Rabbanit Shulamit Melamed Reflects on Education, Family, and Public Service Journey

Rabbanit Shulamit Melamed shares her life story, highlighting her upbringing in the religious moshav of Sde Yaakov, where education, Zionism, and responsibility were central values. Raised in a warm home by an educator father who studied Torah weekly with his children and a mother who encouraged broad learning despite financial constraints, Melamed also credits her grandfather for instilling a love for Israel and a deep sense of gratitude for living in a Jewish state. Her family immigrated to Israel before World War II, carrying with them memories of Europe and a commitment to the Jewish homeland.

A formative experience for Melamed was spending a year in Belgium as a child, where she lived among children who survived the Holocaust. At six years old, she shared meals and sleeping quarters with them, learning early the importance of volunteering and dedication. Although she initially dreamed of becoming a school principal, after her mother’s passing she chose to study teaching to support her father and soon discovered her true calling in education. She taught for many years, emphasizing the role of teachers as educators beyond mere knowledge transmitters and advocating for practical teacher training.

This philosophy led her to establish the Noam educational network, which began modestly in a private home but quickly grew due to parental demand for schools aligned with their worldview. Melamed also discusses balancing career and family, noting she often adjusted her work hours to be present for her children and only expanded her public activities, including founding Channel 7, after her youngest child was seven. On feminism, she supports women’s talents and contributions but stresses the importance of prioritizing and maintaining balance, stating, "Everything in its time and measure."