Since October 7, Young People Seek Answers in Jewish Roots | Anat Knafo

Since October 7, Israeli youth are turning to Jewish studies and pre-military preparatory programs in search of identity. The author praises this trend, criticizes the state education system for failing to impart heritage, and warns against both religious and secular coercion. She calls for a national program to strengthen Jewish identity from kindergarten through military service.

Since October 7, 2023, there has been a dramatic surge in enrollment of Israeli youth, including discharged soldiers and reservists, in pre-military preparatory programs, study halls, and open houses of study. The author, Anat Knafo, sees this as a badge of honor for the young generation and a mark of shame for the state education system, which she says has failed to impart Jewish heritage and identity. She emphasizes that the demand is growing from the bottom up, not as a result of religious coercion. Knafo opposes both religious and secular coercion, calling for a connection to cultural, not religious, Jewish identity. She argues that the division and blurring of identity before the war created a dangerous gap that the enemy exploited, and that connecting to identity is an anchor for mutual responsibility and shared destiny. The author praises the Ministry of Finance for allocating resources but calls for a comprehensive national program from kindergarten through military service.

Since October 7, Young People Seek Answers in Jewish Roots | Anat Knafo