Posted to Shlichus on
by S. Fridman - Lubavitch.com

Gothenburg, Sweden

On January 26, Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar, Chabad representatives to Sweden, were served at their home with a notice by Gothenburg’s school authorities: Four of their children presently studying at an international online school must be delivered to a Swedish school by February 1. Failure to do so may result in a fine of 16000 crown—the equivalent of $2400 per week.

Religious Freedom in Sweden Under Threat

by S. Fridman – Lubavitch.com

Gothenburg, Sweden

On January 26, Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar, Chabad representatives to Sweden, were served at their home with a notice by Gothenburg’s school authorities: Four of their children presently studying at an international online school must be delivered to a Swedish school by February 1. Failure to do so may result in a fine of 16000 crown—the equivalent of $2400 per week.

The notice came following a change in Sweden’s law January 1st that tightened restrictions on homeschooling, permitting it only in “extraordinary” circumstances. Religious reasons were explicitly excluded as a valid reason.

According to Richard Backenroth, the attorney representing the Namdars in their court battle against Gothenburg’s school authorities, the case will be a critical test of Sweden’s record on religious freedom. European law protects the religious freedom of its citizens, but with this action, Sweden is effectively denying the Namdars this right.

“This is a stain on the reputation of a country that takes pride in equality as a fundamental value,” says Rabbi Namdar who, like his wife, regards education as their “highest priority.”

Backenroth, who is appealing the notice and its “exorbitant fine” which came while the Namdars’ case is still pending, told lubavitch.com that “Sweden’s schools cannot possibly accommodate the needs of the Namdar children with respect to their religious requirements.”

Moreover, the law, which challenges the right of parents to home school their children, should not be applied to the Namdar children, he insists, because they are in fact, being educated “in a normal online school along with 500 international students,” as well as through private tutoring, yet Gothenburg school authorities are choosing to ignore this

Guy Linderman, a Jewish citizen of Sweden who was active in politics while living in Sala, supported the law when it was drafted years ago, but objects to its enforcement in the case of the Namdars. The law was originally motivated by concern for Sweden’s immigrant children, he explains, “many of who were denied an education, and had grown up illiterate, incapable of signing their names.”

But the Namdar children, said Guy, who has come to know them since he moved to Gothenburg several years ago, have benefited from high educational standards. “They are more educated than their Swedish peers,” he said, pointing out that all of them pursue careers in education.

Furthermore, as the only Orthodox Jews in the city, forcing them to go to a Swedish school where they would stand out, expose them to real danger. Swedish schools are notorious for their bullying problems, and the children would become a certain target for anti-Semitic harassment.

Leah Namdar sees this as one more in a pattern of challenges that she and her husband have been faced with in the course of the last 21 years since they have made their home in Sweden. Six of their 11 children now live and study abroad at Jewish high schools, teaching seminaries and rabbinical schools, all of them pursuing careers in education.

“We gave them an education that allowed them to integrate into the schools they have gone on to study at,” Leah said. That is the same educational route the rest of her children are expected to pursue.

“They need this education through the international online school in order to continue their studies abroad,” she said.

At their individual computers from 8:00 each morning to 1:15, five days a week, the children must master a full schedule of Judaic studies including proficiency in Hebrew. The afternoon is dedicated to English, Swedish, mathematics, geography, science, music, art, and gymnastics. All the children speak English, Swedish, and Yiddish fluently. They can read Hebrew by age 4 or 5, like other Orthodox Jewish children.

Their extra-curricular activities include community work, where they regularly visit the elderly, and help out with the Sunday Hebrew school classes for other Jewish children taught by their parents, among other educational activities. The online school also ensures the children benefit from a healthy social experience.

Thirteen year-old Chanchi Namdar, an 8th grader, plays guitar and piano, and is planning her graduation trip abroad with the rest of her international classmates. 10 year-old Rochel who is on the editorial board of the online school newspaper, loves writing and drama, and runs the talent contests for her schoolmates. She will be spending her winter break at a class get-together and midwinter camp with her sisters and other children who are similarly schooled, in New York later this month.

