When Ignorance Is Haredi And Paid For By The Government

"As it turns out, the ministry's program for the ultra-Othodox is a sham, and it undermines the basic rationale of having a mandatory core curriculum. Core curriculum studies in ultra-Orthodox schools do not include English or science, and it is only compulsory to study math at elementary level. Instead, the ministry's program features subjects studied in any Orthodox institution: the sacred texts and Hebrew. So it turns out that this is not a core curriculum in any educational sense; rather, its purpose is to hold together the core of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition."

Originally published 8-25-2012 at 10:22 pm CDT

25% of all first grade students in Israel this year will be from haredi families. Yet almost all haredi schools do not teach the country's core curriculum, and haredi students – especially boys – normally get no real secular education.

But Israel's right wing government, which needs haredi political support, certifies almost all of these deficient haredi schools as compliant. Why?

Shahar ilan, the deputy director of Hiddush (and a former Ha'aretz reporter), answers that question and fleshes out those deficiencies in Ha'aretz:

…The facts underlying this riddle appear in a report titled "Core curriculum studies in the ultra-Orthodox education system" released by the Knesset Research and Information Center. As it turns out, the ministry's program for the ultra-Othodox is a sham, and it undermines the basic rationale of having a mandatory core curriculum. Core curriculum studies in ultra-Orthodox schools do not include English or science, and it is only compulsory to study math at elementary level. Instead, the ministry's program features subjects studied in any Orthodox institution: the sacred texts and Hebrew. So it turns out that this is not a core curriculum in any educational sense; rather, its purpose is to hold together the core of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition.…

The vast majority of ultra-Orthodox boys are enrolled in educational institutions defined either as "recognized but not official," or as exempted (meaning that the level of monitoring of their programs is very low ).

…These are institutions that receive state funds. Exempted institutions receive 55 percent of what state schools are given, while recognized but unofficial institutions get 75 percent. So what sort of education is the state funding in these institutions? With respect to the core curriculum in exempted institutions (grades four to six ), the ministry gives permission for no English to be taught at all. In the second category of nonofficial schools, English studies are negligible: two hours a week.…

The total number of hours devoted to subjects other than Hebrew and religious instruction in exempted schools, in grades four to six, is about six, and this figure includes an hour for sports or arts and an hour for so-called civic studies (which can be devoted to religious subjects ). In recognized but unofficial schools, the total number of general studies hours is eight, including sports and civic studies.…

Besides the negative implications for the country as a whole, this lack of science education severely impacts haredim, who grow up lacking the tools to understand the implications of basic public health and medical science issues – like germ transmission, for example.

Comments

[TheRealJoe]

Education is only 1 part of a child's upbringing. Now I am not negating the fact that Israeli life seems way to reliant on political deals. However Haaretz is 100% involved in the dirty politics so its funny for them to complain.

[Garnel Ironheart]

Yes, the Chareidi education system is dysfunctional and leads to a life of ignorance. But the secular system is hardly better, with its high levels of violence and teacher intimidation and poor educational results is not much of an example that anybody would want to latch on to.

[dh]

Wow, two posts in a row about germs. Is this my lucky night or what!

But like you said in that splendid NY1 interview, now truth is accessible. We're not talking about discovering bacteria here. We're talking about point and click. How long will it take?

[Jeff]

25% of all first grade students in Israel this year will be from haredi families.

How wonderful! Kein yirbu!

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen - the furtherance and perpetuation of a lifestyle steeped in ignorance is seen as a cause for celebration.

This is how completely out of touch with consensual reality they are. This is the tragedy of Orthodoxy.

[Shmarya]

Posted by: Jeff | August 26, 2012 at 07:34 AM

No, it's just a haredi troll who isn't interested in discussing the issues.

The truth is that this particular troll appears to lack the ability to have a discussion about these issues if even he wanted to have one – which he clearly doesn't.

At any rate, if I catch you trolling, people, I'll delete your comments.

Disagree with me or with anyone else you want, but do it honestly.

[Dave]

Leaving aside the teaching of evolution, literature, history and politics, which I admit the Haredim will never do...Can someone please explain to me why they will not agree that their schools teach such things as biology, basic accounting, computer science, math, physics, chemistry and gym (fully clothed, of course). What possible ideological content do these courses have? Could anyone explain to me? Garnel? Shmarya?

[Jeff]

Posted by: Dave | August 26, 2012 at 08:22 AM

My nephew tells me one can pick those things up later on, if one needs to (chos v'sholem!) for purposes of parnassa.

Of course, he's also told me the kids coming out of the Chabad system are better educated than those coming out of the public high school in the affluent suburb in which he grew up.

[Jeff]

I'll add that the MO rabbi with whom I used to be friendly was allowed to major in math while going to college by night and yeshiva by day. They thought it was value-neutral. He "freied out" anyway (although he later returned to MO).

So it appears that nothing is safe. Guard your kinder, ehrliche yidden!

[Reb Chaim]

Here are two sample questions designed to show the depth of knowledge of haredi students in secular subjects.

1. What did you learn in math today Shmuli?

Echad mi yadeah.

2. Name a country that borders on Eretz Yisrael.

Chutz la'aretz.

Funny, but sadly an accurate picture.

[A. Nuran]

Dave, it's impossible to teach biology in any meaningful way without involving evolution. It's impossible to teach physics and chemistry without running up against things the haredim will violently disagree with.

[Liran]

25% of all first grade students in Israel this year will be from haredi families.

How wonderful! Kein yirbu!

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen - the furtherance and perpetuation of a lifestyle steeped in ignorance is seen as a cause for celebration.

This is how completely out of touch with consensual reality they are. This is the tragedy of Orthodoxy.

