Page 14 - Perspective 2022 - 11.9.22
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DISCOVERING AND REALIZING POTENTIAL
STUDENTS OF THE JCT HAREDI MECHINA PROGRAM ARE PIONEERS — ADVANCING
THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND ULTIMATELY, THEIR COMMUNITY.
There is a monumental shift occurring in the Haredi threaten the success of the individual.
community that coincides with the growth of Israeli high-
tech. Like two asteroids headed towards each other, These students are pioneers, taking with them their
these worlds seem to be positioned to collide, bringing community values in search of something other than what
one of Israel’s most poverty-plagued demographics from their education system could provide, in order to advance
surviving to thriving, while creating a boom for the greater themselves, their families, and ultimately, their community.
Israeli economy.
Navigating this new terrain can range from difficult to near
impossible. JCT’s counselor, Noam Kedoshim, is dedicated
to working with the students of the mechina (academic
preparatory) program for Haredim on a personal level.
By addressing their personal and social contexts
alongside the gaps in the infrastructure that is so vital to
academic achievement, students are assured that they
are wholly prepared for this new frontier, and that they
will enter it with confidence and dignity.
Noam shared his insights into the challenges that these
pioneers face.
Minister of Economy Orna Barbivai with students at JCT | W HAT IS THE COMMON ATTITUDE TOWARD STUDY IN
HAREDI COMMUNITIES?
“Haredi students enter the economic arena at a
disadvantage due to their lack of basic STEM education. We “In some communities, families are concerned the students
consider the study of STEM disciplines critical for Haredim will be influenced by the outside world to change their
to be able to enter the job market. Despite this challenge, customs and way of life. Every student wants to succeed,
JCT manages to achieve the unbelievable in making the but these students must succeed. There isn’t a possibility of
most of the opportunities granted to Haredi men and ‘at least I tried’.
women, by providing them with comprehensive academic
training in high-tech and cyber professions,” Minister of A student once shared about his community, ‘You can be a
Economy Orna Barbivai said during a visit to JCT. doctor, but you can’t learn medicine. You can be a lawyer,
but you can’t study law. You can be an engineer, but you
She added, “As such, each student receives the tools can’t study engineering.”
and equal opportunities required for them to earn a living
with dignity. Moreover, on a national level, that success is | H OW DO YOU SUPPORT STUDENTS AS THEY JUGGLE
reflected in their integration as an essential and important EDUCATIONAL, FINANCIAL, AND FAMILIAL CHALLENGES?
part of the workforce.”
“We work a lot on focusing on the present. We create two
While offering cutting-edge training and facilities, JCT lists, one list of dreams, including all the details, all the long
also recognizes the social elephants in the room that term goals; and another list of short term goals, things that
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