ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to describe and discuss the educational system of the Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish community in Israel and its relationship with the state, in the context both of the Israeli legal system and the wider liberal-communitarian debate. We will begin with a description of the community and its attitude towards education. We will then examine the legal provisions governing education in Israel in the context of current trends towards constitutionalisation. After a brief analysis of the law prevailing in other jurisdictions and of the provisions of the relevant international documents, we will consider this topic in the wider context of our understanding of the concept of rights, and specifically the right to education and rights of groups. As a corollary to this, we will consider how far it is appropriate that the state should recognise Haredi education for the purposes of compliance with compulsory education laws and, if so, whether it is appropriate that such education be financially supported by the state.
