Israeli Educator Urges Parents to Support Social-Emotional Programs in Haredi Schools

An Israeli educator highlights the importance of fostering genuine social connections and values-based education within Haredi schools, urging parents to actively support social coordinators in their children's institutions. The article begins with a personal anecdote about the author's eight-year-old daughter wanting to organize a "Friendship Day" at her school to ensure no child feels left out during breaks. Despite the current political and social turmoil preventing such initiatives, the educator stresses the need to focus on core educational principles.

The educator critiques the trend in girls' seminaries toward expensive, flashy events costing tens of thousands of shekels, which prioritize spectacle over meaningful social climate and value development. While some progress has been made in girls' institutions, boys' schools, especially non-regulated ones, often lack structured social education and activities, with minimal attention to social-emotional needs.

A key issue is the reliance on costly external entertainers for short-term events that yield little lasting educational impact. Instead, the educator emphasizes the role of "social-value coordinators," professionals trained to nurture students' emotional connection to Jewish values, community, and identity. These coordinators are vital in creating a supportive environment that resonates with both students and parents.

The educator calls on parents to collaborate with these coordinators by sharing concerns, offering help, and sponsoring meaningful events. Such involvement demonstrates to children that their social and emotional well-being matters, encouraging coordinators to innovate and strengthen their programs. The article concludes with a hopeful message that parental engagement can transform the educational experience and enrich children's connection to their heritage and community.

The article was published in the Achvata newsletter distributed across Israel, with contact details provided for receiving the publication or organizing local distribution.