"It's a Phenomenon: Suddenly People Are Seeking Torah Education"; Tel Aviv School Principal Speaks Out

What makes parents living in the heart of secular Tel Aviv, in places like Yad Eliyahu neighborhood, Kfar Shalem, Kiryat Shalom, and even in the most prestigious areas, choose to send their daughters to a Torah school? If you think you'll get a clear answer to this question, you might want to stop here. Because this fascinating phenomenon of hundreds of girls attending 'Ma'alot Chana', a school for girls only, doesn't have a single reason but a variety of them.

There are parents who are simply dissatisfied with the state of secular and religious state schools, preferring complete separation with religious and Jewish values; some send their daughters due to the high academic standard offered, and some because of the unique principal, Mrs. Simcha Bar Sheshet. The fact she is a devout Haredi woman is in no way intimidating to them. On the contrary, it enhances the school's reputation, which has become highly sought after among the public in Tel Aviv in recent years.

Invested Girls

In a conversation with Mrs. Bar Sheshet, we discover the great secret of the school. "We adhere strictly to a curriculum fully aligned with that offered by the Ministry of Education and strive to provide the girls with everything at the highest level," she emphasizes. "This, of course, is reflected in Jewish studies such as the Prophets and Bible, presented in an engaging manner that creates interest and willingness to learn and familiarize the girls with concepts essential to every Jew, wherever they are. It personally moves me again and again to see even families distant from Judaism eventually wanting their daughters to know the Bible stories and have concepts about Jewish life, it's important to them.

"Additionally, we offer a high level of education in other areas - computers from the first grade in a well-equipped lab; we also teach sciences, mathematics, and English at a very high level, with all the teachers holding degrees and appropriate qualifications; we have a dedicated team engaged in remedial teaching, assisting students in lower grades; the atmosphere is also very warm and embracing, no girl feels neglected or not getting attention. Ultimately, when you meet our girls, you see they are well-invested. It's undeniable."

Mrs. Bar Sheshet notes that at 'Ma'alot Chana' it is not unusual for teachers to invite students to visit them in the afternoons and on Shabbat. "It influences them profoundly; the parents are very thankful for it and tell us that the girls never forget those Shabbat experiences. This is our goal - to instill a sense of family, to make the girls feel we are a community, a big family, we love them and they love us. This is also why I guide the teaching staff to always be available for calls, to listen, and try to understand what lies behind the conversations. Just as we would do for our own child."

Still, why would parents choose 'Ma'alot Chana' over religious state schools? How do you explain that?

Mrs. Bar Sheshet ponders a bit before replying: "Most families that come to us have some connection to religion. Religious or traditional. Unfortunately, not all schools always provide the values and knowledge they wish to instill in their children. Furthermore, from my knowledge of Tel Aviv's public, I can attest to the current trend of avoiding 'herd behavior.' Parents try to educate their children towards thinking, contemplation, and introspection. The goal is for us, as parents, to introduce our children to their roots, so that in the end, they can make conscious choices. This is truly what we have here. We are never trying to impose religion or commandments but simply to give our students the opportunity to reflect so they can understand what's ahead of them. I believe the soul of the girls knows to appreciate the values, and thus their path is mapped out well and correctly."

Beyond words, there are also touching stories at the school. One of them occurred about a year ago. A mother of a kindergarten graduate arrived at the school in a state of agitation. She explained that her three older sons attended secular or religious state schools, but her husband suddenly decided he wanted to send their youngest daughter to a Torah school because he heard recommendations. She came now to check and understand what makes this school so appealing that her husband insists on it, causing differences of opinion between them.

Eventually, after conducting thorough checks, she decided to enroll her daughter, albeit with severe suspicion. In the early days, she accompanied her daughter daily, wanting to ensure nothing was being imposed on her that she didn’t want, and on Fridays, she even attended class to ask, "You won't force her to light Shabbat candles, right?" A few weeks later, she managed to detach more, and towards the end of the year, she contacted the administration, sharing excitedly: "We can't thank you enough for enrolling our daughter here, she respects her parents so much and behaves with good manners. When the older kids refuse to do something at home, she tells them: 'You don't say no to mom.' Everyone here at home admires her. "Even I," the mother shared, "have strengthened myself because of her, and after the school had a special initiative about gratitude, I began to thank my husband for various things, yes, even for sending our daughter to this school..."