“They have a far more diverse and intense educational program than children in Swedish schools,” says Rabbi Namdar. He also points out that while education is free in Sweden for all children, even those going to private schools, he and his wife carry the burden of paying tuition for the online school and private tutoring, which adds up to a hefty figure when you have four children enrolled at once. That they should be fined for doing this only adds insult to injury.

Although Backenroth is careful not to attribute this action by the city against the Namdars to anti-Semitism, the Swedish government has recently been singled out by Dr. Moshe Kantor of the European Jewish Congress, as “the only government in the European Union refusing to talk about anti- Semitism in its borders with the European Jewish Congress.” It has done nothing to stem the attacks against Malmo’s Jews, many who fled the city as a result.

But Backenroth prefers to chalk it up to “a complete lack of understanding of Orthodox Jewish life,” he says. “They have no idea about Orthodox Jewish life, and would not know the difference between the life of an observant Jew and that of someone coming from a tribe in the Amazon.”

No one better than the Namdars have tried to address this unfortunate ignorance among Swedes. The couple has dedicated the last 21 years of their lives to raising Jewish awareness in Gothenburg through a variety of educational programs for adults and children that empower people with knowledge of Judaism and Jewish life.

So they question the city’s determination to enforce, or misapply the law in their case, where there is no cause for concern that the children’s education will be compromised. It has more to do, argues Leah, with Sweden’s attitude towards religion in general.

“While Sweden likes to portray itself as a society that cherishes multi-culturalism, it rather prefers to see everyone blend in, and does not tolerate difference very well,” says the Chabad mother who has nevertheless raised her children to wear their yarmulkes with pride.

For this family of 13, Sweden’s ban on shechita, the ritual practice of preparing kosher meat for consumption, in effect since 1938, and its more recent laws making Jewish ritual circumcision very difficult for Jewish families in Sweden, have not gone unnoticed.

The Namdars are bracing for the fight that may prove to be “the last battle against Communism.”

“We’re two parents fighting city hall for the right to give our children a Jewish education,” said Leah, unwavering. But no matter the outcome, the Namdars say, the will not compromise on their children’s Jewish education.

Hanging in the balance then, really, is nothing less than the religious freedom of Sweden’s citizens.

To help the Namdars fight the coming court battle, you can donate here.

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27 Comments

  • wow scary

    what does sweden call religious freedon????
    not banging on your door to make sure your not parcticing your religion
    thats about all they do for religious freedeom

  • search

    sweden is heading for big problems with the Muslims, I wonder if this is connected.
    they sound like fantastic role models for chabad parents!

  • A jew from sweden

    Y don’t thay send there kids to the Jewish school that only 10 minute form ther home

  • Milhouse

    #6, I knew it! A sheigets called mendel. No, we do NOT live under the laws of the land. We live under Hashem’s laws. Lubavitch is ABOUT breaking laws like this.

  • Milhouse

    #8, what kind of school is it? “Chadorim mesukonim” are worse than state schools.

  • moti

    to #8 no jewish school in Goteborg the Namdars used to run it it shut down also due to government problems

  • yungerman

    This is very sad. Meanwhile my friend’s children were thrown out of online school because he was no longer a shaliach and so have no school to go to… despite being told they could continue… doesn’t that seem to go against everything said in this article about education etc.

  • to #8 I agree with you

    Shluchim live in many different countries in the world. When they started out they sent their young children to the Jewish elementary schools that were available, and they supplemented any additional Judaics at home. Later on they sent their children to Lubavitch schools, when it was approprite. Just like other Shluchim’s children know that there are many situations at times they have to politely say “No, thank you or ”I don’t do that…“The children made a huge Kiddush Hashem and Kiddush Lubavitch, and are stronger for it. It is a perfect opportunity to reach out to other Jews who are not affiliated. The Rebbe gave a brocha to the Shluchim’s children. If the base is strong at home, you can give your children unbelievable ”shlichus” tools, 1.Proud of being representatives of the Rebbe.
    2.Leadership
    3.Standing up and being proud of who they are, and this will lead to a healthy self-esteem and
    4.Ultimately the next generation of successful Shluchim. There is nothing wrong with teaching your children (especially Shluchim’s children)that yes, we are different and that is ok!! but we accept,respect and love every Jew as much as ourselves.

