The country's top Jewish state school was accused of racial discrimination yesterday for rejecting the application of a boy because he was not an "approved" Jew.
The high court heard how the Jewish Free School (JFS) in north London refused to grant a place to 11-year-old "M" because its religious authority ruled the boy's mother was not born Jewish and had not converted to a branch of Judaism recognised by the Office of the Chief Rabbi, the body that offers guidance to the school on a pupil or parent's Jewish status.
The Orthodox movement insists the faith be passed through matrilineal descent. In the case of M, who cannot be named for legal reasons, his father was considered Jewish but his mother, born a Roman Catholic, was not.
He also warned against interference from secular courts in matters of doctrine and theology.
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2262189,00.html