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Lev Leviev. (Motti Kimche) Last update - 13:27 03/10/2007 Diamond magnate Leviev funds religious programs in schools By TheMarker Tags: Israel, Lev Leviev  Lev Leviev, an internationally known real estate and diamonds magnate, paid money to 60 Israeli state schools through his foundation to teach "traditional values and Jewish culture". The organization - The Leviev Foundation for Jewish Education and Identity - which he co-founded with his wife Olga, also supplies study material and books, Channel 10 television reported last night. Leviev, 51, controls the Africa Israel real estate group. He also operates privately, including in the gem industry, where the deeply religious man is famous for breaking the de Beers stranglehold over the world's raw diamond sector. Advertisement Leviev has paid for "Travel Time" (zman masa) lessons at 60 schools. His media adviser says Leviev had been horrified by the paucity of religious education at state schools, and decided to do something about it. The religious lessons are provided from grades 1 through 6, and are taught by religious female students at teacher training colleges. The teachers discuss the importance of prayer and the Halakhic view of history. The workbook which will accompany the lessons refers to the program as one that will provide "universal morals derived from our heritage and our Jewish culture." Chairman of the Pedagogical Department of the Education Ministry Professor Anat Zohar, the official in charge of approving state educational curriculum, stated that upon review, the courses offered by Leviev "are not suitable for the state schools system." A spokesman for Leviev stated that he initiated the program after he was approached by a number of secular and religious educators who told him that research had shown that secular students in Israel are glaringly deficient in knowledge of Jewish subjects. The spokesman stated that Leviev believes in pluralism and openness and that the program is not meant to preach to students or to criticize their practices in their own homes, rather to foster understanding and knowledge of Judaism. The Education Ministry has stated that after Sukkot they will carry out an assessment of the program in schools where it is currently operating. Leviev is known as one of the world's greatest supporters of Jewish causes and personally funds hundreds of synagogues, Jewish schools, orphanages, and community centers in more than 500 Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union. He is also known to be a very prominent supporter of Chabad, and recently stated that the Lubavitch Rebbe, the former Chabad spiritual leader, is his "role model and the source of his values." Leviev recently stated in an interview in the New York Times that it is his goal to be Prime Minister of Israel by the age of 60. More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   Google N for Nakba Israeli town sues Google over claim it was built on ruins of Palestinian village. A Belgian treat U.S. Jew says he was kicked out of a Bruges cafe because he was wearing a skullcap.   1.   I WILL VOTE FOR HIM 03:15  |  ALBERT 03/10/07   2.   Great!! 03:30  |  Jewish State 03/10/07   3.   Tzadik 03:55  |  Nephtaly 03/10/07   4.   misquote 04:39  |  semah 03/10/07   5.   Sounds good, he is a Bucharian and so also helps Shas 04:50  |  H Raymond 03/10/07   6.   love him 04:56  |  zody 03/10/07   7.   Polirical Corruption Of Education 06:10  |  Rowan Berkeley 03/10/07   8.   Money speaks.... 06:42  |  Esther 03/10/07   9.   Leviev 07:22  |  iletzter 03/10/07   10.   MOSHIACH BLESSED HIM WITH RICHES TO DO HIS MISSION)))) 07:26  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 03/10/07   11.   An erosion of an established moral system 07:34  |  y moore 03/10/07   12.   Interesting: if it is allowed to schools 07:50  |  Vladimir 03/10/07   13.   Mr )))) Multiple Chins is a Lubavitcher 08:38  |  Rowan Berkeley 03/10/07   14.   You Have My Respect - Kol Ha Kavod!!! 08:40  |  A Woman with Neshama 03/10/07   15.   A real tzadik. 08:43  |  Avraham 03/10/07   16.   Leviev Knows What is Means to be Jewish 09:56  |  Ira Piltz 03/10/07   17.   Great news! 10:22  |  Derek Cohen 03/10/07   18.   Lefitist rantings against any Jewishness in Israel 10:37  |  Kenny 03/10/07   19.   ruled by pirates to moral bankrupcy 10:41  |  Avi 03/10/07   20.   stupid and illogical 10:59  |  Michael 03/10/07   21.   If we wanted more religion in our schools.... 12:02  |  Dar 03/10/07   22.   Dar 16:27  |  charles 03/10/07   23.   About time someone tryed to stop training of neo- nazis 22:36  |  Another Jew 04/10/07   24.   Avi wants more hate crime? 22:42  |  Another Jew 04/10/07   25.   Michael it is you who are ignorant. 22:46  |  Jewboy and proud 04/10/07   26.   Dar - if so you ought to definitly sent your children to haredi s 22:48  |  Another Jew 04/10/07   27.   charles and phobias 22:51  |  Just A jew 04/10/07   28.   So the education ministry hates Judaism. 22:53  |  Alexa 04/10/07   29.   Leviev`s other activities 19:46  |  Abe 12/02/08

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