The British woman, whose son was not allowed entry into Europe’s largest Jewish school because the chief rabbi did not approve her conversion, is considering legal action against the rabbinical authority.

Helen Sagal, 41, converted to Judaism in Israel in 1990, before marrying husband Raoul. The June decision by Sir Jonathan Sacks meant that her eldest son Guy was prevented from joining the JFS school in London this coming September.

Sacks claimed that the reason Sagal’s conversion was not considered acceptable was that she was unable to provide evidence that she had kept Jewish laws during or after the conversion and that he had found “procedural irregularities” in the Israeli process.

Following the ruling Sagal said: “I am very disappointed with this decision. We have spent six months talking about and got nowhere.”

Legal Battle

Speaking on behalf of Sagal, Professor Geoffrey said the woman has taken legal advice and is deciding if she will sue the chief rabbi, and/or the London Beth Din which he heads, for defamation.

Alderman said Sacks’ public denial that Sagal is Jewish and his subsequent “alleged denial to her of her human rights” has created the opportunity for a court case to be launched.

The professor also said he has received new evidence shedding new light on the case and showing that Sacks and his team were always looking to find a reason to prevent the conversion being validated.

He said that he has recently obtained documents, including hand-written notes by various Dayanim (judges) relating to the case, which “give a unique insight into the motives that led the Beth Din to advise Sir Jonathan to reject the validity of Mrs Sagal’s conversion.”

He added: "I am sorry to say that this material confirms my original suspicion that the Beth Din was determined to find a reason for rejecting the validity of Mrs Sagal’s conversion.

Alderman claimed that the documents create a doubt that the Israeli religious courts had given Sacks the authority to “determine Mrs Sagal’s Jewish status”


Controversial Case

The case caused deep controversy in the British Jewish community. Although leading orthodox rabbis supported Sacks’ decision, the wider community were less accepting.

An editorial London’s Jewish Chronicle branded the decision a “regrettable ruling” saying the investigation into Sagal’s background should never have taken place.

The column read: “Had some common sense and compassion been applied at the beginning of this affair, the whole controversy could and should have been avoided.

“But once the London Beth Din decided to investigate the validity of Mrs Sagal’s conversion, it was clear that they would not be satisfied with what they found.”