"There is no substitute for a rigorous and thorough qualitative research, if one wishes to gain deep and nuanced understanding of school cultural ethos in contemporary heterogeneous societies, aiming at forging core curriculum. Markovich's book grapples with this task most impressively. Viewing the school as one of the major sites in which national identities are iterated and reiterated, inculcated and contested, in nationally, racially, ethnically and culturally diverse societies, her book is sure to become a significant contribution not only to the study of the Israeli education system but also to the study of education systems worldwide featuring similar background conditions."Prof. Yossi Yonah, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.