Jerusalem committee finalizes sister placements in major Haredi seminaries

Jerusalem officials and rabbinic leaders have approved placements for sisters in the city’s major Ashkenazi and Sephardi Haredi seminaries, in a decision led by Deputy and Acting Mayor Rabbi Tzvika Cohen, who oversees Haredi education. The rulings were reached today after hours of talks, reviews, and difficult decisions, with input from rabbis and the rabbinic committee advising the seminaries.

The issue is considered one of the most sensitive in seminary admissions, because many families see whether a younger daughter is placed in the same institution as her sisters as a matter of educational continuity, family stability, and community belonging. People involved in the process said the committee examined complex cases and weighed all the relevant details in order to allow a smoother start to the coming school year.

Cohen said after the decisions were made, “Nושא שיבוץ האחיות בסמינרים הוא מהרגישים והמורכבים ביותר במערכת החינוך החרדית בירושלים. מאחורי כל שם עומדת בת, עומדת משפחה, עומדות אחיות שכבר לומדות במוסד, ועומדת אחריות ציבורית גדולה.” He added that the process was handled carefully and under rabbinic guidance, and that while not every request could be fully satisfied, the authorities had to act “בכבוד, בשיקול דעת ובאחריות.”

The early ruling is meant to give hundreds of families more certainty ahead of the school year and reduce the stress that often continued until just before classes began. Officials said this is a significant step in preparations for the opening of the seminary year in Jerusalem, and that making the announcements earlier than in recent years should help families plan in time and begin the year with greater calm.