-M'eulim B'Kodesh The Rise of "Torani" Yeshiva High Schools in Israel

By Ofra Locks B'Sheva Newspaper (Arutz Sheva) 11 Cheshvan 5767/Nov.11, 2006

Amongst the Torani national religious yeshiva high schools registration for next year will close around Chanukah time and a student with an average of less than 90 has almost no chances of being accepted A curriculum comprised of maximum Judaic studies and minimal secular studies, a high level of learning, a warm homey atmosphere of a Torah greenhouse, a quality student population that was carefully chosen- the combination of all of these attractive qualities has brought the demand to learn in yeshivot such as Merkaz Harav Kook's high school (Yeshiva L'tzeirim), Bnei Tzvi in Beit El, Rav Steinzaltz's Mekor Chaim, and Halichot Olam to a record high And what about the disappointed applicants who were not accepted? Whoever opens a Torani yeshiva high school for students with an average of 70-80 will find tremendous demand for their school, says Rav Ahron Tropp, Rosh Yeshiva at Bnei Tzvi in Beit El

It was around this time of year sixty seven years ago in the month of Cheshvan of 1940 that the first Bnei Akiva yeshiva emerged in Kfar Haroeh. The Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Moshe Tzvi Neriah zt"l, and thirteen students began the first ninth grade under very difficult conditions. Since then for more than fifty years yeshiva high schools and girl's high schools have been emerging everywhere, in the city, in the country, in the valleys and on the mountains. The yeshivot and the ulpanot of the national religious community combine Judaic studies and secular studies allowing their students to achieve a bagrut certificate. Rav Neriah's dream? Not necessarily. During the first decade of Rav Neriah's yeshiva the students studied Judaic studies only - Gemara, Mishna, Tanach, and Rav Kook's writings. The legend has it that when Rav Neriah was asked about secular studies he put out his palm and said, "When hairs grow here secular studies will be taught in this school." However it seems that Rav Neriah had no choice on the matter. Parents pressured and he understood that if there would be no bagrut certificate there would be no students. At first the students studied secular subjects in a separate building, outside of the yeshiva, however with time the classes were given closer to the yeshiva. Today Yeshivat Kfar Haroeh, as all yeshiva high schools (tichoniot), divides the day between Judaic studies and secular studies. During recent years an educational track has been developing which returns to Rav Neriah's original thought whereby a yeshiva, including a yeshiva high school, is primarily a place of Torah study. These schools feel that it is possible, and incumbent upon them, to reach a higher level of Gemarah, Tanach, and Jewish philosophy, and the time needed to prepare their students for a bagrut certificate is minimal. This is how the Torani high schools evolved, and they are constantly increasing in number. The demand for them? Very high.

The Mother of Yeshivot Toraniot

The school that can be considered the mother of the yeshivot toraniot is the high school of Yeshivat Merkaz Harav Kook, or, as it is referred to by the youth, Yashlat"z.

The yeshiva was established forty three years ago when rabbanim at Merkaz Harav looked for an appropriate yeshiva for their sons and could not find a Zionistic yeshiva high school with an acceptable level of Torah studies. From the outset the curriculum at Yashla"tz included some general studies, such as history and literature, however the students did not study towards a bagrut diploma. Later on, explains Rav Yerachmiel Weiss who heads the yeshiva for more than thirty years, the parent body at Yashlatz expressed interest in having the option of pursuing a degree in higher education open to their sons. The heads of the yeshiva asked their Rav, Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook zt"l, if they could introduce mathematics to the curriculum. Rav Zvi Yehuda's answer was that even in the Chareidi Talmud Torah "Eitz Chaim" mathematics was taught. The only subject that Rav Zvi Yehuda was displeased with them learning was English. The reason for this, explains Rav Weiss, was that Rav Zvi Yehuda felt that learning a language entails learning the culture of that language as well. Rav Kook requested that English studies take place outside of the walls of the yeshiva and that it be financed independently by the parents who were interested in it. And this, in fact, is what happened. A special apartment was rented and designated for English studies. To this day, despite the fact that students at Yashlat"z who are interested in pursuing a high level bagrut degree have the option of doing so, it is clear that in the eyes of the Torah education staff, general studies are not high priority. What characterizes the yeshiva is a very strong Torah atmosphere in the spirit of the writings of Rav Kook, trust and respect between the students, teachers, and Rabbanim, and an emphasis on leaving room for the development of the individual student.

