People sometimes tend to look for the coin under the lamp instead of looking for it in the place where it was lost. Such is the demonstration in front of the Simchat Hall in Rishon LeZion. Jewish identity was not lost there, and it is not from there that the correction will emerge.
The real protest should be held against the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem, because this is the result of education that does not prioritize the fundamental values essential to the existence of our people.
Just this week we learned of another initiative by the Minister of Education to 'combat racism.' This joins a series of initiatives and curricula dealing with the same issue.
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You'll find a lot of the words 'tolerance,' 'acceptance of the other,' 'equality,' 'democracy,' and the like, but don't worry, the intention is not to create a rapprochement with settlers, for example, or the ultra-Orthodox. Behind all the beautiful words lies a systematic trend to remove the barriers between Jews and non-Jews.
Transparent trends
These days, the Association for Civil Rights has actually submitted to the Minister of Education a document of principles for a 'comprehensive plan on education to combat racism.'.
The transparent trend appears in black and white: "The need for exposure to Arabs and Arab narratives in the education system. The need to develop education for Arab identity in Arab education." In other words, Jewish children should be exposed to 'Arabs and Arab narratives,' while Arab children should be given 'education for Arab identity.'.
This is, in fact, the nature of education in the State of Israel. Jewish identity is constantly blurred under the auspices of democracy and tolerance, while Arab education fosters Arab nationalism and the consciousness that Jews are occupiers in the Land of Israel.
All of this was done by the Ministry of Education, encouraged by elements funded by foreign money, as has long been exposed.
The young Jewish man who has gone through the Israeli education system emerges confused about his Jewish identity. He does not understand that it is the essence of his being, and that his central aspiration should be to continue Jewish continuity and establish a Jewish home.
How many times did he hear the word 'Jew' in school compared to the word 'human being'? Well, if the main thing is to be a 'human being' and if 'we are all human beings,' why not marry someone who is not Jewish?
Indeed, it is important to educate for tolerance, for cultural discourse, for respect for every person, for the rejection of hatred – but the foundation of educating Jewish children is the deepening of Jewish identity.
A young Jewish man must know and feel that his Jewish identity is the most precious thing to him. He must be proud of it and want to pass it on to his children. If this is his consciousness, it is clear that he will strive to establish a Jewish home and will not even consider tying his life together with someone who is not a Jew.
There is an answer.
I hope that some of the energy that erupted this week in protest over a specific story of assimilation will be directed toward putting pressure on the Ministry of Education to deepen Jewish education and foster Jewish identity.
Meanwhile, much can be done to impart Jewish values to children and youth outside the education system, whether in after-school enrichment activities, or through literature, music, culture, and media.
This is where the real correction needs to take place. The days of the month of Elul that are coming upon us are the appropriate time to instill in the younger generation the meaning of these days, the days of preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Jewish values and the cultivation of Jewish identity are the answer.
• The column is published in The Conversation of the Week.
