Orthodox vs. Secular Education in Public Schools

Although Israel is the Jewish state and a majority of Israelis are Jewish, not all Israeli Jews are religious. According to the Haaretz article on Religion Creeping Into Israeli State School Textbooks, many secular Jews and other Israelis are not happy with how religion is being forced into lessons taught to their children. All of these textbooks have approved by the Ministry of Education and many parents feel that this is a growing issue stemming from Israel's current Education Minister, Naftali Bennett.

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website describes how the Israel school system is laid out. It consists of four groups: the state schools which are secular in nature, the state religious schools which have an emphasis on Jewish tradition and education, the Arab and Druze schools which focus on Arab and Druze religions and history, and the private schools which are operated by various groups. While the state schools' goal is to be secular in its education, Jews that are more religious will likely prefer more religious education in their children's schools and Jews that are more secular, will likely prefer little to no religious education in their children's schools. This can cause issues with what is and is not approved for state school education.

Shabbat Themed Activity Found
In a Textbook

While around 75% of Jewish youth attend the secular state schools, those school are full of religious Jewish teachings and values. throughout their educational career, students are taught various religious holidays and songs, as well as learning stories in the Torah and their connection to Israel. All of this has an effect on students and many secular Jews are not happy about it. When comparing Jews all over the world, secular Jews in Israel have a much more religious education than secular Jews else ware. Though, when living in a place like Israel where there is a synagogue on every corner, it can be difficult to avoid religion. (Rosenthal, 233)

The Secular Forum, a group of secular and less religious parents, conducted a study, mentioned in the Haaretz article, on textbooks that were published in the last decade. These textbooks had all been written by private outside companies and approved by the Ministry of Education. The study found that many textbooks contain frequent references to religion and some even depict being religious as the correct and better way of life. These textbooks had been used for the secular state schools.

According to the Haaretz article, the secular Jews conducting the study feel that this is not a random coincidence but has been an ongoing issue that continues to this day. One example that the study found depicted two families. The religious depicted family was shown being respectful to each other and the secular depicted family was shown yelling and arguing with each other.

Many secular parents and even some that are religious believe that this should not be part of the curriculum in state schools and I would have to agree with them. If the school is a state funded education it should not include religious values in its teachings.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett

Education Minister Bennett, on the other hand, does not agree. Bennett has added a new course to the grade one to nine curriculum titled "Israeli Jewish Culture" and he promises that this course will not include any religious coercion. He says that the Jewish Narrative which has been passed down through generations is one that must continue. Many Israelis find it hard to believe that these courses will not coerce students since teaching them this narrative as factual will definitely affect the student's values.

This problem is further reinforced when Bennett stated that studying Judaism and following the religious practices was more important to him that studying the maths and sciences. According to the Haaretz article on this issue, Bennett has often mentioned how important religious study is to him and I believe this will definitely have an effect on Israeli schools and their curriculum.

The Education Minister should be someone that can put all their religious opinions and values aside while making decisions for the nation's school systems. By having religious influences in his decisions, Bennett is ultimately affecting what the students will take away from their schooling. In a secular home, parents may want their children to believe in certain values and practices but, when their education teaches them that Jewish values are the correct values this may cause many issues in their home.