The Bagrut Exams are Not the Focus

There is no scientific definition for the term "Torani Yeshiva High School", and placing one high school as opposed to the other in this category may be subject to debate. As mentioned, what characterizes this group is first of all the primary standing that Torah studies are given, usually at the expense of general studies. From amongst the varied characteristics of these schools what stands out is the high level of religious commitment that the student body possesses, most of whom come from very religious homes. Today there are approximately seven Torani high schools, all sharing a basic common philosophy, yet each one having its unique characteristics which are expressed in their curriculum and educational philosophy. One of the yeshivot from amongst this group, which is very much sought after, is the Mekor Chaim yeshiva, headed by Rav Dov Zinger under the presidency of Rav Adin Steinzaltz. Yeshivat Mekor Chaim was established twenty two years ago on Mekor Chaim Street in Yerushalayim, hence the name, Mekor Chaim. Nine years ago the yeshiva moved to Kfar Etzion in Gush Etzion. As most of the roshei yeshiva, Rav Zinger himself is a graduate of a yeshiva high school (Yeshiva Tichonit). Once, as a student, one of his teachers told him that the yeshiva is like a bottle factory the factory remains and only the bottles change. Rav Zinger found this statement very harsh and to this day tries to make his yeshiva quite the contrary. The yeshiva, which incorporates Chassidut into the avodat Hashem of its students, and turns to the Chareidi population as well (less so today due to its location), brings a new spirit to the educational

experience, and the entire framework is student oriented. The rabbeim come from a wide spectrum of backgrounds ranging from Amshinov and Breslov Chassidim to graduates of the Har Etzion Hesder yeshiva. The staff introduces new concepts and is constantly "feeling the pulse" of the students. At Mekor Chaim one comes across new terminology such as sichot blit"tz (sicha bli tziniyut) [a talk without cynicism], Rama"sh (Ra"m Mishne) [an assistant rebbi], and this year the concept "Ra"m Tzaharayim, afternoon Ra"m, was introduced. For those who don't catch on yet, we will add that Rav Zinger is one of the founders of the Beit Midrash L'Hitchadshut, the Beit Midrash for renewal. Yeshivat Bnei Zvi in Beit El actually subscribes to a more traditional educational curriculum of seder and shiur. "These are things that are handed down to us from generation to generation without any sensationalism", says Rav Ahron Tropp, the Rosh Hayeshiva. What stands out at Bnei Zvi, affiliated with the post high school yeshiva in Beit El, is the high level of Gemarah studies. General studies begin at 5:00 p.m. and are studied for about one and a half hours. This is enough time to let the students approach the bagrut exams, however Rav Tropp emphasizes that the bagrut exams are a secondary goal. "There is a concept of 'tafasta merubeh lo tafasta.' Very few students are capable of excelling in both studies of kodesh and general studies at the same time. We believe in raising students in a Torah atmosphere with a certain basic foundation in general studies; however the main objective is Torah." In addition, Bnei Zvi invests energy toward an individual kesher with students and developing a feeling of joy, simchat hachaim. Yeshivat Halichot Olam in Karnei Shomron is affiliated with Yeshivat Hashomron a yeshiva high school, yeshiva tichonit, headed by Rav Zev Krov. Rav Krov initiated the establishment of "Halichot" and he invited Rav Zev Mendelson to head the yeshiva. What distinguishes the yeshiva, which is starting its seventh year, is its program of learning Gemarah l'Halachah. Upon completion of studying the Gemarah the students study Halachik rulings which connect the Beit Midrash with the outside world of action. The students also write papers on great Torah personalities and Jewish History. The concept of bridging the world of Kodesh with the world of Chol reaches the general studies as well, which here too only begin after 5:00 p.m. For example, the language teacher brings examples from Parshat Hashavuah.

