UNCRC Article 14 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion).
During our visit to the Reform Synagogue in Newcastle, we learned more about Judaism and the importance of the synagogue as a place of worship for Jewish people. The children explored key features of the synagogue and discovered how it is used for prayer, learning, and community gatherings.
We also learned about some of the most important Jewish festivals, including how they are celebrated and why they hold special meaning within the religion. The pupils were especially interested in the various religious artefacts we were shown.
A highlight of the visit was seeing the huge Torah scroll, beautifully written by hand on parchment. Everyone was amazed to hear how long it takes to write a Torah and how carefully it must be treated.
To finish our experience, we enjoyed tasting grape juice and challah bread, foods often associated with Shabbat, giving the children a lovely, hands‑on insight into Jewish tradition.
