What it is about
Approximately 20 ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) schools in Israel are planning to transition to the state-Haredi education system before the upcoming school year. This move comes despite opposition from certain factions within the Haredi community and political pressure from influential parties such as Shas and UTJ.
Why it matters
Transitioning to the state-Haredi system means these schools will receive state funding and adopt core secular studies alongside religious education. This marks a significant step toward integrating more comprehensive educational standards within the Haredi community and potentially broadens future opportunities for Haredi students.
The shift paves the way for broader acceptance of state-sponsored education, highlighting progressive efforts to merge religious studies with essential secular education in Israel.
Details
The schools making the switch are associated with various sects, including Belz, Sanz, and Seret-Vizhnitz Hassidim, as well as the Independent Education System and Bnei Yosef—Ma’ayan HaChinuch HaTorani network linked to Shas and UTJ.
The current Independent religious schools provide primarily religious education and consequently receive no state funding. This transition will allow the schools to receive steady funding and expert guidance from the Education Ministry.
The number of state-Haredi schools will increase to 80, constituting about 9% of the overall Haredi education system. This groundbreaking move could inspire more schools to join the state system if successful.
Background
The state-Haredi system was established in 2014 to incorporate core secular subjects into Haredi curricula and facilitate state funding for ultra-Orthodox educational institutions.
Efforts by parties and leaders within the Haredi community to influence the educational direction have encountered political roadblocks. Previous compromises, such as the “Belz Outline” negotiated in 2022, aimed to introduce a more inclusive curriculum but faced cancellation due to internal political pressures.
Key players
Chairman of the Finance Ministry Aryeh Deri of Shas and Minister Haim Biton have strongly opposed the transition efforts. Meanwhile, figures like Belzer Rebbe Yissachar Dov Rokeach and Yesh Atid MK Moshe Tur-Paz support expanded educational opportunities.
What’s next
The decision to transition is encouraged by the potential for consistent financial support and educational stability for Haredi students. The move towards state inclusion represents a balanced approach to honoring religious traditions while embracing essential modern learning.
Conclusion
The impending integration of approximately 20 private Haredi schools into the state-Haredi system symbolizes a progressive stride for Israel’s educational landscape. It harmonizes tradition with contemporary academia, aiming to enrich the educational fabric of the Haredi community.
This story was first published on jpost.com.