Education Ministry instructs schools to discuss violent demonstrations

The lesson plans, intended to show the harms of racism and violence, differ according to age.

By HAYAH GOLDLIST-EICHLER
Ethiopian - Israel protest in Tel Aviv (photo credit: BEN HARTMAN)
Ethiopian - Israel protest in Tel Aviv
(photo credit: BEN HARTMAN)
Michal Cohen, director-general of the Education Ministry, in a letter on Monday, directed educational institutions to discuss the violent events that have occurred over the past few days at demonstrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with an emphasis on “the severe and destructive implications that these phenomena have on society and the state.”
The letter, which contained links to lesson plans for all grades, from kindergarten to high school, spoke about “deep revelations of racism, incitement and reckless violence,” as well as the obligation that rests on the shoulders of the ministry to mend “the unacceptable social ills and afflictions and to implant the sacred values of protection of human dignity and freedom, love for mankind and mutual responsibility.”
The lesson plans, intended to show the harms of racism and violence, differ according to age. The kindergarten lesson plan includes a general emphasis on “we are all equal and different” and conflict resolution through conversation and not violence, while the high school lesson plan includes group discussions about newspaper articles detailing some of the situations Ethiopian Israelis have had to deal with, such as being told not to donate blood to Magen David Adom because their blood would not be used.
The letter concludes: “The Education Ministry will continue to pursue the dissemination of the values of mutual responsibility, which have the ability to give and contribute, and in doing so it will continue to encourage students to volunteer and contribute to the community.”