Op-Ed: Secular Learning in Lubavitch Schools

by Baroch S.

The Lubavitch community, renowned for its deep commitment to Jewish education, faces ongoing challenges in balancing rigorous religious learning with comprehensive secular education. This balancing act raises critical questions about how much we actually need to teach our kids these days.

Baruch Hashem, the cornerstone of Lubavitch education is its emphasis on chassidus. It has been like that since Lubavtich was first around. Needlessly today’s institutions seem to have forgotten that important part of our kids’ education.

Altogether the Rebbe had a profound influence on the community’s approach to education. Since the beginning the Rebbe emphasized the paramount importance of learning Torah, often expressing concerns about the potential distractions and spiritual risks posed by secular studies.

The Rebbe made it very clear the balance we should have between the two sides of education.

Also known however, the Rebbe was not entirely opposed to secular education. Universally the Rebbe recognized its necessity for practical reasons but insisted that it should not compromise Torah learning. But the Rebbe advocated for a model where secular education could be introduced to Yeshivas on a small scale and only the necessities but never overtake Torah learning. Earning the students a bit of both worlds the Rebbe encouraged creating educational environments where both aspects could coexist harmoniously, provided that Torah remained the core focus.

Rather unfortunately my kids’ schools have slowly started increasing the secular education in the curriculum going directly against the Rebbe.

My husband has suggested moving schools but I don’t want to put my kids through that ordeal of moving schools and finding new friends etc…

It’s a great shame that this issue is happening today in Crown Heights. Currently my options are limited for my children’s chabad education to be the way the Rebbe wanted. It’s a great shame that today’s educators are lenient towards the Rebbe’s words.