Israeli Religious Boarding School Offers New Hope for Struggling Haredi Girls
Many Haredi and religious families in Israel face a difficult dilemma when their daughters struggle in regular educational frameworks. Although these girls remain officially enrolled and attend classes, they often disengage emotionally and academically, leading to a silent dropout where they no longer participate meaningfully in studies. Official data from 2023 shows that the dropout rate among Haredi students in grades 7 to 12 is 2.1%, double that of other Hebrew education sectors, with 822 Haredi girls dropping out that year and over 2,000 girls aged 13 to 17 previously enrolled in Haredi education not registered in any recognized framework.
For many mothers, the challenge is recognizing that their daughter is not just facing a passing difficulty but needs a different educational environment that is smaller, more supportive, and professional. One solution gaining attention is the youth village 'Afikey Or,' operated by the Magdel Or educational network under Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman. This boarding school is designed for girls entering grades 9 to 11 in the 2026-2027 school year who have not thrived in regular settings and require a nurturing, therapeutic, and academic environment.
Afikey Or offers a unique model where girls stay at the village during the week and return home on weekends, maintaining family and community ties. The school emphasizes small classes, personalized attention, and ongoing social work support to address emotional needs proactively. Beyond academics, the girls engage in practical activities such as animal care, hydroponic farming, sports, arts, and a soap-making enterprise that teaches entrepreneurship and self-efficacy.
The village aims to create a home-like atmosphere with quality meals, comfortable living quarters, and a balance of warmth, order, and independence. Impressively, about 80% of the girls earn a matriculation certificate, reflecting not only academic success but also profound personal growth. The director explains that the goal is not to change the girls but to understand and support them, helping them discover their potential.
Importantly, Afikey Or maintains ongoing relationships with graduates, providing guidance and support beyond their schooling years. This continuity reassures parents worried about their daughters’ futures. The program addresses the core parental concern: finding a safe, professional, and understanding place where their daughters can truly flourish without losing their connection to home and values. Mothers interested in discreetly exploring this option can contact the village for a personalized assessment.
