Schools in Givatayim and Petah Tikva have introduced a new religious studies program to "strengthen Jewish identity," although the Education Ministry deemed it unfit for state schools. The ministry intends to issue instructions to these schools to stop operating the program.

The program is financed by ultra-Orthodox tycoon Lev Leviev and taught by religious and Haredi female students. It emphasizes the importance of prayers and Jewish history from a halakhic perspective.

The program is taught in 18 schools  17 in Petah Tikva and one in Givatayim, usually in first to sixth grades for two hours a week. It is considered the flagship of the Leviev Foundation for Education and Jewish Identity, which was founded by Leviev and his wife Olga.

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The work book accompanying the program's classes says it "contributes to expanding the pupils' knowledge and provides them with universal values deriving from Jewish heritage and culture." However, Anat Zohar, the chairwoman of the Education Ministry's Pedagogic Secretariat, issued a special statement saying the program "is not at all suitable for state schools. On the one hand, it lacks a pluralistic worldview reflecting that of the pupils, most of whom come from secular homes... on the other hand, it emphasizes numerous halakhic and religious issues."

For example, the book instructs children to say morning prayers daily and wash their hands, and claims the prayer is capable of warding off evil and obtaining God's love.

"These points of view constitute preaching and could create conflicts between the worldview the child is taught at home and that of the studies in school," wrote Zohar. "In summary, my professional opinion is that the program is not suitable for teaching and learning in state schools."

The program's book for second grade teaches that it is important to love "every Jew" because "we're all one nation and God loves the fact that we're together."

The pupils are taught that the Temple Menorah "was very holy" and that "as long as the Israeli nation carried out God's will, the Menorah's western candle did not go out but continued burning in a wonderful holy light!"

Parents of pupils studying at Alon school in Givatayim are not pleased with the religious studies program.

"I sent my children to a secular school, not to a Leviev or Shas school," one mother said. "That program was introduced without our knowledge. It's proselytizing. In a state school I know more or less what they teach. If it's so important to expand Jewish studies, let them do it with an Education Ministry program, not Leviev's."

"Every time someone with money comes along [to the education system], they start teaching something he wants, at the expense of the already dwindling study hours," a father said.

He said that in the previous year the school had introduced Shari Arison's program "The essence of life," which had also not been authorized by the Education Ministry.

Education Ministry officials said only the ministry may authorize study programs and that, in any case, such programs must be taught in addition to the official studies, not at their expense.