In 2012, led by the World Zionist Organization, the Israeli government took a decision to promote the status of the Hebrew language in Israel and around the world.
Almost a decade has passed since then, but we are witnessing, unfortunately, increasing erosion in the status of the Hebrew language in Israel and around the world.
In many countries it is no longer acquired as a second language, but as another foreign language, of less importance than more "useful" languages such as English and Spanish. Most Jewish schools in the world allocate a few hours of study to Hebrew, and even Jewish subjects are taught in the local language. Children and teenagers around the world learn about the Jewish holidays and learn the stories of the Torah and the Bible in their mother tongue and not in their own language. Until about three decades ago, there were quite a few Jewish educational frameworks in the Diaspora. A significant setback, and today it is rare to find schools that teach "Hebrew in Hebrew."
At the "Torah and Education" school on the island of Djerba, this miracle still takes place, despite the poor study conditions there. However, the old school is, unfortunately, an exceptional educational institution. Many of the youth are unable to have a conversation in Hebrew even after 12 years of schooling in a Jewish school. As a result, schools in the Diaspora are facing a growing shortage of local figures who can teach Hebrew in their countries. .
And what is happening here in Israel, when Hebrew is our mother tongue? Just as in other countries of the world other language studies are encouraged that will help students "succeed more in life", here science and mathematics studies are encouraged and language studies and professions are neglected, assuming that students will benefit more, literally, from real studies. The Israeli government must work to strengthen the importance of the Hebrew language and improve its image here, indoors, with the understanding that cultivating verbal thinking and verbal ability can open up wider worlds for students, and necessary for the development of intellectual, social and creative skills no less than extended math.
The decision to dedicate a fixed date to mark Hebrew Language Day (21 Tevet) is a worthy decision, but we must promote the Hebrew language every day and at all times, and restore its proper place in Israel and the Diaspora. today more than ever there is Zionist movement responsibility to make it the primary language education of our children in Israel and around the world, exactly as prescribed by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda: "If we want is that our children will pass over, we need to educate them in the Hebrew language and make it the primary language education of our children."
the writer is the head of a Department of Hebrew and Cultural Organization World Zionism
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