Curriculum for Jewish schools

Jewish education has long been, and continues to be, a cornerstone of the heritage, identity, and cultural continuity of the Jewish community. Historically, the process of education began in the home, where parents passed on the foundations of faith, tradition, and social values to their children. Over time, institutionalized forms of learning developed—from cheders to yeshivas—which shaped successive generations.
The beginning of the 20th century brought a dynamic expansion of modern Jewish education in Poland, encompassing both religious and secular currents. A wide range of educational institutions emerged—from kindergartens to secondary schools and seminaries—creating a strong intellectual and cultural foundation. This development was brutally interrupted by the Holocaust, which led to the near-total destruction of the educational system and social life of Jews in Poland.

Today, the reviving Jewish community faces the challenge of rebuilding education under conditions of dispersion and limited resources. Children and young people most often attend mainstream schools, while knowledge of Judaism, Jewish languages, and culture is acquired through supplementary classes organized by religious communities and non-governmental organizations. The lack of a coherent educational system constitutes a significant barrier to building a lasting identity and cultural continuity.

In response to these needs, the Jewish Association Czulent has developed a unified curriculum designed for broad application across Jewish educational initiatives in Poland. The program was created through dialogue with Jewish institutions and responds to the community’s real needs.

The developed core curriculum combines elements of Jewish history, culture, and tradition with a modern pedagogical approach, inspired in part by the work of Janusz Korczak. It also includes the teaching of Yiddish as an important component of heritage. The program strengthens the sense of identity among children and youth while promoting values of openness, tolerance, and respect for diversity. It also serves as a tool for integrating young people and supporting the cultural and religious life of entire families.

The program was complemented by the development of a set of documents analyzing the possibilities of providing minority education within the Polish education system. These materials offer practical support for Jewish communities seeking to develop their own educational initiatives in compliance with existing regulations.

The implementation of this initiative resulted in the creation of a lasting foundation for the development of Jewish education in Poland, as well as strengthening the role of the Czulent Association as an organization that responds to the community’s key needs and helps build its future.

Project support and cooperation

Funding

• Koret Foundation

• Ministry of the Interior and Administration