Support Pluralism in King David Schools

Opened on November 19, 2008 | Contact Petition Author

We, the undersigned, call for the equal treatment of the Progressive Jewish movement in the King David Schools. Over the past few years Netzer, the Progressive Jewish youth movement in South Africa, has not been allowed equal rights within the King David schools. While the other youth movements are allowed full access to students during school time while openly representing their movements, Netzer is prohibited from doing so on the sole basis that it is a movement associated with the Progressive Jewish community. In March 2008 Netzer’s scheduled participation in an Israel Centre event promoting programmes in Israel was unilaterally scratched by the King David Schools administration. Following this, many meetings full of empty promises took place to address this inequality, but after six months nothing significant had changed. Recently Netzer received an official response - stating the current policy disallowing the movement from access is to be continued. The letter was penned by Rabbi Craig Kacev, the General Director of the South African Jewish Board of Education. The central points of his correspondence are as follows: "The Netzer shaliach/shlicha is welcome to represent the Israel Centre in the schools for all Zionist activities, not as a representative of Netzer but rather as a representative of the Jewish Agency, thus not wearing Netzer apparel when doing these activities. While promoting Israel the Shaliach/cha may not promote reform ideology nor draw kids to Netzer who are not currently members of such youth movement. Netzer will be able to meet with its constituency in the school so as to promote its camps. These promotions will be announced on the intercom and a room will be made available but no promotions will be allowed to the entire school." The decision of the Board does not make sense on any level: it undermines a robust community, delegitimises any claims of open and democratic education, entrenches arbitrary discrimination and prejudices (surely taboo concepts in today’s liberated and educated understanding of identity within South Africa) and in fact damages the Jewish Board of Education’s agenda of sending more young people to Israel to connect with aspects of themselves and their ideologies in a Jewish framework. The South African Jewish community is small and has had many opportunities to embrace pluralism and openness. New waves such as the introduction of Limmud to South Africa mark important shifts in the way we see ourselves as a community. Let us hope that the pressure we put on the Board results in a change that pushes the community in a positive direction and is a starting block in creating an inclusive, engaging and dynamic community.