Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., April 16, 2008 Nisan 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 23:15 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 12:53 19/02/2008 Kremlin's plans for Christian curriculum in schools have Russian Jews worried By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Jews, Russia Russia's Jewish community is concerned about a possible government decision to allow the Pravoslav Orthodox Church to teach the principles of Christianity in all government schools. Now local Jewish leaders are trying to enlist Muslim community leaders in a fight against the decision. Officially, Russia maintains a separation of church and state, but under Vladimir Putin's rule, the government and church have grown closer. Nonetheless, Putin refused for a long time to make Christianity a mandatory school subject. But in recent months, there have been hints from the Russian education ministry that Putin no longer objects. The change stems apparently from the government's desire to win church support ahead of the elections. Advertisement Although a decision has not been made yet, church officials have begun to prepare textbooks should the subject be introduced into schools as soon as next year. There are 230,000 Jews living in Russia, according to official data, but the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS claims there are actually 1.2 million. Only some 11,000 children attend Jewish schools, and another 30,000 go to Sunday School programs. At a press conference with Russian media yesterday on the occasion of the federation's 10th anniversary, its chief rabbi for Russia, Berl Lazar, he lambasted the plan to introduce Christianity into government schools. "Children must not be coerced into studying a religion that contravenes their faith," he told Israeli reporters later, "and even if it won't be a compulsory subject, pressure from the other kids might offend the Jewish children greatly." Lazar said some local Jewish leaders are afraid a public campaign against the decision might ignite anti-Semitism, but "we must not keep quiet or stop working against what seems to us to be not good for the Jews here." (Anshel Pfeffer) Bookmark to del.icio.us   Never forget Peres, at Warsaw uprising memorial: Israel will avenge Holocaust through peace. Return to Haifa Provocative new play evokes sympathy for both Jews and Palestinians   1.   From A secular 18:18  |  Buzaglow 19/02/08   2.   This is good 20:30  |  Euro 19/02/08   3.   secularism is not good 20:49  |  Frank 19/02/08   4.   Frank`s on demographic collapse 23:26  |  you`re serious? 19/02/08   5.   Prince Rosh and his false antichristian church 03:42  |  Matityahu 20/02/08   6.   Religion and national balance (Estonian experience, 1700s) 09:57  |  Uri 20/02/08   7.   This is hypocrisy Part One: 15:04  |  Christian Guy 20/02/08   8.   Part two of a two part answer 15:15  |  Christian Guy 20/02/08   9.   THE russian People need religious values and traditions 23:55  |  The Russian people n 27/02/08   10.   The Russian people need their religious values and traditions 00:10  |  Jeff 28/02/08   11.   antisemitism galore on this site! 21:56  |  Maria 16/04/08   12.   Sidigin with Russia`s muslims is fine! 22:01  |  Maria 16/04/08   13.   Religion Does Not Equal Morality! 22:22  |  Maria 16/04/08   14.   "Part teo of a two part..." BAD IDEA! 22:33  |  Maria 16/04/08

Read & React UN calls for disarming of Hezbollah, Israel-Lebanon solution Responses: 123 Report: Netanyahu says 9/11 terror attacks good for Israel Responses: 185 Three IDF soldiers killed in clashes near Gaza border Responses: 148 15 Palestinians killed in IAF strikes in central Gaza Responses: 123 Arrow successfully simulates intercept of mock Shihab missile Responses: 58 More Headlines 22:09 15 Palestinians killed in IAF strikes in central Gaza 18:37 Three Israeli soldiers killed in ambush near Gaza border 21:38 Obama slams Carter for meeting Hamas, tries to reassure Jewish voters 14:37 Survey: Nasrallah is the most admired leader in the Arab world 17:34 Report: Netanyahu says 9/11 terror attacks good for Israel 15:47 EU: Israel resumes supply of fuel to Gaza power plant 19:43 Swedish court reduces Palestinian terrorist's life sentence 22:16 Court extends remand of man accused of threatening Leviev's brother 16:28 New Jewish-American lobby wants to be alternative to AIPAC 16:01 Breaking ranks with U.S. Jewish 'establishment' on the occupation 16:53 South Korean cosmetics company pulls ad campaign with Nazi references 16:56 8-year-old Yemeni girl wants to divorce her 30-year-old husband 15:59 Court to postpone trial of Jerusalem mother suspected of child abuse Previous Editions Select Day 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 11 apr 10 apr 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr

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