Year 6 pupils from St Laurence CE Junior Academy embarked on a visit to Thanet & District Reform Synagogue in Ramsgate on Wednesday (29th January).
The trip aimed to deepen their understanding of Jewish traditions and culture as part of their religious education studies.
The students set off from school promptly at 9am, eagerly anticipating their visit. On arrival, they were warmly welcomed and given a guided tour of the synagogue, where they explored the historical and religious significance of the building and its sacred artefacts.
The highlight of the visit was an insightful session with the Rabbi, who answered the children’s thoughtful questions about Jewish life in Britain today.
One of the key lessons from the trip was the importance of respecting different faiths and traditions. The children learned about the significance of various Jewish customs, including dietary laws, the Torah, and the role of community in Jewish life. They were particularly fascinated by the synagogue’s architecture and the intricate details of the sacred scrolls.
Teachers Miss Blades and Mr Bottle, who accompanied the students, praised their behaviour and curiosity. “The children asked some excellent questions and showed great respect throughout the visit. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to see what they have been learning about in class brought to life,” said Miss Blades.
I wonder if they were taught how the Jewish religion came about? For instance in a film called “Jerusalem” dated April 2016, Simon Montefiore states “40,000 Jews were exiled TO Babylon in the year 586 BC. This was after their temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The Jews were introduced to certain practices to preserve their identity this included circumsism”. I still have the video, and I may stand corrected but apart from needless male genital mutilation, the Jewish faith has over 600 religious “rules”. All religions practice certain customs, rules and practices as a means of coercion, and control, see more recently when millions of Hindus bathed in a filthy river in India. Religious superstition such as mentioned above are the cause of many wars and conflicts throughout history, and currently between Judaism, and Islam, and some 50,000 Palestinian Muslims, including about 35,000 women
children, and babies have been murdered in Gaza, and the illegally occupied West Bank of Palestine by Israel! This is in the interests of balance and proportionality.