Beginning with the next school year, girl’s high schools (Ulpanot) will be permitted to teach Gemara as per the decision of Education Minister Rabbi Shai Piron regarding the states religious public schools.

Education Ministry Director-General Dalit Stauber added she does not plan to compel anyone to study Gemara, and the program will require a request from at least 50% of the parents of girls in a school.

Piron explains his decision, which he feels seeks to prevent discrimination and to acknowledge the different hashkafos in the religious community. He feels a request to learn Gemara reflects on the different backgrounds of students, boys and girls alike, attending the state’s religious schools.

Ministry officials report during recent years an increasing number of girls have expressed interest in learning Gemara.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)