Haredi Educators Address Complex Jewish Identity and Relationship to Israel

Haredi educators face a challenge in teaching children about their complex relationship with the State of Israel, balancing loyalty to Torah with national identity. They emphasize the need for clarity in conveying values, explaining that while children can understand complexity, they require a clear hierarchy of principles to grasp the nuanced stance toward the state.

The article highlights that simple expressions of joy for Israel’s successes, sorrow for fallen soldiers, and integrity in public finances are straightforward and should not be complicated. The real difficulty arises around national symbols and holidays, where internal tensions surface. The educators advocate for acknowledging both love and reservations toward the state, clarifying that their primary identity is as Jews faithful to God and the covenant with the Jewish people.

This identity fosters unity with all Jews and a connection to Israel as the Jewish people’s state. However, they fundamentally oppose defining Jewish national life on secular foundations detached from Torah values. Their critique is not of specific policies but of the state's secular character, which they see as conflicting with the covenant with God.

Practically, this means embracing the state where it expresses Jewish identity and distancing from it where it reflects secular or foreign values. Children should learn that love for the state and criticism of its secular nature both stem from their Torah-based identity. The educators stress that the child’s understanding will develop more from the tone and language used at home than from explicit statements.

The article concludes that this approach allows children to see the state and its citizens as "ours" while recognizing deep disagreements with its secular foundations, framing these disputes as rooted in connection rather than alienation. The piece was published in the Achvata newsletter distributed across Israel.