The 33rd government of Israel is upon us. There will still be some last minute crises, but everything is moving along pretty much as expected: A coalition that comprises Likud-Beytenu, Yesh Atid, Habayit Hayehudi, Hatnuah and Kadima. The final few days will be dedicated to the settling of scores within the factions who will sit on a ministerial throne, who will serve as deputy minister and who will be relegated to being a lowly MK? There will be tears, sorrow, threats and frustrations, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will assemble a coalition that will reflect the will of the voters. He will promise big, important achievements, but the real test will be whether or not the coalition lives up to its promises. The familiar promise is that the government will ensure that everyone carries an equal share of the military burden and encourage the haredim (ultra-Orthodox) to join the workforce. But even more important is the knowledge that the government will impose a core studies curriculum on all educational institutions in Israel (including the religious institutions which currently do not all abide by the standardized curriculum). Most of the public isn't aware of this, but introducing core studies into the haredi school system is the root solution to the haredi population's economic inferiority. The haredim have consistently fought against introducing core studies into their schools. Unfortunately, they often receive help from national religious haredim national religious Jews who support the haredim while completely ignoring the political and historical roots of Jewish tradition. There are three subjects that are critical to the core studies curriculum: Mathematics, English and a combination of agreed upon Bible, history and literature studies, which serve as a cultural foundation for every young girl and boy in Israel. Learning mathematics and English will allow the young haredi student to eventually integrate into the workforce and climb up the technological and economic ladder, while improving his or her income. The other subjects will strengthen his or her link to the general Israeli experience. Obviously, the material taught in haredi schools must be carefully selected in full cooperation with the haredi educators, but we mustn't give them a pass on this. So they won't study racy poems by Yona Wallach, but they will read Haim Nahman Bialik; they won't read Shaul Tchernichovsky (sadly) or Yonatan Ratosh, but they will read Nathan Alterman and Zelda. Anyone who knows how strongly Shas and United Torah Judaism have opposed core studies, how many MKs they threatened over having initiated legislation on the issue, understands that if the government abides by the adage "practice what you preach" then it will pave the road to improving coexistence within Israeli society from its core. The equality in sharing the military burden will only be a single, though important, chapter in this much more comprehensive endeavor. The other, still unconfirmed, news on this front is that Habayit Hayehudi is demanding authority over an expanded religious services ministry. If this is the party's way of getting their hands on hefty budgets and cushy appointments then forget it. It is a waste of time and money. But if this is a long-term endeavor to restore a Zionist and nationalist spirit to Israel's religious institutions, then their efforts are welcome. But why is Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett waiting so long to endorse national religious Rabbi David Stav of Shoham in his bid for the position of chief rabbi- The next coalition mustn't be anti-religious. It also can't be the type of coalition that, now that the haredim are most likely out of the coalition, settles some kind of score with Shas and United Torah Judaism for their actions over the last 10 years in the various governments. This cannot be a coalition of vengeance. It must be a coalition of repair. The next government has an enormous opportunity before it.
