Israeli Government Approves National Plan to Strengthen Jewish Identity Among Youth and Students
The Israeli government approved a national plan aimed at strengthening resilience, spirit, and Jewish identity among students and young people. The initiative, led by Minister of Settlement and National Missions Orit Strook and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, seeks to expand Jewish identity education, leadership, entrepreneurship, and volunteerism on campuses and within youth communities. Initially, the program targets about 10% of all students in Israel, with plans to later include young people outside academia.
The plan includes significant expansion of study and enrichment tracks related to Jewish identity, alongside programs promoting leadership, entrepreneurship, volunteering, and social involvement. A new interministerial team will be formed to develop strategies for extending the program to additional target groups. Funding will support existing projects active on campuses and in youth communities, such as "Talmud and Action," which combines Jewish identity learning through lectures, study groups, and workshops with professional mentorship to help students develop and implement social initiatives addressing community challenges.
Officials explained that the program aims to provide young people interested in deepening their connection to Judaism with tailored, non-coercive opportunities that link study with social action. Leadership, entrepreneurship, fellowship, and volunteer programs are designed to encourage social engagement and provide a foundation of Jewish identity studies within academia.
Finance Minister Smotrich emphasized the importance of Jewish identity as the backbone of national resilience, especially in current times, stating, "I am proud to fund and lead a program that places spirit and values at the center. Investing in the identity and heritage of the younger generation is the way to ensure the triumph of the spirit of the people of Israel and is an integral part of our state responsibility." Minister Strook added, "The war on seven fronts relies on the bravery of our fighters and the tremendous spirit of the entire nation. Alongside addressing physical needs, we must develop more programs to strengthen spirit. This government decision is a step in the right direction. We will continue to strengthen the Jewish identity of the State of Israel in a way that reaches and suits all parts of the people who desire it."
