A nine justice panel of Israel’s Supreme Court convened on Tuesday, 6 Tishrei, to hear a petition brought by former minister Prof. Amnon Rubinstein and retired IDF major-general, Elazar Stern. The two are determined to have the state compel chareidi mosdos to include ‘core subjects’ in their curriculum, such as science, English and mathematics.

In actuality, the petition was filed last May, but the outcome did not satisfy the petitioners, compelling them to move ahead again and present the case before an expanded panel of justices, determined in their cause. The two feel that the special arrangement that exists in chareidi schools, which receive national government funding but are left to determine their own curriculum, is unacceptable. Stern told the media ahead of the court appearance today that the chareidim are deprived of a proper education and therefore, they don’t have a chance to enter the mainstream workplace.

Knesset legal advisor Eyal Yinon commented, stating the High Court is not the place to decide such matters, but rather they should be brought before the public. He added that his children attend state public schools, advising a measure of modesty would be in order before seeking to interfere in the chareidi system and judge the successes of the system.

Justice Asher Gronis told the attorney for Stern and Rubinstein, Ra’anan Har-Zahav, asking why the petition, questioning just who is bothered by the fact the chareidim educate their children as they wish. “Who his hurt by this” he asked.

Justice Esther Hayut added, “It is a problem that you (Attorney Har-Zahav) come from a different culture, a different place and a different community and try to tell them what is good for them and what they need.”

State attorney Dina Zilber explained that this cannot be compelled on an entire sector, and attempting to do so will not succeed.

Court President Justice Dorit Beinish stated that even if parents are permitted to educate their children as they see fit, does the state have to bear the results of this since the state does play a role in the running of the schools.

Zilber went on to praise the chareidi schools, explaining the value placed on studying and learning Torah and that for the chareidim, those who are admired at the Gedolei Yisrael as compared to those admired in the secular world.

Beinish did not appreciate the attempt to complement the chareidim, and was quick with her comeback. “To depict the current system of the chareidim as ideal is an extreme effort”.

Zilber told the court to consider a response if the world were to ban bris milah, explaining that this hearing and its intended goal is nothing less for the chareidi community. She quoted MK Moshe Gafne, who stated publically if compelled to introduce core subjects into chareidi mosdos, they will rather sit in jail.

Attorney Adi Glass, representing yeshiva directors, asked the court if the petitioners would be standing here with a petition against schools that opt to ignore the law demanding Tanach be included in core subjects.

Justice Eliezer Rivlin explained that in the United States, there is total separation of church and state and therefore, such schools do not enjoy government funding. Here however, he explained this is not the case.

The court is studying the data and a ruling is to be announced.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)