AMIT Tzfat High School for Girls has a student body of 400 girls in grades 7–12. In addition to Jewish and general studies, the subjects offered are communication and film, law, physics, biology, and medicine, which is taught in conjunction with Bar-Ilan University’s new medical school branch at the city’s Ziv Hospital.
Academic excellence and helping each student achieve her full potential is an essential part of the educational experience. The school boasts a 93% bagrut pass rate.
This past year, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein visited the AMIT Evelyn Schreiber Ulpana in Tzfat as part of the “Connecting to the Knesset” project. Initiated by Edelstein, the project aims to connect Israeli school children and youth to the values of democracy and citizenship. During the visit, the students learned about the principles of parliamentary work and legislative processes, and engaged in discussions that simulated participation in Knesset committees and plenary sessions. MK Edelstein was impressed by the girls’ involvement, leadership and excellence, and congratulated them on winning the National Education Award and placing second in Israel’s national debate competition last year. “Your achievements, ambitions, and the ability to realize them are an inspiration for all of us,” said MK Edelstein.
Also this past year, 22 students from the school represented Israel and the city of Tzfat in a “March of the Living” in memory of the Salonika inhabitants who perished in the Holocaust and to mark the 74th anniversary of the deportation of the Jews of Salonika (Thessaloniki) to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
As part of a “Young Ambassadors” program, the AMIT students participated in a four-day visit to Thessaloniki, Greece. During the visit, the students connected with the Jewish community in Salonika, met with its leaders and learned about its heritage. The students were hosted by the Jewish elementary school, spoke with the students and staff, and heard about their determination to continue to maintain Jewish education there. In a moving meeting at a residential home for the elderly, the students met Holocaust survivors who shared the story of the destruction of the city’s Jewish community.
Upon graduation, the ulpana’s principal, Rabbi Yehuda Peles, fondly known to all as Rav Yehuda, and the rest of the administration, make a point of keeping in touch with the girls as they move on to their national service or IDF service. “Rav Yehuda sends us personal messages before holidays so that we remain connected,” said Shirel, a recent graduate who is in her second year of national service, teaching Judaism in secular elementary schools in Tel Aviv and Jaffa. “We are always welcome to drop in to the school for Friday morning prayers and Rav Yehuda’s weekly Torah class. Going back to the school feels just like going home.” Graduates are also welcome to attend holiday gatherings and special learning sessions at the school.