ShalomNewYork.com

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”.

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. haaretz.com