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Last update - 00:00 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   Davis Cup protest Tennis player Andy Ram: Sweden protest was first time I felt anti-Israel hate. Iranian shoe-thrower Report: Shoe hurled at Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in city of Urmia.   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   15.   Imagine 19:28  |  Tim 08/03/09

Read & React U.S. turns up heat on Israel over West Bank settlements Responses: 174 Rahat man videotapes children burning dogs alive Responses: 16 Gideon Levy: Devoid of hope or promise, Israel's leadership offer only fear Responses: 36 U.S. Army document describes Israel as 'a nuclear power' Responses: 40 More Headlines 17:30 Former President Katsav to be indicted for rape 18:25 ANALYSIS / Credibility of alleged rape victims led to indictment 19:21 MI chief: Iran has crossed 'technological threshold' in quest for nukes 19:03 Turkish FM: Turkey trying to ease U.S.-Iran tension 15:57 Pope officially announces Holy Land visit in May 15:47 Olmert to Barak: You're negating achievements of Gaza op 18:39 Danger of drought averted following heavy winter rainfall 16:24 T.A. police smash international human trafficking ring 10:48 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 14:54 Abbas says determined to form power-sharing government with Hamas 18:47 Israel and Sweden level at 2-2 in Davis Cup after Sela beats Johansson 11:29 Shalit's father: We will protest until Gilad is free 08:07 U.S. Army document describes Israel as 'a nuclear power' 16:24 Carla Bruni-Sarkozy gives boost to Hadassah AIDS fundraising 14:01 'The Color Purple' author Alice Walker to visit Gaza 13:32 Rahat man videotapes children burning dogs alive 13:36 Why do married women earn less money than married men? Previous Editions Select Day 06 mar 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 01 mar 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 23 feb 22 feb

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