  • an old unforgotten friend

    Alex:

    As a personal friend of your, from 770, know and keep at heart very dearly, yesh dayan v’yesh din,

    you have always been a lightning force in everything you have done, you have been an inspiration to all of us, your warm smile and great heart is still felt today,

    Know there is a Rebbe your Mishaleiach, he is watching over you,

    the foolishness of maniyos ve’ikuvim are a matter of time that will disapear,

    it is like many a night we have farbrenged in 770 in the wee hrs of the night,
    as in soviet russia. the hardships of chinuch, etc……

    keep strong, you will without a doubt prevail, you have 10,000’s of brothers and sisters on your side, and in the forefront the Rebbe.

    Alex Zei mekusher hakol tehi’ye mutzlach

  • How about in CH?

    “At their individual computers from 8:00 each morning to 1:15, five days a week, the children must master a full schedule of Judaic studies including proficiency in Hebrew. The afternoon is dedicated to English, Swedish, mathematics, geography, science, music, art, and gymnastics. All the children speak English, Swedish, and Yiddish fluently.”

    Do they study mathematics, geography, science, music and art in Crown Heights schools?

  • To # 8

    Why don’t u ask them if u live in Sweden. I know the Namdars, and they are not so stupid to insist on homeschooling their children if the school was good for their children.

    I looked into it & that school is mostly kids with Jewish fathers only, run under a reform/conservative/liberal, certainly not for religious Jews.

    easy to just call it “Jewish school”…

  • CR

    “Waiting for the “dina demalchusa dina” crowd to chime in. 3, 2, 1….”

    Right, because educating your children as you see fit without state interference is exactly the same as embezzlement, bank fraud, tax fraud, drug trafficking and harboring illegal immigrants, isn’t it?

    Shoteh!

  • Shmuely

    Big surprise. Sweden has become as bastion of anti-semitism in Northern Europe, and yes, they will have trouble with all the islamics they have invited in.

    I cringe every time I see a Yid driving a Volvo these days!

  • dina malcusa dina

    does not apply to overzealous reaching hand of the anti semetic law makers

  • Ten Thousand Swedes

    Ten thousand Swedes went through the weeds
    To chase one poor shaliach
    What will become of these ten thousand Swedes
    When they hear the shofar shel Moshiach?

    Yes, Goteborg and Sweden are in danger because of one Jewish family. It doesn’t matter that they are infested with Muslims who engage in such nice behavior as honor killings, wife beatings, and who knows what else. They must direct their resources at persecuting a Jewish couple from abroad and their children.

  • Law of the land? HA HA HA

    #6

    You want to bring up the so-called “law of the land.?”
    What a joke!
    Now hear this. In one European country (Maybe Belgium, Sweden – not sure) an Imam, who did not like the ways of the country, was making a big commotion. Someone complained to him, “You’re just a guest here. Have you no respect for your host country?” He said, “How can you respect a country that condones drugs, homosexuality, prostitution, public nudity, etc.?!”

  • Dovid Herz

    And that suprises you? Swedish politicians have a long history of anti-Semitism…

  • to #17

    And who are you to say than “math, geography. science” etc is more or even equally important to Jewish subjects?

    After going through the system up to obtaining a post-graduate college education, I can attest that most, if not all secular studies are superflous. You do not need years of secular studies to eventually learn how to make a living.
    YOU AND MANY HAVE BEEN BRAINWASHED BY THE SECULAR SYSTEM