Page 22 - Issue 11

Issues Affecting the Jewish World

Hebrew School for All?
Editorial, Jewish Daily Forward
Thu. Jan 15, 2009

New York is about to witness a historic experiment in the nature of Jewish engagement in
American society: the planned opening in August 2009 of the city’s first Hebrew-themed public
school. The school, to be known as the Hebrew Language Academy, will be organized as a

charter school, publicly funded but operated by a private not-for-profit association. It must be
open to all applicants regardless of religion or background, and its curriculum is to be strictly

secular, with no preaching of religion.

At the same time, the school
will devote several hours a
day to Hebrew language
study, much like other New
York charter schools
specializing in Greek, Arabic,
French and some dozens of
other languages. Like them, it
promises to incorporate the
broader cultural context of

the language into its
curriculum. That means
integrating Jewish history
into social-studies classes
and weaving Hebrew language
and Jewish culture into art,
gym and other programs. New York State’s top education authority, the Board of Regents,
approved the school’s application for charter school status January 14.

The launch poses a dilemma for American Jews, because it pits two cardinal community
interests against each other: protecting the secular, integrated public square in which Jews
have thrived, versus ensuring the survival of a cohesive, vital Jewish community.

Public education has been a passionate cause for generations of American Jews. It’s been a
pathway for immigrants into American society and a crucible of national identity for more than
a century. Jews have benefited especially.

These days, however, leaders in every Jewish denomination worry less about Jews winning
access to American society than they do about Jews disappearing into American society.

The most popular remedy is all-day Jewish education. Day schooling gives students a knowledge
base that allows them later on to participate in Jewish life as informed adults, the same
way they will participate in American life. Hebrew proficiency opens up the treasure