Another story dear to Mrs. Bar Sheshet involves the eighth-grade class: "At the end of the school year, we held a beautiful and invested graduation party for the eighth graders. We called it 'Song of Ascents for the Excellent'. During the event, the class teacher stood up suddenly and said she must reveal a secret. With an excited smile, she recounted: 'When I received the eighth grade at the beginning of the year, they seemed very challenging, with all the characteristics of this age. The feeling was 'where do I even start with them?' I decided just to pray. I took the name of one of the students and read all of Psalms for her success and progress, and listen, it's unbelievable. While I was reading, I simply saw the student starting to succeed, all her disagreements with her mother resolved, I moved on to pray for another student, and lo and behold, things also worked out for her in the best possible way, and so with each and every student. By the time I reached the last student, I read Psalms specifically wishing she would find a suitable high school, and I'm happy to announce that just days ago, she was accepted precisely into the high school she wanted."

And now to ask - to which high schools do the girls continue?

"Excellent high schools. Since our studies are at such a high level, all doors are open to them. Some prefer the more conservative path and others prefer the more open path. We encourage each one in her own way, they have the academic tools to be accepted into any of the high schools, even those requiring high academic criteria and offering advanced levels of matriculation."

Not Resting Even During Vacation

The summer vacation is a challenging time for everyone. How do you deal with it at school? The streets are so dangerous, and kids can easily slip away...

"The vacation is indeed not easy, especially in Tel Aviv," she agrees. "During the first part of the vacation, we offered a summer camp for the younger girls which recently ended. The second part is aimed more at connecting with parents and family. For junior high girls (7th and 8th grades), there is no summer camp, which is the most challenging, as they constantly seek activity. Thank God we managed to organize 'Tatzumot' meetings for them, these are gatherings held throughout the year and also during the summer, on a weekly basis. The girls particularly like these meetings and show full presence and cooperation even during the vacation days.

"This is worth noting that we prepare the girls before going on vacation, but the cooperation of the parents is also significantly important. It is crucial that parents encourage the girls to be under full supervision and to report where they are going, and certainly to limit cell phone use. The truth is, it is very difficult for the girls to understand the concept that 'parents need to know where you are.' It hurts them and their independence. But when speaking to them explicitly and explaining to them that the attitude towards them is not like little girls, but caring for their safety, things settle in. And of course, our teachers are on hand all vacation to talk to the parents and consult, they also contact the girls and show interest in what they are going through. We don't leave our students even for a moment."

Personally, as a Haredi woman, what challenges do you face in managing such a school?

"I myself, as the great-granddaughter of the Baba Sali, come from a household constantly engaged in outreach. We have always welcomed everyone into our home, and everyone who came was received with happiness, with a strong desire to answer any question they ask. We learned to love every Jew and to give him everything possible. This is how I was raised from a young age, so I'm thrilled with the incredible opportunity at the school to continue this legacy."

And what gives you the strength to continue? Even on the days that are harder and more challenging?

"First of all, the daily stories of parents about the satisfaction they see and the fruits of the investment, and also seeing the graduates come to visit, I'm certain how impactful the school was for them in shaping their personalities."

But surely there are also the opposite cases, where you meet a girl you invested in after a few years, and discover she doesn't look exactly as you hoped...

"You mean in terms of values?" Mrs. Bar Sheshet asks me, emphasizing: "At the school, we provide many value concepts and each girl gazes and takes what is good for her, there is no way the students don't take from a school that gives so much, and what they absorbed here accompanies them until one hundred and twenty. We have graduates who come and say, 'I will never forget my visit to this teacher...' There are some who still keep in touch with teachers, each one in her own level."

And finally, what message would you like to convey to parents and educators?

"My main message is: it's important that our children always feel that the goals of the parents and educators are chosen out of a great love for them and out of genuine concern for their educational, value-based, and mental success. Love is the foundation for everything, and once it is there you can add whatever you like, but first of all - true love, without judging and without criticizing. Simply to love, because with love you can achieve everything."

To contact Mrs. Bar Sheshet: maalotbanot@gmail.com