Reviews

Uplands Primary School and Nursery & Forest Learning Alliance (in person visit, July 2025) — 17/7/2025

Dear 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 — 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

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Banbury (in person visit, June 2025) — 8/7/2025

The 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

Chiltern Hills Academy (in person visit, June 2025) — 16/6/2025

Engaging, 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

Dr Radcliffe’s Church of England Primary School (in person visit, May 2025) — 7/5/2025

Rabbi 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

The Batt Church of England Primary School (in person visit, February 2025) — 23/2/2025

The 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.
www.thebattschool.org.uk

St. Mark’s Church of England Primary School Basingstoke (in person visit, January 2025) — 27/1/2025

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. 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

Olive Tree Primary School Bolton (virtual visit, October 2024) — 14/10/2024

The children really enjoyed the session and 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

St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School (June 2024) — 26/6/2024

Children 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

Oaklands Junior School (June 2024) — 4/6/2024

Rabbi 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

St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School (Chinnor) — 13/5/2024

Very informative — thank you again for a great visit!
— Eleanor Smith, Year 4 class teacher, st-andrews.oxon.sch.uk

Clanfield CE Primary School (March 2024) — 15/3/2024

Rabbi 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 some of the food.
www.clanfieldprimary.co.uk

Hatch Ride School — 12/12/2023

Rabbi 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

Alderbury and West Grimstead Church of England Primary School — 27/11/2023

The 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.
www.alderbury.wilts.sch.uk

St. Edward’s Catholic Primary, Darwen (virtual visit, November 2023) — 14/11/2023

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

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Romford (virtual visit, October 2023) — 19/10/2023

In 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.
saint-patricks.org.uk

St Alban’s Catholic Primary School (October 2023) — 15/10/2023

Y3/4 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.
stalbanspelaw.bwcet.com

Shipston Primary School (October 2023) — 3/10/2023

Rabbi 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

Stokenchurch Primary School (February 2022) — 25/8/2022

The children felt like they learned lots and their learning was more memorable because you
brought 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!” Another child wrote “I think that Judaism is a
wonderful religion and you should be proud.” One child called your visit “life changing and I
never knew how similar Islam and Judaism were.”
www.stokenchurchprimary.co.uk

Salesian School (July 2022) — 25/8/2022

He is great at adapting to our needs and questions, and so clear and engaging in his
explanations.
salesian.surrey.sch.uk

St Anne’s Catholic School (virtual visit, July 2022) — 25/8/2022

I 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 set-up.
www.st-annes.uk.com

The Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School (June 2022) — 15/6/2022

Really 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

Camelsdale Primary School (May 2022) — 18/5/2022

It was great from start to finish. Rabbi Zvi made all the children feel included, explained
things beautifully and at their level.
— Lindsay Russell, RE Subject Leader, www.camelsdale.w-sussex.sch.uk

Garston Manor School (May 2022) — 16/5/2022

The 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

Hanborough Manor CofE School (May 2022) — 15/5/2022

Rabbi 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.
www.hanboroughmanor.co.uk

Thorngrove Lower School (April 2022) — 27/4/2022

Thank you Rabbi Zvi for visiting us yesterday and talking to the Lower School about Passover
and some of the Jewish traditions — Thorngrove Lower Sch (@ThorngroveLower), April 27, 2022.