Rabbi drops in to Catholic school (From Swindon Advertiser)

Rabbi drops in to Catholic school

2:30pm Friday 20th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(6)

A rabbi gave children another perspective on religion at a Catholic school.

Rabbi Douglas Charing talked to pupils at Holy Rood Catholic Junior School about Jewish celebrations, including Passover and Hanukkah.

The school has dedicated this week to learning about Judaism and also had a visit from Martin Vandervelde, the president of the Swindon Jewish Community.

Tony McAteer, the school’s new headteacher, said: “Essentially we follow a religious education programme, which is primarily Christian.

“But twice a year we do a study on a major world faith. This week we are looking at Judaism – later on we will look at Islam.

“I think the visit fits in very well with the school’s community cohesion programme – it heightens children’s awareness of different cultures and faiths.”

Ten-year-olds Ruth Holliday and Dominic Finnell heard the Rabbi explain the layout of a synagogue.

She said: “It was very interesting hearing it all from his point of view. I learned new stuff, which I had never considered before.”

Dominic added: “It was quite exciting. He taught me a lot of stuff I didn’t know. I was fascinated to learn about differing cultures and was really impressed.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(6)