Posted by: Jeff | August 26, 2012 at 07:34 AM

This doesn't change the fact that they will in a short period of time take over the country. 25% is not an insignificant percentage and I am sure that the number will increase in time. Unless the haredim have less children or the seculars have more the writing is on the wall.

[Jeff]

Unless the haredim have less children or the seculars have more the writing is on the wall.

Posted by: Liran | August 26, 2012 at 10:01 AM

Agreed - although I don't think humanity in general has that much time left.

Israel deserves everything that is happening to it and will happen to it (if humanity lasts beyond the next several years). It has betrayed the ideals of its founders.

[Shmarya]

Posted by: Liran | August 26, 2012 at 10:01 AM

Secular and Zionist Orthodox Israelis are PAYING for those haredi kids – for their food, for part of their housing costs and for most of their educational costs.

That's the only reason haredim can have so many children.

Without the financial support of non-haredim, these kids would starve to death.

And that's what will happen if haredim ever take over Israel.

[Reb Chaim]

Hey fellas and gals, the situation is not as bleak as you may believe. All that we need to redress it is a political leader (not Bibi of course) who has the cojones to stop funding those haredi yeshivot that do not teach the secular ciriculum. Of course, he (or she) will have to be the head of a government that does not rely upon the support of Shas, UTJ or any other of the religious parties. Sooner or later though, it's going to happen or Israel will evolve into a Jewish version of Iran and nobody who's not haredi wants that.

[Sarek]

How can a country that prides itself on technical & scientific advancement continue down that path if their math education ends at 2+2? How can a country that prides itself on medical improvements continue when their children are taught that the human body and any associated illnesses derive solely from Hashem?

The answer is that this nation will devolve into a 3rd world country.

This applies to both Israel and the U.S.

[AztecQueen2000]

Has anyone who complains about secular education ever BEEN to a public school?
I've been to six, in three states. Contrary to popular belief, they are not dens of violence, nor are they ongoing, drug-filled Bacchinalias. Most grade schools have dress codes and even uniform policies. Many of them, particularly those in the suburbs, encourage kids to get high test scores.
Those of you who extrapolate the worst examples to mean ALL public schools--don't be surprised if I do the same to your yeshivas.

[God is not amused]

These people are despised by the locals.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-n-myers/kiryas-yoel-theocracy-in-america_b_1124505.html

Gee, I wonder why. 70% in KJ on welfare in a Christian nation whom many look at them and sthink, "You bastards killed my Rabbi and now you are living off of me, then you got the nerve to put up signs on public streets I pay for telling me if I want to go through I have to dress this way and that way. The complainst about KJ Satmars can fill a library. Tietlebaum not only cursed the area by founding KJ, but the these people self-actualize the "stereotyping" long assigned to "Jews." Everyboyd suffers a broad brush because of these varmins. Sane jews need to reign these people in, by defunding their insane "culture" and making them assimilate into society by working instead of learning a lot of arcane/archaic rubbish that makes them meshugana. The stuff you hear come out of KJ leads you to belive these people are not playing with a full deck.

[Reb Chaim]

The situation in the United States is fundamentally different than that which applies in Israel. Here, we are a large country with a population exceeding 300 million. We can absorb the costs and societal burden placed on us by the relatively small group of haredi parasites who take advantage of our social welfare system while contributing little or nothing to the overall economy. However, in Israel they constitute over 10% of the population and are growing at an astounding rate. That is why the Israeli government must confront the threat they represent sooner rather than later. We Americans can tolerate their kooky life style as we do do with the Amish snd other far-out minorities. But in Israel, the situation has to fundamentally change, otherwise a diaster looms for the future.

[God is not amused]

Since the productive workers are not producing children because they are responsible adults and don't want to make children they cannot feed, I wonder what the plan of the ultra-orthodox Rabbis have when the parasites have out bred the producers and there will be no producers to live off of.
Knowing human nature: They will turn on each other stealing and robbing each other blind. Oh, wait that is in effect already. Ok, so they will ramp it up and become like caged animals in a pen.
The sane world HAS to socially engineer these people for their own good. First step. Kick them off of welfare. NO sane country in their right mind should give money for people to live on WHO PLAN to live off of other people. Politicians who allow this should be kicked out of office for BAD SOCIAL MANAGEMENT.
NYS is being bled dry by the Haredi. Many have fled KJ area just so they don't have to support the infestation that KJ Satmars has become. Israel being infested, don't sound too good to me anymore either.

[Jeff]

Since the productive workers are not producing children because they are responsible adults and don't want to make children they cannot feed, I wonder what the plan of the ultra-orthodox Rabbis have when the parasites have out bred the producers and there will be no producers to live off of.

I'm sure they think Moshiach will be here by then, and if he isn't - Hashem will provide.

[God is not amused]

Jeff/LOL ...I thought exactly the same they are probably thinking "Moshiach" will work it out when the cow dries up.
Hashem will provide: "By the sweat of your brow." say HE.

Red Chaim/I Don't want to absorb!!! baaawaaaaaaaa.
and I hate the way they make me think about them.

My Idol stated: We can forgive you for killing our sons. But we will never forgive you for making us kill yours.
Golda Meir, to Anwar Saddat just before the peace talks.

same concept.

RIP Golda. You were the best of the best.

[Korbendallas72]

The Haredim constitute a greater threat to the Jewish people than any Muslim terrorist. The goal right now should be to spread expressions of disaffiliation with Haredim. Stop making excused for them in mixed company, do not hesitate to publicly condemn their extremist ways in mixed company. Explain to your friends that they have crossed a line, become a cult, and have created a huge problem for the Jewish people.

The Haredim are INVADERS. They are unwitting enemy agents, everything they say and do is helping the enemy. Their unbridled arrogance will be their undoing, watch.