His model for change is Sara Schenerir founder of the Beis Yaakov movement. He adds that it is difficult for our generation to appreciate the revolutionary nature of her movement. But in point of fact, one might justifiably say that she is the person that has done more for the Jewish people than anyone in the last 100 years. These are not my words. They are not even Jonathan’s words. They are the words of the famed late Rosh HaYeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva, R’ Chatzkel Sarna, ZTL. True, she convinced many of the Gedolim of her day. But there were many that were opposed. It was a revolution.
Sometimes, it takes a revolution to save Yiddishkeit. Right now that revolution ought to be one of going in reverse… back to a time where secular studies were valued. And it ought to be taking place in Israel as well. In my view the change that needs to take place is abandon the current Charedi zeitgeist of disparaging secular studies. Although most non Chasidic Yeshiva high schools still have secular studies programs, there is definitely a strong trend away from it. Secular studies are being characterized by some who even studied it themselves as Bitul Torah!
This mentality prevents any further secular education beyond high schools (for those schools that still have it). How many Charedi professionals in America today have children that will themselves become professionals? I don’t know, but I’ll bet that the number is a lot closer to zero than it ever was (unless they have gone OTD).
Which leads to Sam Sokol. He wrote an article about this issue in the Jerusalem Post. It is about an ad taken out in a Charedi Magzaine by (YAFFED). From the article:
YAFFED (Young Advocates for Fair Education) founder Naftuli Moster is currently suing the state of New York for failing to implement the same standards in ultra-Orthodox schools as in their secular counterparts…
That magazine’s editor call’s such moves ‘reformist’. He condemns this organization and apologizes for carrying the ad saying that it was an error in the advertising sales process.
Whether YAFFED is going about it the right way is a matter of debate. Much the same as the debate about how the Israeli government is going about it. I will admit that force causes push-back. And that can backfire – making things worse. It would be much better if that change came by itself.
But what if it doesn’t? Should we just stand by and watch an entire community disintegrate? Or should we force them to take this ‘life saving medicine’ against their will? The ‘medicine’ of education that will change their lives without changing their way of life. In my view, the answer is simple. As much as I would prefer they do it themselves, if they don’t – the life of the ‘patient’ is at stake. And it must be saved.