Welcome to the Jewish Deaf History website.  Ex pupils of RSJDC – Residential School for Jewish Deaf Children – 100 years. Why was the school set up? There was no education for Jewish Deaf children in the 1860s.

The first school was opened in 1860 in Euston Road, London – it was called Jewish Deaf and Dumb Home, with only 3 pupils.

In 1865 they moved to Whitechapel, London, and was known as ‘Home for the Deaf and Dumb Children of the Jewish Religion.

One year later, 30th September 1866 they moved to Old Kent Road, London.  The school was called ‘Jewish Deaf and Dumb Home’. The class sizes increased.  So this is why they moved to various places in London to accommodate the growing number of pupils.

In 1899 they moved to a house, 61 Nightingale Lane, Wandsworth Common, London.

In 1905 Number 61 became number 101 Nightingale Lane, Wandsworth Common, London

In May 1934 the school changed its name to RSJDC – Residential School for the Jewish Deaf.

In March 1939 the home office gave the school permission to bring 10 children under the age of 10 from the Israelite School for the Deaf in Berlin.

19th July 1939 Doctor Felix Reich, headmaster of Israelite School for the Deaf, brought the 10 children to England, to the RSJDC

On 1st September 1939, World War 2 broke out!

February 1940 the children of the school evacuated to Brighton.  There were already other children there, so due to overcrowding in September 1940 the pupils were transferred to Havering House, Pewsy, Wiltshire.

8th May 1945 World War 2 ended.

13th May 1946 the pupils returned to 101 Nightingale Lane, London

In July 1965 RSJDC closed due to lack of pupils.

In September 1965 to 1977 pupils moved to a Hostel for Jewish Deaf Children, 8 Talbot Road, Tottenham.

For more information please browse our website. I hope you enjoy looking at our old photos videos of the history of our school.