<HTML>I would think that an answer to this depends on what kind of school you
have... What I mean by that is: Is Religious Zionism a primary goal or an
important goal? (Keep in mind, I personally am an ardent Religious Zionist
and view HaRav Shlomo Aviner shlit"a as one of my greatest heroes.)
If Religious Zionism is a primary goal, then it would be very odd to have
Rabbanim working in the school who cannot support that. How to observe
Yom HaAtzmaut is, of course, a machloket even among Tzioni poskim. So one
could expect a Rav or Mechanechet to hold differently than a particular
school's practice. So long as this is done respectfully, I don't see why
there should be a problem.
If Religious Zionism is an important (though not primary) goal, then the
answer may be different. If the school is trying to teach "Elu ve'Elu" and
that a variety of shitot have legitimacy, then having Rabbanim who
disagree with the prevailing Zionist view is, in fact, a good thing. If
this is the case, then those Rabbanim should be able to respectfully opt
out of the program.
When I was in Yeshiva in Skokie (both learning and teaching), I was always
deeply impressed at the variety of hashkafot in the Yeshiva. Thus, on Yom
HaAtzmaut, there was a seudat mitzvah, and Hallel was said at Shacharit.
Those who didn't want to say it, didn't. Thus, there was Religious
Zionist practice without any coercion. Of course, this plurality of
hashkafot created fascinating discussions in the Bet Midrash (which is
part of the point of Yeshiva).
I would not presume to say which model is better. Clearly it depends on
the community and the primary goals of the school. All I can say is that
I was moved deeply, both personally and professionally, by the approach at
Skokie Yeshiva.
(Rabbi) Shmuel Jablon
Associate Headmaster, South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, Sunnyvale, CA</HTML>
