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Conservative Judaism/Jewish education in the first century

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Expert: - 4/24/2007


Question
Hello. I was wondering did schools exist in Israel in the first century, or were most people taught by their families? If they did exist, did everyone go? Also, if they did exist, how much time was spent there? I'm referring to schools that would teach the kind of subjects that are taught in state schools in the west today.
Thank you

Answer
Dear Stefan,

Thanks for writing. There is a general consensus that young people were educated with teachers as a priority. We don't know a great deal about these schools, the curriculum, time, etc.

There are books about children and education. One book that might provide some insight: Jewish Education and Society in the High Middle Ages  by Ephraim Kanarfogel (Hardcover - Dec 1991).

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

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I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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