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

An Israeli educator shared a personal story highlighting the importance of social and emotional education in ultra-Orthodox schools. His eight-year-old daughter requested to organize a "Friendship Day" at her school to ensure no child feels isolated during breaks. Although the school system has yet to respond to this initiative amid current challenges, the educator used this example to discuss broader issues in the education system.

He noted that while ultra-Orthodox girls' schools often invest heavily in costly extracurricular activities to maintain prestige, these events frequently lack long-term educational impact, focusing more on spectacle than on fostering social skills or values. Boys' schools, especially non-regulated ones, tend to have even fewer social programs, with little emphasis on social education or community-building activities.

The educator emphasized the role of social-educational coordinators in schools, who are responsible for creating a supportive social climate and connecting students emotionally to their cultural and religious values. He encouraged parents to actively engage with these coordinators, offer support, and contribute to meaningful social initiatives. He argued that parental involvement not only strengthens these programs but also teaches children the importance of caring and community.

The article concludes with a call to action for parents to collaborate with schools to enhance social education, stressing that such investment benefits children’s emotional well-being and identity development. The piece was published in the Achvata newsletter, distributed across Israel, with contact information provided for those interested in receiving it.