Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., November 05, 2009 Cheshvan 18, 5770 | | Israel Time: 02:24 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Prof. claims he was skipped over for panel head because of left-wing views
By Or Kashti

Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar will not appoint Prof. Ron Margolin to chair the committee on the "Culture and Legacy of Israel" curriculum.

Margolin, prominent in compiling the Jewish studies program for junior high schools, accuses Sa'ar of politicizing the ministry's work. Margolin says he was not chosen "because I'm identified too closely with the left and because I'm associated with the previous regime at the ministry."
Advertisement

The committee compiling the new curriculum will be chaired by Prof. Benjamin Ish-Shalom, founder of the Beit Morasha Jewish studies center in Jerusalem.

Margolin, a researcher of Hassidism who teaches modern Jewish and Zionist thought, heads the Religious Studies program at Tel Aviv University. He was deputy chair of a committee set up by former education minister Yuli Tamir to prepare a Jewish studies curriculum for junior high schools. It was pluralistic, relied on a variety of sources and has been taught in dozens of schools over the last two years.

In August, Sa'ar declared the subject will be scrapped and replaced with a new curriculum, "built around central issues, like symbols, leaders, and iconic figures of Zionism and Judaism."

New curriculum

The new curriculum is seen by Saar as part of a wider move to strengthen Jewish and Zionist values in education, along with increasing student tours of Jerusalem and actively encouraging service in the Israeli Defense Forces.

Margolin told Haaretz that the director-general of the ministry, Shimshon Shoshani, requested he meet with the various officials involved during the high holidays, as time was short. "A few days before Sukkot there was a general meeting, and it was clear to everyone in the room I was going to be chairman," said Margolin. Two weeks later, was told by a third person that Sa'ar ruled out his appointment, saying "he was too far to the left," says Margolin.

"There was no meeting or exchange of opinions, and the decision was taken without any regard for my professional skills," said Margolin, who stressed he was never active in any political party or identified with any movement.

"This incident reflects Saar's approach to Jewish education," said the academic. "It's a cynical position, influenced by political calculations.

The Education Ministry said Sa'ar "never confirmed Margolin's appointment," and that the ministry is not aware of Margolin's political views.

According to the statement, Shoshani gave the minister the names of several candidates and the minister chose Ish-Shalom.
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Preparing for war
MI chief: Hamas tries weapon that can reach Tel Aviv; public must prepare for Gaza strike.
Weapons ship seized
Israel Navy seizes Hezbollah bound ship carrying tons of weapons from Iran.
Special Offers
Advertisement
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Date Local Jewish Singles
Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
More Headlines
00:21 Israel instructs its diplomats: Use seized arms ship to direct pressure to Iran
22:39 WATCH: Video of Israel Navy commandeering arms ship
00:22 ANALYSIS / Arms ship seizure just another battle in the secret war with Iran
00:23 UN assembly set to call for probes of Gaza war
18:41 Erekat: Palestinians may have to abandon goal of independent state
22:38 Hezbollah snubs Arabic version of Anne Frank's diary
17:25 Students hurl eggs at Israeli ambassador's car in Turkey
01:23 TV ROUND-UP: Israel Navy seizes ship carrying hundreds of tons of arms from Iran to Syria
22:52 Israel's UN ambassador: Goldstone report was born of hate, executed in sin
16:04 Leftist Jews to Israel: Stop villifying Goldstone
15:44 Netanyahu: Palestinian elections complicate relaunch of peace talks
16:28 Clinton: Settlements are illegitimate, should be halted forever
14:35 WATCH: Iran police clash with thousands of anti-Ahmadinejad protesters
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved