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Wednesday, 26 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 6, 2024

NY To Probe 39 Brooklyn Yeshivas

39 Chassidic schools in Brooklyn are being accused of "violating state law" for not teaching students adequate English and math. Full Story

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????? 50
August 2, 2015 11:55 pm

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT???
ask ANY chareidy inisrael- there are such stories, you have no idea….

chosid
August 2, 2015 5:48 pm

we have to remember that we are chasidim & the rebbe did not want English …. vedal! i hop you all open your eyes & see who we are!!!

Wake up call
August 2, 2015 3:27 am

Let this serve as a wake up call for those parents concerned about the issues in schools today…

welfare..........
August 2, 2015 1:48 am

the reason that welfare is common in all communities is because the liberals are trying to get as many people dependent on them under the name of convincing the general community hat they care for everyone……
this brings me back to my original point that welfare is an easy solution which breeds laziness and allows people to survive flipping burgers and demotivates the people tyrying to do well and earn an honest living.

to number 11
August 2, 2015 1:44 am

i would love to see you get a job interview when your resume contains basic reading and writing skills. NEWS FLASH they will laugh at your application and move onto the next one in line.

RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE
August 2, 2015 1:35 am

wat is the big deel if no won nos how to spel corectly we wil al get the poynt acros, wile we do that they shud keep suplying peeple with goverment aid becus we didnt get a proper education. im not saying that the city should get involved but there should be a general awakening in the community that there are unfortunately financial issues in the general community and that does tend to come from a lack of education. not everyone out there has the motivation to go to college when they leave the “system” at the age of 22.… Read more »

This a Quote from the main page of their website:
August 2, 2015 12:46 am

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
– John Dewey

This tells it all…

Relax... They stand no chance
August 2, 2015 12:44 am

They do this to attract attention to their cause…
read the last part of the article:
“Yaffed plans to go to court…. However that would require parents of current students to sign on publicly as plaintiffs, a tall order in the insular charedi communities of Crown Heights, Williamsburg and Borough Park, the newspaper noted”
No chance!

Yeshiva is actually the best education even from a secular standpoint
August 1, 2015 11:33 pm

Industry and educators today all agree that the current model of education does not prepare the next generation properly to enter and contribute to the workforce. The rapidity of technological advances has made our present educational system obsolete because we teach our students facts and information not critical thinking. Facts and information is no longer necessary because of the internet but critical thinking is crucial in today’s global innovative economy and the internet and technology does not teach these skills. Critical thinking is mastered when learning gemarah so the Yeshiva system is really the best. In addition, educators today believe… Read more »

Old Problem, Old Solution.
July 31, 2015 4:03 pm

MachRivaYich Mimcha Yetze-u.

Old, old problem.

Vlalmalshinim Al Tehi Tikvah.

To 39
July 31, 2015 11:41 am

Exactly no one ever said that because they end up teaching themselves English

Personal opinion
July 31, 2015 10:22 am

My opinion is everyone should have a proper English education no matter who you are then at least your children have an opportunity to use it later if they want to go to college or get a regular job not just be a teacher and get 25 k a year just because that’s all they know how to do.

Dangerous Move
July 31, 2015 6:10 am

From the time the Yidden entered Eretz Yisroel, until this very day, each and every time Yidden went to goyim to help them with their gripe against other Yidden, the end result was disastrous for all Yidden–including those who solicited the goyim against Yidden. Hashem Yerachem.
So, I say to the “whistle-blowers” here, “You need to study some Jewish history, and be wary of what you wish for, and what you turn to goyim for.”

A Parent
July 30, 2015 11:42 pm

If our kids were getting a good Kodesh education that would be one thing. But they are not getting a good Kodesh education, and have no secular education, so you have a huge group of OUR kids that are completely lost:(
We care too much about our “bar” that we have set. Education should be focused on what is good for the kids, not what makes us feel “chassidish”.

#51
July 30, 2015 11:11 pm

If you think English is Traif, so how come you are writing in English? and I see you know how to read English, I think you should of wrote what you had to say in Hebrew

Question
July 30, 2015 8:07 pm

If, according to all (or most) opinions – english is “traif”, and all those reading this, really should not be able to – (because it would mean that they would have had to learn “English, secular studies & grammar, etc.”
then……FOR WHOM WAS THIS WEBSITE CREATED?!

There should ONLY be a hebrew site. NO ENGLISH!!!!

Ben gurion the great tomeich Torah
July 30, 2015 7:35 pm

It’s a punishment for living in hutz laaretz. In Israel the benevolent government supports all hareidi illiterates and actively subsidizes their lifestyle. End American galus now!

Khan Academy
July 30, 2015 6:05 pm

Its Free!!!!!!!!!!

Chaim G
July 30, 2015 4:45 pm

another person who has left his community on the war path.
going to the secular authorities may be mesirah in this case, a very serious crime.

Look all the Israelis all over with all the money
July 30, 2015 3:33 pm

Although they’re sometimes illiterate, barely speaking english.

1) they have help from above
2) lots of motivation (from the army or so)

A well educated yeshiva graduate has the same.

We must show a lot of motivation to succeed to our youth.

#10
July 30, 2015 12:43 pm

Milwaukee has school choice free education 🙂

TORAH EDUCATION TEACHES YOU HOW TO THINK AND LEARN
July 30, 2015 11:53 am

Several years ago I visited a public school as requirement when applying for a government grant so my child could attend a school which addressed his difficulties. The public school was immense with state-of-the-art equipment; from classroom furniture, to the latest computers, science labs etc etc etc. Upon speaking with the social worker who showed me around, I mentioned that it must be awesome and so conducive for students to learn in this sort of environment. The SW turned to me and told me that shockingly, in spite of all the opportunities, 75% of the student body would still be… Read more »

Welfare
July 30, 2015 10:49 am

For all those who are saying that our lack of education makes people go on welfare. This has nothing to do with education, but has everything to do with motivation. Benjamin Franklin who was a polymath and probably one of the most educated men that ever lived never received a formal education, however, he was motivated.

Maskilim
July 30, 2015 10:43 am

In the times of the maskilim, there were plenty of chasidim and frum yidden who sympathized with what was being done. This mainly affected their children and children’s children. All you “it’s about time” the goyim made us live UP TO STANDARDS! are like those rishayim.

Insane
July 30, 2015 10:42 am

It’s insane how Lubavitchers who have seen, acknowledged, and even bragged about the Rebbe’s foresight regarding Israel and many other matters unrelated to the Rebbe’s field totally disregard the Rebbe’s heartfelt requests regarding a purely Jewish education without secular studies.

To # 38 and 37
July 30, 2015 10:31 am

Actually it’s quite the opposite. The Rebbe asked at a farbrengen (if my memory is correct it’s simchas Torah 5714 unedited sicha) what right do parents have to steal the lives of their children on Limudei Chol? And yes the rebbe said in that same Farbrengen that learning ‘simple’ Grammar dulls the mind and heart. Go look up their Farbrengen and you will be shocked at how opposed our Rebbe was to Secular Studies.

To #30
July 30, 2015 10:20 am

‘Better off’ – since when does this necessarily mean that one made science and medicinal contributions to mankind? The truth is, if the world around us was TRULY properly education (with real education not 2+2=4 education) then Oholei Torah graduates would be recognized as some of the greatest contributors to mankind. Yes Oholei Torah graduates are way ‘better off’ than Harvard graduates because at Harvard they teach how to satisfy their ego, at Yeshiva you are taught how to satisfy your Neshama. One path leads to pain and continuous insecurity. The other leads to comfort and perpetual ever-increasing trust in… Read more »

to number 30
July 30, 2015 10:06 am

how many kids from the school on empire/NY Ave are nobel prize winners? For that matter, how many from Yeshiva of Flatbush hakodosh received a nobel prize?

As for the requirement that private school kids getting the same secular education as public school kids, why would we lower our SECULAR education to match theirs!

thank you!!! finally!!!
July 30, 2015 9:41 am

This is amazing! It’s about time! We stop stealing the education from our kids! Then they wake up wanting it when it’s too late! Thank god

knowing how to read and fill out a driver's test & manual
July 30, 2015 9:11 am

DOES NOT CONSTITUTE becoming a “maskil”!?

It means the difference between being an ignoramus and an idiot, and being a respected Yid – who can illustrate what a yid can accomplish.

Being frum & chassidish doesn’t automatically mean that you can’t know how to read and write SIMPLE ENGLISH!

Knowledge = power = respect = mentchlichkeit.

I have never met anyone who said; ….”WOW! Do you know why I was attracted to yiddishkeit? Because the shaliach can’t read or write – if his life depended on it!”

Ppl google NWO
July 30, 2015 9:02 am

First of all edcaucation should not be the governments business altogether (only in communist regimes), (us constitution), public schools were for poor people who could not afford private school, but that was a slippery slope with politician hungry for power,,

Ppl do your own research about these issues, what does liberty mean, the democrat party ideals is communism under a different name.

To #15
July 30, 2015 8:55 am

Nothing wrong you can choose for your children any school you like, likewise it’s non of your business what other choose for their children.

To 29
July 30, 2015 8:41 am

While your statements (that our people also have Masters or at least the same opportunities) may ring true for some or even many, statistically our communities are (of) the highest dependants on welfare.
Maybe that’s why Yaffed thinks it’s worth it.

Nothing new
July 30, 2015 8:04 am

This scenario is just a repeat of the life of the Tzemach Tzedek. Jew triyng to force to government to force Jews to study secular education.
I recommend reading through the Kuntrais haaskola. It’s printed in the back of Sefer Chakira of the Tzemach Tzedek. It can provide one with clearer view of the issue.

Two points:
July 30, 2015 6:52 am

One is Ideological and the second is Legal. First Ideological : We are destined to give our children the education OUR RABBIS deem is most appropriate to fulfill G-d’s Will. Being the pioneers of civilization is it ironic that people and cultures that we brought from savagery to relative civility think they will tell us that something is wrong with how we educate ours. And Legally : There is no way Yeshivos are guilty of such a law. “New York State Education Department guidelines requiring .. an education “substantially equivalent” to that of public schools.” The barometer the Yeshivos will… Read more »

To 17 and 24
July 30, 2015 3:20 am

Couldn’t agree with you more
Where is the mesiras nefesh of the chassidim??
It’s a americanisher hanohga!! We have to fight it

To all those against this
July 30, 2015 2:15 am

-How many Oholei Torah boys have received a Nobel prize?

How many OT boys have contributed to medicine? How many to science? How many to physics? How many to biology? How many have contributed to land, sea and air vehicle technology?

How many OT boys have advanced cancer research?

The Rebbe said it should be Al Taharas HaKodesh, and I accept that. But please don’t Drei A Kop about how OT boys are “better off”.

Foolishness
July 30, 2015 12:52 am

Do the fools at Yaffed realize that there are thousands of people which have Master’s degrees which are having a much harder time finding jobs than the people in our community? Furthermore, do they realize that those who graduate from Oholei Torah have the exact same opportunities (if you want to call university an opportunity) as any other American? The only difference may be that it will take one year maximum to catch up on what he missed and get a GED ( and yes even if one never learned a word of secular studies it will only take 3-12… Read more »

Education????
July 30, 2015 12:37 am

People, do you realize that our forefathers in Russia went on real Messirus Nefesh to be spared from a few hours of secular education? The Public Education Sytstem needs to be examined for producing a generation of savages who have no respect for human life. I can’t believe people are falling for this Yevsektzia Yaffed!!

