Private Foundations Influence Jewish Identity Shift in Religious Zionist Education
A recent investigation by Channel 14 reveals a significant, covert shift in the Jewish identity within Israel's Religious Zionist state-religious education system (Chinuch HaMamlachti Dati, or Cham"d). While parents in the sector believe the education system operates normally, private foundations and organizations have been influencing school principals, supervisors, and counselors through advanced training programs. The central organization spearheading this effort is Yesodot, which works in full partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Cham"d network.
Although Yesodot officially aims to connect Torah values with democracy, the investigation uncovers a hidden agenda to reshape the worldview of Religious Zionist streams. This includes promoting liberal-democratic thinking and altering approaches to identity, gender, and values. Funding for Yesodot comes primarily from the American Yorno Family Foundation, which supports gender, democracy, and liberalism initiatives. This foundation operates under the umbrella of the New Israel Fund, an organization previously criticized for calls to boycott and sanction Israel and the IDF.
The probe also highlights the appointment of Professor Avishalom Westreich as head of Yesodot's board. Westreich, a scholar of Jewish law with a distinctly liberal ideological stance, advocates for a religious revolution in marriage and divorce laws, including dismantling rabbinical courts and establishing a civil system. Critics argue that the content shaping Jewish identity in Cham"d institutions is effectively guided by someone who supports dismantling the rabbinical establishment.
Under the guise of civic discourse and with official Ministry of Education approval, school leaders and counselors are exposed to what the investigation terms "consciousness engineering," aiming to erase traditional Jewish identity and conservative values. This development raises serious questions about transparency and the influence of foreign-funded liberal agendas within Israel's religious education framework.
