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Most importantly, the new Tal Campus is poised to help opportunity to learn Torah and secular studies at the same

many women and particularly Haredi women support their institution, which values both spheres with dignity.

families by providing them with the education they need to “We’re on the cusp of this evolution of Haredim [in the
enter the sought-after world of high-tech. workforce] — particularly Haredi women — in tech,” he

“Tal may only be a building. But it will have a significant explains. Many of the women at Tal, he finds, are quick to

impact on Jerusalem, our students and the Haredi understand the material at hand and even though some

population since almost half of our female students are may not have previously had access to a high level formal

Haredi’. It’s such an important project on a national, education in math and science. Tech is also a field in which

municipal and social level,” Hershkowitz says. getting up to speed later in life is possible, whereas other

To date, some 15% of all women studying computer more academically demanding sectors like medicine
prove much more difficult on
science in Israel are enrolled at JCT, and more than half of
that front.
the school’s students in computer
science are women, which is ACCORDING TO AN ISRAEL DEMOCRACY
As such, JCT takes a

extremely rare for any higher INSTITUTE REPORT, IN 2003, 37% OF proactively positive
education institution.
approach making it clear

“It’s definitely bringing a change HAREDI MEN AND 51% OF HAREDI that the college respects the

to the Haredi community because WOMEN WERE PART OF THE Haredi lifestyle and believes
that their decision to maintain
so many of them are living under the
poverty line,” he said. ISRAELI WORKFORCE. their religion is not only their prerogative,

but that balancing Torah and regular studies

Part of JCT’s success in expanding access is part of the school’s DNA. In fact, the

to higher education in the Haredi community lies in a institution positions itself as a resource for those who

seismic change within that population itself. According wish to retain their religious values while simultaneously

to an Israel Democracy Institute report, in 2003, 37% of empowering themselves through education, hard work,

Haredi men and 51% of Haredi women were part of the and earning a respectable (or even lucrative) living.

Israeli workforce. Today, those numbers have shot up to “We firmly believe that the way to really move ahead
52% and 78%, respectively. in the high-tech world is with a college degree. A six-

Hershkowitz believes that JCT can take credit for some of month or one-year course will not get you further than

that progress, given its unique ability to give students the a simple job in a big company,” Hershkowitz says. “The

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