interesting
July 30, 2015 12:20 am

Some excellent points on all sides in these posts, both for and against. And also some very ignorant-sounding overly zealous iberchochoms, who are essentially so similar to the Yaffed group they find so revolting (the reason for the picture is because it’s referenced in the article, number 16. This kind of reading comprehension is part of what is taught in school and why you can’t be expected to learn “chemistry from kashrus”)

enlightenment
July 30, 2015 12:17 am

That’s what it is

GED
July 30, 2015 12:12 am

My son is an olay toranik and got his GED after school, smicha, online college and going to law school like many of his friends. He didn’t have to waste 12 years learning English, but managed very well learning all English studies in one year. Our boys are very smart and will take them 1-2 years to catch up and learn what others do in 12 years.

Time to Clear Things Up
July 29, 2015 11:49 pm

Based on the comments, seem’s like there’s a bit of confusion with regard to Chabad’s stance on these issues… I am writing as a Tomim, who is currently going through the system and feel that comments such as “there is no excuse for the wide spread ignorance and lack of education in our communities”, are downright insulting and completely wrong. The Rebbe’s stance on these issues is well known from countless sichos and letters, that there is no need and moreover, it is highly damaging for secular studies to be taught to pure jewish children. With regard to the various… Read more »

Chinuch al taharas Hakodesh
July 29, 2015 11:17 pm

Oholei torah has been fighting all year for this mission…they cant give up now.

Public school vs yeshiva
July 29, 2015 10:56 pm

A few people my husband (who went to a mainstream yeshiva not teaching secular studies) went to school with own Fortune 500 companies. A few people I was in honors class with in public high school (and earned their graduate degrees) are flipping burgers Look at our Shluchim- they use their yeshiva education to create massive organization that get international approval If people don’t like our schools they shouldn’t send their kids to them – maybe the govt would like to pay for us to have optional after school secular studies on top of our excellent education. But do not… Read more »

Hashgacha Protis
July 29, 2015 10:38 pm

See the video Jem sent out today on their whatsapp broadcast

Im in olay toranik!
July 29, 2015 10:00 pm

I’m a student who studied at one such Yeshivah.
I was trying to write the subject of this post with spelling mistakes, but it took me four tries to do it with the spelling that I wanted to do on my smartphone, because my phone wouldn’t allow me to make a spelling mistake 🙂

Live and let live
July 29, 2015 9:50 pm

There are plenty of Jewish schools offering high level – quality – secular education.
Is a family chooses it for their children – it’s their choice.
Why this need to FORECE EVERYONE to accept your opinion of what the right thing is?
It’s disgusting. It comes from some need for revenge against someone.
Live and let live

39 schools
July 29, 2015 9:47 pm

he should call his project the 39 melochos.

History repeating itself
July 29, 2015 9:46 pm

Nothing new.

The enlightenment (maskilim) tried very hard to do this in the times of the Tzemach Tzedek. They Rebbe was moiser nefesh – literally– to opposed it – at all cost

History repeating itself

The same thing happed in the times of the Rebbe Rashab.
Then the Yevesektzia…

picture
July 29, 2015 9:42 pm

Why is COLLIVE advertising the street banner in the above picture? It’s against everything Lubavitch stands for!

This may be good
July 29, 2015 9:29 pm

What’s wrong with kids learning English half day?!? Maybe then the boys will have jobs when they get married and the women can stay home with babies

about time
July 29, 2015 8:58 pm

there is no excuse for the wide spread ignorance and lack of education in our communities

Big case .....does it mean good for kids ?
July 29, 2015 8:52 pm

If yeshiva is sponsored by the city for her secular education it must be under city control , but poor education can be found in any public school of the poor district /zip code , many public schools have F ( fail ) grade in all education levels after department of education inspection , literally means that kids didn’t pass any state exam of their age level in subjects like English and Math ….. Stop fooling yourself all rich zip codes only have the best schools and majority of students have private tutors to keep their level of education on… Read more »

