An announcement by Education Minister Aharon Yadlin that he intended to introduce sex education in all State schools has raised a storm in religious circles here. Rabbis and yeshiva heads have organized “action committees” to “safeguard the nation’s sacred values.” They have flooded Yadlin and some prominent Knesset members with telegrams to ban sex education in order to “keep clean the soul of youth and the boys who have not sinned.”
Yadlin announced the proposed sex education courses at an international symposium on sex education attended by several hundred sexologists, educators and psychologists from 30 countries. What aroused the ire of religious elements who have denounced the plan as “impure education” is the fact that State-run schools include subsidized religious schools as well as the secular institutions. They have demanded a meeting with Yadlin and threatened to create turmoil if he refuses.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
