Israeli youths educated in the secular school system are shockingly ignorant of Jewish concepts and history, said MK Menachem Eliezer Mozes, head of the UTJ (United Torah Jewry) party. Mozes made the statement after meeting Sunday with President Reuven Rivlin.

The two discussed a number of issues, including the political situation, and the place of hareidi parties in Israel’s political universe. Also on the agenda was the need to increase the intensity and range of Jewish education in Israeli schools.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva after the meeting, Mozes said that he had told Rivlin that in his experience the majority of secular Israelis had no idea who Gedaliah Ben-Ahikam, the Jewish governor whose death was commemorated on a fast day that took place Sunday, was. “We have to do more to increase Jewish education,” Mozes said. “There are few indeed who could tell you what the reason for Sunday’s fast day was.

“I have a hard time dealing with the ignorance on Jewish matters of students in the secular school system,” he said. “I feel a responsibility to improve things. I worked in the Education Ministry and met with secular youth. I understand the vast gap between the minimum that must be taught and what is actually being taught today,” he added.