.surrey.sch.uk/surrey/primary/staugustines]]><![CDATA[Oaklands Junior school (June 2024)]]>Mon, 03 Jun 2024 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/oaklands-junior-school-june-2024Rabbi Zvi is very engaging with the children and makes them feel part of the discussion and learning. Lots of visual and stories to aid their understanding. 
Paula Jones, Class Teacher
oaklandsjunior-school.org.uk/
]]><![CDATA[St Andrew's Church of England Primary School (Chinnor)]]>Sun, 12 May 2024 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/st-andrews-church-of-england-primary-school-chinnorVery informative - thank you again for a great visit!
Eleanor Smith, Year 4 class teacher
st-andrews.oxon.sch.uk/
]]><![CDATA[Clanfield CE Primary School (March 2024)]]>Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/clanfield-ce-primary-school-march-2024Rabbi Zvi was extremely engaging and the children really responded to him. With the workshop including a mixture of listening and practical activities, this gave the children a more immersive experience. The children also enjoyed being able to taste the 'wine' and bread. 
www.clanfieldprimary.co.uk/
]]><![CDATA[Hatch Ride School]]>Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/hatch-ride-schoolRabbi Zvi was very engaging and a fantastic story teller. The children loved the resources that he brought in and they were fascinated with the stories that he told. We all enjoyed the afternoon and we are looking forward to his visit in the future!
hatchride.wokingham.sch.uk/
]]><![CDATA[Alderbury and West Grimstead Church of England Primary School]]>Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/alderbury-and-west-grimstead-church-of-england-primary-schoolThe children loved the food tasting - the delicious treats and the not so delicious!! 
As a teacher, what I enjoyed most was seeing how included ALL the children were and how Rabbi Zvi drew comparisons with any religions that were represented in the room. 

Thank you so much. Rabbi Zvi is so fantastic with the children. I also find him so interesting and would enjoy nothing more than to share a cuppa with him and to pepper him with questions!
​​
www.alderbury.wilts.sch.uk/

]]><![CDATA[St. Edward's Catholic Primary, Darwen (virtual visit, November 2023)]]>Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/st-edwards-catholic-primary-darwen-virtual-visit-november-2023​The visit was very well pitched to the age group (Year 2) and Rabbi Zvi covered all the learning that we requested.
He kept the children engaged with stories and by showing us items from the Jewish faith including the Shabbat table.
​The children loved the stories with the animal actions too and the dad joke!
Thank you so much.
www.stedwardsrcdarwen.co.uk/
]]><![CDATA[St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Romford (virtual visit, October 2023)]]>Wed, 18 Oct 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/st-patricks-catholic-primary-school-romford-virtual-visit-october-2023In year 3 we had a lesson on Judaism on Monday with the virtual Rabbi visit on the Friday – this really helped bring the topic alive and make it more meaningful for the children. 
The children were engaged and communicated well with the Rabbi. 
They particularly enjoyed the story telling. 
They were able to link their learning from our lesson to the teachings from the Rabbi. 
saint-patricks.org.uk/
]]><![CDATA[St Alban's Catholic Primary School (October 2023)]]>Sat, 14 Oct 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/st-albans-catholic-primary-school-october-2023Y3/4 listened to Rabbi Solomons in a workshop full of wonderful stories, the history of Judaism, the Torah and Jewish children. We all found it most informative and it really enhanced the children’s learning about the Jewish faith.
https://stalbanspelaw.bwcet.com/rabbi-zvi-solomons/​]]><![CDATA[Shipston Primary School (October 2023)]]>Mon, 02 Oct 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/shipston-primary-school-october-2023Rabbi Zvi was super with the children and was very patient with the children. The visit was very informative and has helped develop the children's understanding.
www.shipston.warwickshire.sch.uk/
]]><![CDATA[Stokenchurch Primary School (February 2022)]]>Thu, 25 Aug 2022 15:27:59 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/stokenchurch-primary-school-february-2022The children felt like they learned lots and their learning was more memorable because you bought real objects and things to eat, drink, touch and listen to.
They enjoyed hearing you 'sing the Torah.'
They were confident using new terms like 'Kippah' 'Torah' and 'Mezuzah' and had a greater appreciation for what these represent.
One pupil wrote "When we did the prayer it was like magic because the candles just lit!" - you inspired excitement and enthusiasm for their learning.
Another child wrote "I think that Judaism is a wonderful religion and you should be proud." It's lovely to hear children form genuine respect and admiration for another religion.
One child called your visit "life changing and I never knew how similar Islam and Judaism were." 
www.stokenchurchprimary.co.uk
]]><![CDATA[Salesian School (July 2022)]]>Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/salesian-school-july-2022He is great at adapting to our needs and questions, and so clear and engaging in his explanations.
salesian.surrey.sch.uk/
]]><![CDATA[St Anne's Catholic School (virtual visit, July 2022)]]>Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/st-annes-catholic-school-july-2022I just wanted to send a massive ‘THANK YOU’ to both you and Rabbi Zvi for a fantastic day on Thursday. We really enjoyed it and loved listening to Rabbi Zvi. He was great fun and interactive. Some of the girls wanted me to send you a photo of their sukkahs that they made on the day.  ​ www.st-annes.uk.com/
]]><![CDATA[The Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School (June 2022)]]>Tue, 14 Jun 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/the-cardinal-wiseman-catholic-school-june-2022Really enjoyed the religious artefacts the Rabbi brought in and loved the Q and A session at the end.
- Patrick Kelly, RE Head of KS3 www.wiseman.ealing.sch.uk
]]><![CDATA[Camelsdale Primary School (May 2022)]]>Tue, 17 May 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/camelsdale-primary-school-may-2022It was great form start to finish. Rabbi Zvi made all the children feel included, explained things beautifully and at their level.
- Lindsay Russel,  RE Subject Leader www.camelsdale.w-sussex.sch.uk
]]><![CDATA[Garston Manor School (May 2022)]]>Sun, 15 May 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/garston-manor-school-may-2022The workshop was marvellous! Rabbi Zvi made everyone feel at ease and interested in finding out about Judaism. The students particularly enjoyed trying on the kippahs and tallits. 
www.garstonmanor.herts.sch.uk/
]]><![CDATA[Hanborough Manor CofE School (May 2022)]]>Sat, 14 May 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/hanborough-manor-cofe-school-may-2022Rabbi Zvi was adaptable and was able to tailor his learning to the children's interests. He kept the children engaged and he knew a lot about all areas of Judaism. The children were able to try some of the food from a Passover meal , and where Kippahs which is memorable for them. 
www.hanboroughmanor.co.uk/
]]><![CDATA[Thorngrove Lower School (April 2022)]]>Tue, 26 Apr 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jcob.org/reviews/thorngrove-lower-school-april-2022
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