In almost every conversation with parents, you hear longing for the education of the past. For respect for parents and teachers, for education in values, knowledge of the Bible, love for the people and the land. Today, there is general disappointment with the state of education. Parents feel desperate.
It seems to them that this is a decree of fate that there is nothing they can do about.
But this is not really a matter of fate, but rather something that is in the hands of the parents. The 'education of yesteryear' still exists today. Hundreds of such schools operate throughout the country, providing children with an education that fills parents with pride and happiness.
These are the schools that did not succumb to passing winds, but remained faithful to the heritage and values by which the Jewish people lived for thousands of years.
Extremist agendas
Almost without us noticing, the education system in Israel has undergone a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree transformation. In the past, when it became clear that it was failing to instill values in its students, an attitude developed that the system did not need to deal with values at all. The children would receive the values at home. At school, they would acquire education and learning tools.
There were even those called 'philosophers of education' who turned failure into an ideal. What right do we even have to educate children? They argued. Who determines that the values we advocate are the right ones for the students? We give them tools, and they will choose their own path and values.
And so the 'education system' changed its name to the 'teaching system.' It makes no pretense at all about instilling values, and in any case it cannot be attributed a failure in this area. It strives to be measured solely by academic achievements. If there is a problem with values, it is a problem of the home and the parents.
But in recent years the trend has reversed. The system certainly claims to be concerned with values – but what values? The 'values' of the liberal ideological terror that washes over us from all sides. The agendas of extremist elements, some of them foreign-funded, have become the compass of values for schools in Israel. Judaism? God forbid! After all, that's 'religion.'.
From time to time, we see protests from parents in light of the drifting in these directions in public schools, from distributing the book of Genesis with blank pages to second-grade students, to gender brainwashing of children as young as kindergarten age.
But these protests have no power to stop the cart from galloping towards the abyss.
'Tolerable' price'
This is the moment when caring parents need to draw conclusions. Even if they are not observant in their lifestyle, they should consider providing their children with a religious education. Tens of thousands of parents across the country have already made this decision, and they are overjoyed.
True, there is a certain price to this. The boy or girl can ask the mother to light Shabbat candles and for the father to perform Kiddush. They may also say a blessing and thank the Creator before and after the meal. This is a certainly "tolerable" price in exchange for the values they will receive in school, the knowledge they will acquire in the heritage of Israel, the respect they will give to their parents, and the ills they will be spared.
Parents, don't give up. You can choose and give your children an education you will be proud of. Make a courageous decision and you will earn happiness for generations to come.
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