Perry Sugarman

Throughout my time at JFS I played saxophone and was part of the JFS Big Band. One of our signature pieces was the Pink Panther theme, which we’d performed flawlessly during a Big Band concert. But when we played the same piece at a full school assembly, it became something of an 80s JFS Legend, that people still bring up to this day. The evening performance had gone without a hitch, but in the school assembly, my sax had other ideas. It chose to squeak and squawk instead of playing the actual notes. I was mortified! Thankfully, my fellow musicians covered for me and the whole school loved it anyway.

The two most memorable teachers from my time at JFS were in the subjects I loved most: Sports and Music. Toby Jacobs, known to many as the Head of the Photography Department, was actually part of the PE team back in the early 80s, alongside Mr Willis, Mr Winkworth & Mr McKewan. I spent the most time with Mr Jacobs because he ran a gymnastics club on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mr Jacobs was there to coach us and we often found ourselves chatting about music. David Berman, Head of Music, also had a big influence on me. I spent countless hours in the music rooms, taking saxophone lessons with an outstanding teacher named Jeremy Polmear.

I grew up in Wembley, so getting to and from JFS in Camden was quite the daily trek. Our tutor group room was always a bit chaotic, full of noise and energy. I also vividly remember climbing what felt like endless stairs throughout the school day!

Although I had dreamed of a career in PE, I left school at 17 and joined the family business. After 26 years there, it was time to follow my dreams. I retrained as a Professional Sports Coach and discovered a love for leading physical challenges and expeditions. I’ve been running my adventure tour company, PJS Adventures, for over 15 years. We lead groups on mountain climbs and treks around the world. I have one of the best jobs I could ever have wished for.

My company specialises in creating unforgettable experiences for kosher and shomer shabbat travellers from around the world. During my time at school, I developed a deep love for Israel and a desire to help others achieve their goals, without compromising their Jewish values. JFS taught me that the Jewish people are beautifully diverse, encompassing a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, traditions, and levels of observance. The core mission of PJS Adventures is to offer once-in-a-lifetime journeys for Jews of all denominations, experiences that many may have previously thought were out of reach due to religious considerations.

In 2014, my wife and I made aliyah with our three children. Transitioning our North-West-London raised kids to Israeli schools was a challenge! Watching them go on to complete their military service in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, was incredibly stressful, but also one of the things I’m most proud of. I love being at home in Israel, but at the same time, my company allows me to explore the world and connect with people from all walks of life. I get to visit places most people only dream of.

Chase your dreams, not money. It often takes reaching middle age to truly understand what matters most in life. Doing work you love brings a deeper, lasting sense of fulfilment, far more than any job that simply pays the bills.

That Jews are an ethnic race first and religion second. No matter what your level of orthodoxy, we are one people and must stick together.

I’m very proud that I attended JFS. Whenever I meet a fellow Brit, I always mention I’m a JFS boy. Not many other Jewish schools have such a long and rich history, or are as well known.

Growing up in Wembley and attending Yavneh Jewish Primary School, I rarely encountered Jews who were different from me, everything changed when I went to JFS, it was there that I first realized how diverse the Jewish community is.