Published: 20 September 2022
Last updated: 5 March 2024
In Holon some parents protested Arab kindergarten teachers, but at mixed pre-schools across Israel co-existence is part of the core curriculum.
I'm a parent of two, and my kids go to a mixed kindergarten, where there is a Jewish kindergarten teacher as well as an Arab one.
In the kindergarten, the sweet Jewish and Arab children play, eat, and sleep together. I find it enchanting, and it fills me with faith that there is still hope for a different future in Israel.
And no, it doesn't mean Muhammad will greet the Shabbat or Shia will be in charge of the Eid al-Fitr meal. The kids will just learn about each other's holidays, culture, and language.
Earlier this week dozens of parents blocked the entrance to three new caregivers at a preschool in Holon. Not because the caregivers were ex-convicts or suspected of abuse, God forbid! Their only crime was that they were Arab.
The east Jerusalem women were hired as part of a plan to integrate them into Israeli society. Instead, we got a reminder of what our children's education system in Israel looks like in 2022 - racial segregation, severe racism, and a complete lack of familiarity between Jews and Arabs.
The parents' protest ended with a distress call from the kindergarten staff, and the new caregivers were evacuated, later announcing they had resigned.
For me, as a father to children who go to a mixed kindergarten, it was one of the most painful and heartbreaking moments I have experienced in recent times.
READ MORE
Mixed Jewish-Arab education may pave way for coexistence (Ynet)
Parents at Israeli Day Care Block Arab Caregivers for 'Not Undergoing Security Check' (Haaretz)
RELATED STORIES
Palestinian kids miss school after Israel halts army escort to protect them from settlers (Haaretz)
Since 2004, the children of Tuba have been escorted to and from school by Israeli soldiers to guard against settler violence, but for the past two days, the army has refused — and residents believe it is punishment for hurting a settler
Photo: Kindergarten students braid each other’s hair at a mixed Arab-Jewish kindergarten in Wadi Ara (Hand in Hand)
