Achieving the “Impossible” Dream 

There is a saying: “Educate a young man and you educate one person only. Educate a young woman and you educate an entire family.”

With this in mind, the EMUNAH Florence and Joseph Appleman College of Art and Technology in Jerusalem set up its Mechina (Pre-Academic) Program. The only pre-academic program in Israel provided in a religious setting, the Mechina is a way of not only educating young women from poverty-stricken and difficult backgrounds to go on to higher education and lead better, more productive lives, but also is one of the most effective ways of breaking the cycle of poverty and distress for their children and families.

Now in its seventh year, with 124 students, this highly successful program helps young women who did not complete their Israeli matriculation exams (bagrut) to do so, and then go on to higher education. Some 80% of the women admitted successfully finish the Mechina and about 60% continue on to higher education. The bagrut exams are the Israeli passport to higher education. Without them, young men and women are not accepted to Israel’s universities and colleges. For the young women in EMUNAH’s Mechina, the program is their second chance to achieve what once seemed an impossible dream – educational success and the promise of future financial independence for themselves and their families.

Those in the program come from all over Israel and range in age from 18 to 27. Some are married with small children. Most are religious, but not all. Some are even ultra-Orthodox. Students are recruited through high schools, ads in religious pamphlets and notices to the Sherut Leumi (National Service). Many hear about the Mechina by word of mouth from young women already in the program or who have completed it.

“These are talented, intelligent young women who for a variety of reasons did not complete a full bagrut,” explains Rinatal Milo, Mechina coordinator. “There are no minimum requirements for our program. Some of our students only need to complete one or two bagrut subjects. Some, mainly the ultra-Orthodox women, come without having completed any bagrut exams [which are not offered in ultra-Orthodox schools].”

The Mechina offers a full-day, comprehensive curriculum that gives each student the intensive support she requires in order to succeed. The educational needs of every student are evaluated and a curriculum is designed to address the kind of assistance required. This includes academic, financial and even psychological support. Depending on the number of bagrut subjects the student needs to complete, the program lasts for either one or two years.

There are two tracks. The regular track has 100 students this year and offers a full range of bagrut subjects including English, math, Hebrew language, Hebrew literature, citizenship and Tanach. The second track, with 24 students, is for those who want to study education and go on to teach. It is a shorter track where students do math, English and academic writing.

The reasons these young women did not complete a full bagrut are varied. Poverty is a tremendous factor, with almost all the students coming from the lowest economic strata in Israel and in need of full financial assistance – tuition and living stipend. Without assistance, some don’t even have money to pay for bus fare to come to classes. Others receive their daily hot meal at the college. EMUNAH even provides books and supplies for some students.

“We have students who had to leave school to care for or support younger siblings,” Milo says. “Some of our students have learning disabilities and did not receive the help they needed to cope with this challenge. Many come from difficult home situations. We have one young woman whose parents divorced when she was 15 and she just left home, living who-knows-where for a while. In addition, we have 33 Ethiopian students who have language and integration difficulties.”

“Our Ethiopian students come from some of the most difficult socio-economic backgrounds,” explains Rivka Cohen, coordinator of the Ethiopian program. “All of them need both tuition and living stipends. They are all about 20 years old and unmarried. Many are new immigrants who arrived in Israel in their teens and still have difficulties with Hebrew and are not fully integrated into Israeli society. We provide special Hebrew lessons to bring students up to college level. Every young woman is a world unto herself and each one has her own problems and challenges. We work to help integrate them and provide the extras they need to succeed in Israeli society.”

Cohen cites the case of Rachel, an Ethiopian student. One of 14 children, Rachel has managed to become one of its best students, with outstanding bagrut scores. “She wants to study law when she finishes the program and is definitely qualified to do so,” Cohen states. “But this amazing young woman needed a lot of support and help to achieve this and we were there to give it to her.”

The Mechina provides diagnoses and relevant aid for students with learning disabilities, including intensive remedial assistance where needed. Individual tutoring is available in those areas where students need extra attention. Psychologists and social workers provide support services that address emotional issues and cultural differences -- or just a sympathetic ear to turn to in times of need. Career counseling is available to help students choose the career path appropriate for them. There is even a special fund to give students the “extras” needed to enhance their self-esteem. For example, Gila had severe dental problems. She was too embarrassed to smile and seemed sad all the time. After receiving dental care, she blossomed and acquired the self-confidence she needed to succeed in the program and in life.

Tsofia, who is now 21, married, living in Kiryat Arba and the mother of a baby girl, was a handful as a teenager. “I didn’t finish my bagrut because I was thrown out of high school in the 10th grade,” she recalls. “I was a real tomboy and a behavior problem.” Tsofia’s father managed to place her in an educational framework at EMUNAH College. “He was afraid I would go downhill and end up in bad company,” she relates. “But I didn’t take any of the bagrut exams.”

Tsofia did Sherut Leumi for two years but she was still unsettled. “I found myself leaving my religious background,” she notes. “Then, I realized that I wanted to return – to my family, to my religion. So I went to study in a midrasha. While I was there I decided that I wanted to complete my education. I realized that without an education I would not be able to ensure the future of my children. I would not be able to find a good job or give my children the kind of inspiration and guidance that would lead them to a good life. Just having a husband who works is not enough today to provide for children. I also needed to have a good profession.”

So Tsofia looked to EMUNAH. “This is my second year in the Mechina,” she continues. “The program takes into account that I am married and have a baby. The teachers are welcoming and the studies are excellent. Last year, I did four bagrut exams and my lowest grade was 80. This year, I am doing four more exams. My aim is to finish my bagrut with excellence and go on to study fashion in Tel Aviv.”

Not a very successful student in high school, Tamar, who was brought up in Jerusalem’s Old City, left high school without finishing her bagrut. She then went to the Sherut Leumi. “I worked as a group leader in Bnei Akiva in Kiryat Hayovel in Jerusalem,” she relates. “This opened my eyes to life. I saw how rewarding it was to work with youth and decided I wanted to be a teacher. But to do so, I had to have a bagrut and I had to advance myself and study.”

Tamar turned to the Mechina, doing one year in the track for those wishing to study education. “I really succeeded,” she says. “I finished with a 94 average. For the first time in my life, I found learning fun. I received a lot of support. It was a year of excellence. Without this program, I would not have found my way to higher education.”

Tamar, who recently married, is studying education at Efrata Teachers College and art at EMUNAH College. “I have always been good at art so I decided to combine education and art. When I finish, I will be qualified to teach art in schools. And further down the line, I am thinking about a master’s degree in art therapy.”

By helping one woman at a time achieve what was thought an impossible dream, EMUNAH is helping to educate a nation.

Sign up to subscribe to our magazine.

Back to Previous Page