Not illegal at all
July 29, 2015 8:51 pm

The city and state refuses to give vouchers for private schools claiming that it would infringe on the separation on religion and stat they cannot come and supervise what we teach. If they are crossing the separation of religion and state, then why can’t we get funding? If I’m not mistaken, that’s why they haven’t mixed in until now. If they do, they will have a lot of explaining to do. In addition, many students from these schools go on to get college degrees and many public school students do not. Going through the yeshiva system successfully makes someone just… Read more »

secular subjects
July 29, 2015 8:45 pm

English-all students need is basic reading and writing. Spell check can be done by computer and English literature is shtus. Math-maybe measuring things, everything else can be done by calculator. Science-some courses teach things like evolution. These courses can be taught in Torah classes,like Torah measurements compared to modern. Biology through various dinim, such as taharas hamishpocha or kashrus, chemistry through kashrus, etc The problem is that people think the purpose of an education is to get a career- not to learn how to be a decent, G-d fearing citizen.

NKVD still exists.
July 29, 2015 8:40 pm

Yaffed is obviously moisrim & redofim.

If the gov’t can control curriculum, let them pay our tuition.

to number 7
July 29, 2015 8:32 pm

Nothing flawed with my thinking. The African Americans and Whites you speak of generally do not graduate from school, only bolstering my argument. Interesting to see that you resort to comparing yourself to African Americans only when it suits you. A more apt comparison would be to educated Jews. Seeing as you share the same DNA, history, and culture, tell me oh wise one: how many educated Reform Jews are on Food Stamps?

Right; that’s what I thought.

Education matters.

Sign of the Times
July 29, 2015 8:10 pm

I see comments strongly agreeing with this latest decree – and I can’t argue with it – after all they’re concerned with children’s education. They also say they’re concerned about babies and tried to ban the bris. They say that someone did a crime so should spend a longer term in prison than anyone in the history of the US for the same crime. Can’t argue with any of it. It’s all legal. Thing is, it’s beginning to smell a little off. The pressure is closing in people. You may not need to move to Israel yet but be aware.

To #4
July 29, 2015 7:54 pm

Sorry, your thinking is flawed. How come there are so many African American and white skinned non-jews on welfare etc? They were supposed to be immune to needing state funded medical and food assistance since they attended public school. And how come many more of them than us commit crimes and/ or end up in jail, a definite cost liability for the state? Is that because of the superior education in public schools?

To #4
July 29, 2015 7:52 pm

Are you a even a lawyer? Do you Specialize in “State Law for Schools”?

Masira
July 29, 2015 7:48 pm

Putting emotions and opinions aside…Why is this not Masira?

Why the Quotes?
July 29, 2015 7:45 pm

Why is “violating state law” in quotes? The fact is, that these Yeshivas are violating state law. And they are not providing a “subpar” education; they are providing none at all, ultimately leading to the next generation of uneducated citizens that the state will have to subsidized with welfare costing taxpayer millions of dollars. What a shame.

SAD
July 29, 2015 7:44 pm

Younger kids should have some English studies.
But yeshiva students should Not.
I AM NOT SAYING WE have to LEARN IT
BUT WE SHOULD LEARN A little
Not A TON
WE have to keep out of trouble
WE HAVE TO BE A JEW
DON’T THEY KNOW THAT

The question is....
July 29, 2015 7:42 pm

Are the schools being upfront about their policies? Are they claiming to teach secular studies and receive the benefits thereof, but in reality are not? That could present a problem…

Ch resident
July 29, 2015 7:34 pm

If the government wants to control what private schools do and teach … Then i strongly feel we should get some kind of relief since our real estate taxes are used for public education … I have no doubt the private schools get monies and help from the government though not as much as they should … Imagine all jewish schools decide after the summer to knock of the D.O.E. To register our children ?? … Number 1 they would not have the space for the jewish children and the non jewish private schools that may join and participate with… Read more »

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