An educational curriculum that teaches basic Jewish principles and values has been turned down for formal recognition by the Education Ministry. However, it will continue to be taught in 70 schools that have accepted it.
The curriculum was formulated by billionaire philanthropist Lev Leviev, with the objective of "strengthening Jewish identity among pupils" and "teaching universal values that stem from Jewish tradition." It teaches the importance of saying the "Modeh Ani" thank-you prayer every morning, loving fellow Jews, and other religious customs.
However, the Pedagogical Council of the Education Ministry, headed by Dr. Anat Zohar - Associate Professor at the School of Education in the Hebrew University - rejected the program for its being too religious and "not suitable for public elementary schools."
"Despite the fact that many of the curriculum's units clearly deal with values such as charity, truth, and honoring parents," the council states, "the Orthodox approach is blatant, dealing chiefly with principles of faith and customs, and less with values."
Seventy Schools in Four Cities
The program was approved by the educational councils of four out of the five cities to which it was presented: Beit Shemesh, Petach Tikvah, Rishon LeTzion and Netanya. The mayors of these four cities wrote a letter of protest to Education Minister Yuli Tamir, saying, "Precisely at this time, rife with clear and increasing ignorance among our youth of everything having to do with Jewish tradition - you cave in to every 'neo' and 'post', stopping this important and unique project."
The Ministry's rejection is considered to be largely a formality, and will not stop the program from being taught in the 70 schools in which it is already part of the schedule. It is taught for two hours a week to grades 1-6.
Tal Ravina, the media advisor for the Leviev Fund for Jewish Identity and Education, told Arutz-7, "The rejection is not significant, and is just an attempt by the Education Ministry to make headlines. There are some 3,000 different educational programs in Israel's schools; not all of them are officially approved." He protested the Pedagogical Council's decision to reject the curriculum "without having met with those who formulated the program."
Leviev's Work
Lev Leviev is president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS (FJC), heads the Lev L'Noar (Heart to Youth) organization, and has established a network of many Jewish schools throughout the Ukraine. He has sponsored many solidarity and day-of-fun events for Israeli children under fire, such as in northern Samaria, Gush Katif and Sderot.