While yeshivos are battling the Ministry of Education to back off and refrain from trying to influence the chareidi school curriculum, a group of about 50 former chareidim are filing a lawsuit against the state for failing to educate them. The action is led by Avichai Marciano, 26, for he and his friends explain they completed high school with only basic math skills and an inability to use computers, unable to compete in Israeli society.
Ynet quotes Marciano saying ‘I studied [Torah] very hard day and night, a good student, and at the end, I am left with nothing”. He and his friends explain that at the very least, they needed to learn English and Math, but they did not and their math skills are basic at best.
The lawsuit represents 53 individuals who were all educated in a chareidi network. They have R”L since become secular, abandoning a life of Torah and Mitzvos, and they find they cannot enter a university or get a good paying job without years of a ‘mechina’ preparatory program that will bring their secular studies to a level permitting them to continue in an institute of higher education. They are seeking financial compensation from the state to permit them to get an education.
Marciano has been studying for the past two years, working on his secular education, physics and math in particular while holding down a part-time job as well, saving money to finance this. He hopes to earn a college degree in computer science and communications.
The Ministry of Education is preparing its response to the lawsuit.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
A basic education is necessary for even entry level jobs. A man feels satisfaction & fulfillment when he can support a family, do not take that ability away from him!!
Education is essential & Englush/math are needed for survival no matter where u are.
They’re looking to do trouble plenty chareidim have degrees and have major businesses
Although it is sad they left a life of Torah not being educated in math and English is a major problem
Maybe they should sue their former yeshivos and rebbeim
Their parents are responsible as well for drinking the cool aid of community leaders that told them secular studies are not iimportant.
I’m not saying l can’t hear what you’re saying, but no gadol in eretz Yisroel agrees with any comments posted here
Gilda,
These are people that require several years of preparatory studies that will enable them to be accepted to a university program.
As far as businesses are concerned, successful ones today that are run by people without secular skills are far and few in between.
When I do my shopping at “osher ad” I qsee many fine young charedi men stocking the shelves. These unskilled jobs pay about minimum wage. These fellows had no secular education and most will be at enrtry level salaries for their entire working careers. I cannot imagine how they will raise a family on that salary. What is good though is that many will want to make certain their children get an education to let them have a better life.
Learning gemara (without even considering the spiritual benefits) is far superior to studying maths. I can comfortably say this from experience, finishing my maths education with distinction & with years as an accountant & financial advisor.
I think English is important but I defer to the gedolim on this one.