Chassidic schooling needs a rethink

In April, Quebec Education Minister Yves Bolduc vowed to end government funding for chassidic schools that do not act in accordance with provincial education laws. So-called “illegal” schools, including chassidic schools as well as private institutions affiliated with other religious communities, are accused of neglecting secular studies. 

“What is important is that the students have to have a very good education, and they must acquire the knowledge that is necessary,” the minister said. “The bottom line is that a Quebec schoolchild must receive the courses prescribed in the law.”

Bolduc’s announcement came on the heels of accusations levelled by a young married couple who grew up among Montreal’s Tash community. The couple, who parted ways with Tash four years ago, lamented the lack of secular education at chassidic schools they attended, and said they wanted their own children to receive the sort of secular schooling they were denied. “Not having a proper education is like having your hands cut off,” the wife told reporters.

Last month, the husband, Yohanan Lowen, launched a suit demanding $1.25 million in compensation from two chassidic schools he studied at, the provincial education ministry, the school board and Quebec’s director of youth protection. Lowen claims he can barely read and write in English, has no functioning knowledge of French, and lacks basic math and science skills usually taught in grade school. He says his ability to find gainful employment has been severely hampered by his education, or lack thereof. His family, including four children, gets by on welfare and sporadic employment.

“I received zero secular education,” Lowen tells reporter Janice Arnold in this week’s CJN. “Everything except Torah was forbidden” (for more on the story, please see page 23). Religious leaders said it was a sin to study any other subjects, he claims.

Lowen’s suit is the first of its kind in North America (a similar case is brewing in New York state), and could have serious ramifications. For years, Quebec governments have threatened to shut down schools that shirk provincial curriculum mandates – to many, it’s an issue that goes hand in hand with the ongoing debate over reasonable accommodation. But chassidic leaders counter that much of what is taught in secular education fundamentally goes against their religious beliefs.

Back in 2010, the government of Quebec moved to close Yeshiva Toras Moshe, an unlicensed chassidic school in Outremont, amid claims the boys-only institution employed non-accredited teachers and spent just six hours per week on secular studies. Last month, the sides came to an agreement under which the yeshiva will work with the government to offer basic math and science instruction. In addition, the local school board will help parents administer supplemental secular education at home.

The deal suggests chassidic communities and the government may be able to collaborate creatively. Perhaps Jewish community and religious leaders can also work with both sides to manage costs and logistics, and achieve a higher standard of secular education without sacrificing religious mores. Still, as the case of Yohanan Lowen illustrates, there remains a potentially fundamental problem: how can parents be entrusted to teach their children if they never received secular instruction themselves? — YONI