MAMAD Schools
State Religious Education in Israel
Looking for a MAMAD school for your children?
MAMAD schools – – ממלכתי דתי [ממ"ד] are part of the religious Zionist state school network [not similar in any way to public schools in the US].
Generally speaking, in these schools the principal is part of the religious Zionist community, while the teachers come from a variety of religious hashkafas, and are committed to teaching the curriculum set by the Ministry of Education and the Religious Education System. These schools are also committed to educating their students to choose a Religious-Zionist way of life.
At the same time, there can be significant differences between the schools on various issues: The appropriate way for men and women to interact in society, and the status of women in contemporary society – including in the school ; the attitude toward general studies and modern values ; and more.
Therefore, it is very important to inquire about the different schools, so that you can make an informed decision when choosing a school for your children.
Key Educational Questions to Consider
Integrative or Homogeneous?
Coed or Separate Education?
Facing or refraining from Challenges?
When students navigate challenges based on Torah and educational guidance, they gain the ability to listen, reflect, and make decisions about how to live in a pluralistic society – grounded in Emunah and halachic commitment.
We believe this approach best prepares children for adult life in these key areas of education: Establishing boundaries within modern society ; Developing balanced, modest halachic conduct in mixed-gender settings ; and choosing their religious path with integrity and respect for others’ differing religious choices.
Know Your Child's Rights as an Oleh
The school principal is responsible for the absorption and integration process of the olim students and returning Israeli students. Immigrant students should receive scholastic, socio-cultural and emotional assistance.
Make sure the school has a designated staff member who is familiar with these rights, and is responsible for ensuring that every Oleh receives those rights.
Please note: Some private or semi-private schools may offer an educational and religious approach that you find appealing. However, since they are not public schools, they may lack the necessary resources to provide Olim students with all the rights and support they are entitled to. We recommend that you inquire thoroughly about what the school offers in all areas, including the rights and support provided to Olim, so you can make an informed decision about which educational institution to choose for your children.
Hebrew Language Support
As Hebrew language skills are a critical part of the integration process, the government provides funds to schools so that immigrant students should receive extra hours of Hebrew instruction. The school principal must ensure that each new immigrant student is taught Hebrew as a second language, with optimal language learning taking place in a group setting and not individually.
Integration Assistance
The school should provide new immigrant families with other forms of integration help, such as offering families an accompanying English speaking parent to help navigate through school related matters. This can help parents with translating school emails and announcements, and clarifying school rules and regulations and in such a way ease a child's integration into the school.
Testing Accommodations
The government allows new immigrants to take some national Hebrew testing exams in English: Primary school: Second grade parents can petition to take a gifted student (mechunanim) exam in English High school: Students can apply to take the bagrut exam in English
Financial Benefits
In order to assist integration, new immigrant students are eligible for benefits in financing part of the education expenses, such as: Purchase of educational equipment and textbooks Financing a "cultural basket" with funding for trips and various events This amount varies between elementary education and high school, and depends on the date of immigration: Elementary education: More than 600 NIS for children who immigrated in the last year High school: Up to 1125 NIS for students who immigrated in the last year Primary school children who immigrated within the last two years are eligible for additional "basket payments" High School children can receive offset payments for school supplies even during the third year after aliya
For more Information Contact Us
Abigail Ben Ari
Head of Communities
[email protected]
055-6632541
Rabbi Tzvi Koren
Head of policy Education
[email protected]
052-6070121
How to Organize a Parents Meeting
We see much value in parents organizing meetings with their respective schools to discuss all issues they have when it comes to the education of their child.
We recommend including:
An Aliyah representative from the ministry of education
An integration representative from your municipality
A representative from your school administration
Basic Educational Policies for Implementation by the Government: The Religious Zionist Approach of Dor - The Center for Religious Education
We at Dor – The Center for Religious Education urge our public officials to take equal responsibility for all children in Israel. Educational policies should ensure fair competition and opportunities for the various educational institutions.
In accordance with this, we state the following three objectives:
Reduce Social and Economic Differences
Every school institution should receive the same treatment:
- Registration should be done automatically through municipalities and official institutions
- Public schools should not use acceptance interviews, screening tests, or other exclusive practices
- For secondary education (grades 10-12), schools should follow guidelines by the national Religious Zionist education authorities
- New private schools with small student bodies should not receive accreditation or funding if existing schools aren't over-populated
- Private schools should not receive more than 65% budget for operating expenses
Educational supervisors should ensure:
- Social balance and responsibility among all educational institutions in each region
- Specific hours for teachers to meet with individual students
- Dedicated classes for special needs students
- Solutions to integrate new immigrants
- Attention to gifted children, educational counseling, and psychological services
The government should introduce social measures to test the support for seed communities (garanim toranim), with support ending after a number of years.
Streamlining Budgets and Reducing Tuition
- Religious education system budgets should be standard, transparent, and equal in all institutions
- A minimum size should be maintained for official educational institutions (at least 3 classes per grade)
- Smaller institutions should be combined
- New institutions should only open with clear numerical justification
- Budget streamlining should extend to high schools
- High tuition fees should be reduced by ensuring large institutions and transparency in collection
Reducing Conflict Between Branches of Religious Zionism
- Schools should be responsive to parents' wishes rather than political ideologies
- This approach helps maintain larger student populations
- Prevents splits in the student population