A Defining Moment for Klal Yisroel: Stop the Schools Bill Before It’s Too Late
We are entering a pivotal and defining stage in the UK’s legislative process.
Beginning Monday, 9th June and continuing into the following week, the House of Lords will commence its final deliberations on the Schools Bill — legislation with far-reaching implications for the future of Torah chinuch, family autonomy, and religious liberty in this country.
This marks the final opportunity for peers to propose and advocate for amendments. After this stage, the fate of the Bill will likely be sealed.
Make no mistake: standing against this Bill requires real mesiras nefesh. Peers who take a principled stand do not do so for honour or political gain. On the contrary, they often face criticism, marginalisation, and ridicule. It is only when they sense strong, united and credible backing from the wider public that they are emboldened to take that courageous step.
This is where our hishtadlus becomes vital.
When our representatives see that we are not isolated voices, but a collective force — representing thousands of families, kehillos, and institutions — they gain the resolve to act.
But this kind of support does not materialise on its own. It must be built — urgently, strategically, and with professionalism.
That takes real investment. Every £10,000 enables us to reach and mobilise tens of thousands of people — growing petition numbers, raising awareness, and presenting visible resistance to the Bill.
To make a significant difference, this campaign must be scaled up. A low-budget effort may be noticed, but it will not be enough to shift the national debate.
If we are to stop this Bill — be’ezras Hashem — we must act now, while the window of opportunity is still open.
Even £2 million raised a fortnight from now may, tragically, be too late.
I share this not in the role of a fundraiser, but as someone directly engaged on the front lines, offering you the most realistic picture of what is required at this moment.
This may be our final opportunity. If we act boldly, with unity and full support, we can — with siyata dishmaya — halt this Bill. If we hesitate, the opportunity will pass, and with it, our ability to protect our future.
Let us not look back with regret.
With deep appreciation to those who have supported this effort to date, and heartfelt tefillos for continued success,
We have consulted widely with leading rabbinic authorities both in the UK and internationally. Among those who have expressed their support and approval are: the Rov of Bobov-45, Rabbi Greenfeld שליט״א; Harav Chida Weiss שליט״א; Zekan Maran Rosh HaYeshiva Harav E. Schlesinger שליט״א; Harav Dovid Kohn שליט״א; and Harav N. E. Leiser שליט״א, son of the Pshevorsker Rebbe שליט״א. Rabbi David Halpern שליט״א was happy to join the Rabbonim in endorsing the signatures that were collected.
We are actually holding at 13,500 signed declarations.
In addition, we have received encouragement from other prominent Rabbonim in Stamford Hill, Golders Green, Manchester and Gateshead and other key communities, including the esteemed Rebbe of Satmar, Harav Aharon Teitelbaum שליט״א.
We also have written letters of support which we would be happy to share upon request.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Children and Our Chinuch
We are rapidly compiling — albeit under great pressure — essential information on the proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a pending piece of legislation that threatens the heart of Torah chinuch and parental rights in the UK.
We have been working day and night to push back against successive government attempts to centralise control over how our children are raised and educated. This effort has included direct engagement with ministers, senior officials in the Department for Education, and close cooperation with Jewish and non-Jewish activists and organisations.
Until now, we have never made a public funding appeal. All legal and campaign costs have been met privately. However, we have now reached a critical crossroads.
The Labour leadership has made clear its intent to drive this Bill through at any cost.
We are now at the eleventh hour.
While the House of Lords cannot stop the Bill alone, it remains the last democratic venue where it can be seriously challenged. Encouragingly, several peers have already taken courageous stands — using our phrases and arguments.
We believe, and have been advised, that the only realistic way — al pi derech hateva — to stop this Bill is through massive public pressure.
With mainstream media broadly unsympathetic, our most powerful tool is social and digital media mobilisation.
Already, in just the last few days — with minimal paid promotion — the following websites have reached over 1.7 million views. With proper funding, that reach can grow exponentially.
Visit our websites: CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE [Not suitable for a heimishe person]. This digital outreach is professionally managed by experienced mainstream media teams, enabling our message to cross political and demographic lines.
Importantly, this social media infrastructure is being managed by experienced non-Jewish professionals and mainstream allies, enabling our message to cut across demographic and political boundaries.
A widely published article, read by MPs and policy influencers, “The Bill That Broke Itself”, attracted thousands of readers within days, and was republished on multiple major platforms. CLICK HERE [not for heimishe person] Please be aware that some images may not reflect our standards of tznius — the website is, however, aimed at a wider, non-Jewish audience.
To contribute, share, and stay involved, please:
- CLICK HERE to donate to enable us to make as great an impact as possible.
- CLICK HERE to help us spread our work over social media as much as possible.
- Contact us with ideas or to get involved by emailing [email protected], or leaving a message on 020 4525 3625.
- CLICK HERE to see some of the worst parts of the school bill
- What Must Be Done – And Now
All adults (18+) are urged to sign the declaration – CLICK HERE
Text “OK” to 07463 066 613 to sign up via SMS
Share this message with family, friends, neighbours, and community members
Encourage rabbonim and askonim to read the government documentation themselves—it is shocking, and it makes the urgency unmistakable.
Yours sincerely,
Rabbi Yisroel Gefilhaus, Rosh Kolel Tiferes Halachah and Menahel fo Gemach Refuah v’shalom.
