In November the Religious Enquiry department took a group of 34 year 8 pupils to Bournemouth to visit two Jewish Synagogues and to eat at a Jewish restaurant. The fieldtrip ran to support their learning on the Judaism topic they had been studying at school.

The pupils first experienced the Orthodox Synagogue which practises the most traditional form of Judaism. Here the Rabbi discussed with pupils what the synagogue meant to the Jewish community. They were then allowed to look around the synagogue and experience key features such as the Ark where the Ten Commandments and Torah scrolls were kept and the ner tamid, the ‘continual light’ that is never put out.

Following this, pupils went to the Jewish kosher restaurant where they experienced the taste of vegetarian falafel – a traditional Middle Eastern dish. This was a new taste sensation for many pupils who would not usually opt for such a dish given the choice. The chips that came with the falafel were another bonus.

The last site was a Jewish Reform Synagogue whose followers practise a form of Judaism that has adapted to the modern world and the culture of western civilisation. Here the pupils were able to compare and contrast the differences of the building and worship to the Orthodox synagogue. Our speaker was very charismatic and allowed pupils to carry and examine the Torah scrolls. Pupils were also given the opportunity to blow the ‘shofur’ – a ram’s horn and one of the oldest musical instruments known, used to herald the start of Rosh Hashanah (New Year).

All pupils came home from the trip feeling as if they had learnt a great deal about the Jewish religion. Some commented: ‘Is it over already?’

The RE department runs this trip annually for year 8 pupils.