There is a major debate in Israel today about core education.

Most people know this debate from one direction: religious communities — especially those who study Torah full time — not learning core subjects such as mathematics, English, and science.

This debate is real. It matters. And it has serious consequences for Israel’s economy, workforce, and future.

But there is another side of this conversation that is rarely discussed.

What about Judaism as a core subject for secular Israelis?

A One-Sided Conversation

In Israel, when we talk about “core studies,” we usually mean practical skills needed for modern life.

At the same time, many secular Israelis finish school with almost no meaningful exposure to Judaism — not as religion, but as culture, history, identity, and tradition.

They may graduate with strong technical skills. They may speak excellent English.

But they often lack a real connection to Jewish texts, symbols, holidays, and shared memory.

And that should concern us.

A Personal Background

I was born into a secular home.

The only time I ever went near a synagogue was on Yom Kippur. Even then, we usually didn’t go inside. We stood outside, waited for the shofar, and then went home.

Judaism was never part of my daily life.

In secular school, we studied the Bible mostly as a history book. There was no deeper engagement — no real discussion about meaning, values, or why any of this mattered.

As a result, Judaism never interested........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)