Chinuch Atzmai
Encyclopedia
Chinuch Atzmai was founded in 1953 by the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
(Council of Torah Sages of Agudath Israel
in Israel
) to serve as an alternate school system for Orthodox children in Israel. It was initially led by Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin
.
The diverse nature of Israel’s society is accommodated within the framework of the education system. Different sectors of the population attend different schools. Although, parents are comforted by the fact that their children’s school may more or less reflect their basic worldview, this separation results in very little contact among the various segments of Israeli society. Schools are divided into five groups: State schools (mamlachti), attended by the majority of the pupils, State religious schools (mamlachti dati), which emphasize Jewish studies, tradition and observance. Independent religious schools (Chinuch Atzmai) which focus almost entirely on Talmud Torah and offer very little in terms of secular subjects; Private schools which reflect the philosophies of specific groups of parents (Democratic Schools) or are based on a curriculum of a foreign country (e.g. The American School). Arab schools, with instruction in Arabic and a focus on Arab history, religions and culture.
There are approximately 80,000 students currently enrolled in Chinuch Atzmai schools, which include Beis Yaakov schools for girls, Talmud Torah
, Cheder
and Yeshiva Ketana for boys. There is a strong emphasis on Jewish studies in these programs.
The schools are partially supported by the State; however, the Ministry of Education is not responsible for the hiring and firing of teachers or for the registration of pupils. Schools in the Chinuch Atzmai system are allocated 55% of the budget that regular state schools receive and are required to teach 55% of the Ministry of Education's curriculum. Chinuch Atzmai's funding has traditionally been supplemented by donations from outside of Israel, particularly the United States. Rabbi Aharon Kotler
, one of the movement's founders, was extremely instrumental in fundraising for the organization. Due to sharp cuts in state funding over recent years, the movement has had to redouble its efforts in order to keep schools from closing.
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah refers to the supreme rabbinical policy-making council of any of several related Haredi Jewish organizations....
(Council of Torah Sages of Agudath Israel
Agudath Israel
Agudath Israel can refer to any of several related organizations, including:*World Agudath Israel, an international movement*Agudath Israel of America, an American organization*Agudat Yisrael, an Israeli political party...
in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
) to serve as an alternate school system for Orthodox children in Israel. It was initially led by Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin
Zalman Sorotzkin
Zalman Sorotzkin was a famous Orthodox rabbi. He is also known as the "Lutzker Rav", as he served as the Rabbi of Lutsk, Poland....
.
The diverse nature of Israel’s society is accommodated within the framework of the education system. Different sectors of the population attend different schools. Although, parents are comforted by the fact that their children’s school may more or less reflect their basic worldview, this separation results in very little contact among the various segments of Israeli society. Schools are divided into five groups: State schools (mamlachti), attended by the majority of the pupils, State religious schools (mamlachti dati), which emphasize Jewish studies, tradition and observance. Independent religious schools (Chinuch Atzmai) which focus almost entirely on Talmud Torah and offer very little in terms of secular subjects; Private schools which reflect the philosophies of specific groups of parents (Democratic Schools) or are based on a curriculum of a foreign country (e.g. The American School). Arab schools, with instruction in Arabic and a focus on Arab history, religions and culture.
There are approximately 80,000 students currently enrolled in Chinuch Atzmai schools, which include Beis Yaakov schools for girls, Talmud Torah
Talmud Torah
Talmud Torah schools were created in the Jewish world, both Ashkenazic and Sephardic, as a form of public primary school for boys of modest backgrounds, where they were given an elementary education in Hebrew, the Scriptures , and the Talmud...
, Cheder
Cheder
A Cheder is a traditional elementary school teaching the basics of Judaism and the Hebrew language.-History:...
and Yeshiva Ketana for boys. There is a strong emphasis on Jewish studies in these programs.
The schools are partially supported by the State; however, the Ministry of Education is not responsible for the hiring and firing of teachers or for the registration of pupils. Schools in the Chinuch Atzmai system are allocated 55% of the budget that regular state schools receive and are required to teach 55% of the Ministry of Education's curriculum. Chinuch Atzmai's funding has traditionally been supplemented by donations from outside of Israel, particularly the United States. Rabbi Aharon Kotler
Aharon Kotler
Aharon Kotler was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and a prominent leader of Orthodox Judaism in Lithuania, and later the United States, where he built Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood Township, New Jersey.- Early life :...
, one of the movement's founders, was extremely instrumental in fundraising for the organization. Due to sharp cuts in state funding over recent years, the movement has had to redouble its efforts in order to keep schools from closing.
External links and references
- Chinuch Atzmai: Torah Schools For Israel, 5 Towns Jewish Times: 5TJT Staff, May 2011