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| Charedim in a classroom (Jerusalem Post) |
In practical terms it really doesn’t matter much. Because the
law wasn’t being enforced anyway. But it should matter and it should be
enforced.
According to an article in the Jerusalem Post, it appears
that the current coalition government in Israel is about to repeal the law requiring reduced government funding to schools that do not provide a core secular
studies curriculum. Which they defined as teaching at least 11 hours per week
in the subjects of English, math, and science. As the Charedi poster child for
evil incarnate - Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said,
“How will the ultra-Orthodox youth support themselves without mathematics and English and without a basic toolbox for the labor market?
I have been a vocal supporter of requiring a core curriculum.
Primarily because I see the poverty that has resulted in a growing community
that refuses to get a basic education in those subjects. Their devotion to studying Torah is so strong
that it precludes them studying anything else.
What about making a living? They have claimed that if and
when the time comes for an Avreich to leave the halls of the Beis Hamedrash they
will ‘find a way’ to make a decent living without it. How often, they might for
example ask, does Euclidean Geometry come into play when earning a living? They consider it a waste of time. And
they will point to the many among them who have made a successful transition
from the Beis HaMedrash to the work place.
Granted there are a lot of Avreichim that do ‘find a way’. There are a
growing number of training programs just for that purpose. The only question is
what percentage of them are able to do it without having received the basic study
tools one gains in elementary school and high school.
I have to wonder how many Avreichim left the Beis HaMedrash and couldn’t quite ‘make the grade’. And
were then forced by that circumstance into menial low paying jobs.
In a related note, Rabbi Yitzchok
Adlerstein pointed out a fascinating statistic in a recent Cross Currents
article. It appears that the highest pass rate for those taking CPA exam for
the first time for all universities in the state of New Jersey, is for students at BMG - better
known as Lakewood Yeshiva! Rabbi Adlerstein wonders if:
...it might pay to rethink educational strategy altogether, at least for some students. If motivated people in their 20’s with practically no secular education at all can compete effectively with products of conventional educational systems, what can we learn about all the drill and reinforcement that is part of elementary education?
I am not at all surprised that there are some very bright
students in Lakewood. Nor am I surprised that very bright students that are
motivated to succeed will do what it takes to get there. Like study for a CPA
exam.
I am reminded of Frank Abagnale, the infamous fraudster who –
until he got caught - impersonated a
variety of professionals without ever having been trained in those professions.
In his guise as an attorney, he successfully passed the Louisiana Bar exam without
ever attending law school! If you are smart enough and motivated enough, I
guess you can do things like that.
But I am not sure I agree that we need to rethink our entire educational
strategy. These are the exceptions – exceptional people that do not reflect the
needs of the majority.
Which brings me back to the state of Charedi education in
Israel. That they will ‘find their own way’ without any preparation may be true
in some cases. Just as it is in Lakewood.
But even in Lakewood there is a significant difference between Avreichim there - and those in Israel. Lakewood Avreichim have in most
cases had a secular education to one degree or another through high school.
Israeli Avreichim for the most part, have not. Those that have are frowned upon
as having taken away precious time where they could have been studying Torah. They fall behind their peers that have been studying Torah full time. So it isn’t only the Charedi leadership
that opposes it. It affects their social standing among their peers. Secular studies
is therefore a ‘hard sell’ at almost every level. Which means it will never
voluntarily change from what it is now.
So I am disappointed that these core curriculum requirements
are about to be rescinded instead of being enforced. It will hurt them. And it will hurt the
Israeli economy. They will continue to be denied getting the tools they need
until – it may be too late for far too many!
What about the detractors - those who argue against
requiring a core curriculum?
I have heard arguments accusing the government of requiring
more than just the basics. And requiring a curriculum to have subjects that are
taboo. But I don’t see how 11 hours per week in basics like English Math and
science is ‘overdoing it’. As for taboo subjects like the theory of evolution –
that can be taught in ways that are compatible with Torah. But even if it is
not taught at all, that doesn’t mean that everything else should be eliminated.
The important thing here is to eventually get them into the workplace with decent
jobs.
What about the principle that no one - not even a well intentioned government - has a right to tell people how
to educate their children. I have never disputed that basic right. But only if it does not negatively impact on society as a whole. Furthermore - this has
never been about the government forcing Charedim to teach a core curriculum. It
was about not funding those that don’t. No one was forced to do anything.
Why should the Israeli taxpayer pay for a system they see
producing a growing number of people that will rely on financial aid well into
adulthood? Why shouldn’t they demand a curriculum that will help them be less
dependent? So many of them end up illiterate while they are in Kollel
indefinitely - because they can’t get decent jobs! And then demand to be
supported!
So, yes. I am with that ‘evil Rasha’, Yair Lapid on this
one. It is only right that Yeshivos get government support if they teach English,
math, and science for at least 11 hours a week. I don’t think it is asking too
much. And for those that refuse to do that? Well, God bless them. Let them
teach – or not teach – whatever they want. But the Israeli taxpayer should not have
to pay for it.
It’s too bad that the political system in Israel depends so
heavily coalition partners in order to function. I would love to see direct
elections for Prime Minister – same as we have for President of the United
States. I know it’s been tried and failed. But I’m not sure why. They should try it again. That would give their government far more stability. And they would not be
able to be blackmailed into doing things which I believe are detrimental to entire
population of religious Jews. And to the Israeli taxpayer.
