Kerem Schools cam
e into existence due to the vision and tenacity of one man, Stanley Frankfurt, whose name will be forever linked with the schools. In the post-war era, he believed that Jewish education would be vital for the future and it was through his persistence and persuasion that the Hampstead Garden Suburb Jewish Kindergarten, later to become Kerem House, was founded. Not everyone in the Hampstead Garden-Suburb community agreed with him at that time, and there were many who actively opposed the idea.
On 8th May 1949 the Kindergarten was officially opened. It started with 16 children between the ages of three and five. The synagogue Rabbi, Dayan Dr Lew became the first Honorary Principal and it was his suggestion to adopt 'Kerem' (Vineyard) as the School's name.
The nursery school opened with a small number of children aged between three and five, with Mrs Miriam Bornstein as its capable and much-loved headmistress. It quickly became popular and soon had a long waiting list. It became obvious that new premises would be needed and, in 1950, these became available with the opportunity to purchase a purpose-built nursery school building in Kingsley Way.
The need for a primary school where the children could continue their Jewish and secular education soon became apparent. Due to the untiring efforts of the then lay leaders and trustees, space was made available on the synagogue premises, firstly in the Synagogue 'Hall and then in the classroom block above the newly built Hall. The top two classes of the kindergarten (whose pupils then went up to age seven) formed the nucleus of the new school, which was officially opened in January 1955.
Kerem School has since grown significantly and both its results and reputation progressed most positively Its Ofsted reports are excellent, it never having neglected its secular education even though operating within Jewish orthodox environment. Nor did it isolated itself from the wider community and was the subject of more than one visit from both civic and national dignitaries. In June 2008 it celebrated its sixtieth anniversary with hugely successful dinner addressed by the Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Now Kerem School has a complement of 200 pupils and the kindergarten, Kerem House, always bursting at the seams, has some 120 children, the maximum permitted on the premises. Both schools have always been fully subscribed.
