Israeli Student Suspended for Putting on Tefillin Sparks Massive Prayer Rally in Ramat Gan

Israeli Student Suspended for Putting on Tefillin Sparks Massive Prayer Rally in Ramat Gan

Edited by: Fern Sidman

A controversy erupted at the Ohel Shem school in Ramat Gan when a student was suspended after placing Tefillin during recess, an act that is neither uncommon nor restricted in the secular school. However, as reported by VIN News on Thursday, the deputy principal reacted harshly, confiscating the Tefillin and telling the student that he was not allowed to engage in religious practice on school grounds.

When the student protested, arguing that recess time was his personal time and that he had the right to use it as he saw fit, he was sent to the principal’s office. The situation escalated into an acrimonious argument, culminating in the student’s suspension.

The disciplinary action sparked outrage among students, who quickly organized a large-scale prayer vigil outside the school the next day. As VIN News reported, the protest drew widespread participation from both religious and secular students, who saw the suspension as an overreach of authority and a violation of freedom of religious expression.

At the rally, many students placed Tefillin in solidarity with their suspended peer, demonstrating their commitment to traditional Jewish values. Others chose to recite Tehillim (Psalms) in memory of the Bibas family, Israeli hostages who were murdered by Hamas while in captivity. In addition to personal prayer, a Mincha minyan (afternoon prayer service) was organized at the site, allowing students to engage in religious practice freely.

Hundreds of students also received Tzitzit, which were distributed by supporters who viewed the event as an opportunity to strengthen Jewish identity and observance. According to the information provided in the VIN News report, the student who was suspended was hailed as a hero by his peers, many of whom expressed disgust at the principal’s behavior and stood firmly in support of religious freedom in public schools.

This incident at Ohel Shem is not just about one student—it reflects a larger debate about religious expression in secular Israeli institutions. The VIN News report highlighted that while Israel is a Jewish state, there are deep tensions between secular and religious communities regarding the role of Judaism in public spaces, particularly in state-funded secular schools.

Critics of the principal’s actions argue that students should not be punished for practicing their faith, especially during their own free time. Supporters of the school’s decision, however, may see it as part of a broader effort to maintain secular education free from religious influence.

The response from the students, however, sends a clear message: there is a growing demand for religious expression, even in secular institutions. VIN News reported that the mass participation in the prayer vigil demonstrates that Jewish identity remains a powerful force among Israeli youth, even in environments where religious observance is not formally promoted.

The reaction from the wider community has been mixed. Many religious leaders and organizations have condemned the school’s administration, arguing that suppressing religious expression is a violation of personal freedoms. Some have even called for an investigation into the school’s handling of the situation.

Meanwhile, secular activists and educators argue that public schools should remain neutral spaces and that students should not feel pressured into religious observance within school grounds. However, as the VIN News report indicated, there was no evidence that the student was forcing others to participate—he was simply practicing his faith on his own during a designated break period.

With tensions rising, it remains to be seen how education officials and policymakers will address the issue. Will schools be required to clarify their stance on religious practice? Will this incident set a precedent for future cases? These are questions that will need to be answered in the coming weeks.

This event will likely spark further debate about religious expression in Israeli schools, with both sides of the ideological spectrum weighing in on the balance between secular education and Jewish identity. One thing is certain: the students who stood up for their suspended classmate have demonstrated that faith and tradition remain deeply embedded in Israeli society, and that young people are willing to fight for their right to express them.