Zionistic Yeshivot Ktanot

[Note: Within the Chareidi world all high school age students do not spend any time learning general studies. The yeshivot in which these students study from age 14 -18 are referred to as Yeshivot Ktanot.] While the yeshivot that we have mentioned until now teach some form of general studies, today there are a number of "Zionistic Yeshivot Ktanot", which do not incorporate any general studies. This phenomenon includes approximately 200 young men in four yeshivot in Israel. The senior program amongst them was established in Chevron by Rav Moshe Bleicher, the Rosh Hayeshiva of the yeshiva gavoha there, in 1990. Their first class was made up of four students and after two years the yeshiva, headed by Rav Ahron Egel-Tal, moved to the settlement of Ma'aleh Chever. Today there are sixty boys in the yeshiva. The fact that this was the first "yeshiva ktana" within the national religious world sent the educational staff in search of a program

which would consist of intensive high level Torah studies on one hand, along with a spirit of nationalism. With time, says Rav Egel-Tal, we improved our methods and "Thank G-d the fruits are excellent." The "excellent" students in the eyes of Rav Egel-Tal are not the doctors and the lawyers and not necessarily the "Gdolei Hador". The "metzuyanim" for him are the alumni that received a natural, true, Torah education. According to him the question of religious identity of the student is irrelevant. Rav Egel-Tal tells us, "The yeshivot ktanot are dealing with a much deeper world. To what degree is the original Jewish culture your culture? When we get to the bottom of this question we can distinguish between the person that developed within the world of kodesh and the outsider. Within this context the term "metzuyan" refers to the individual who identifies completely with Torah, which brings a person to true good and motivates him to bring good to his nation and the world." According to Rav Egel-Tal many of the doubts, feelings, and confusion of the national religious camp stem from the deep influence of Western culture on this sector, which views the world through Western eyes. If this sector would educate only for Torah and through Torah, he says, "There would be no question as to who should be obeyed, the Torah or the sergeant. Through our studies here we are facilitating the liberation from this position." Rav Egel-Tal warns that a significant amount of Torah talent is lost due to the fact that all of the youth are sent automatically to regular yeshiva high schools, yeshivot tichoniot. There is definitely a group that is capable of learning Torah the entire day and these young men have the ability of reaching very high levels. The Torah is infinite. Two years before Rav Neriah passed away the staff of Rav Egel-Tal's yeshiva ktana spoke with him. Rav Neriah blessed them for establishing their yeshiva and told them that if he would establish a yeshiva high school today he would set it up with the first two years being completely devoted to Torah studies and the following two years would combine Kodesh and Chol. Rav Egel-Tal is sure that this type of framework is suitable for the masses, besides those who have the ability to succeed through full time Torah study. "The all too common line of parents to their sons in twelfth grade of yeshiva tichonit- 'What have you been doing for four years?' would be prevented." At the Sha'alvim educational complex the younger sister of Yeshivat Ma'aleh Chever can be found, Derech Chaim, a yeshiva in its fourth year of existence with approximately sixty students. This yeshiva ktana stands alongside the established Hesder yeshiva and yeshiva tichonit, standard yeshiva high school. Rav Matanya Ariel, the Rosh Yeshiva of the yeshiva ktana at Sha'alvim tells us that his students study from 8:00 in the morning until 9:30 at night. During these hours the students experience only three regular frontal classes, in a classroom with the teacher. The students have a very high level of discipline and if, for example, the teacher is late the students sit and study. They know that their time is valuable. "We also have down time and make sure that we have time for tiyulim and enjoyable lectures, however there is no filibustering. The students are not here for the teachers." In the yeshiva ktana at Sha'alvim the students spend three years completely devoted to Torah studies. During the fourth year an option is given, for those interested,

to complete studies for a bagrut diploma in one year; half of the day kodesh and half of the day chol. The track of preparation is based on the experience of pre-academic institutes which prepare students for the bagrut exams in only one year. Rav Ariel explains, "We do not want our student's options to be closed, and we do not want them to have an inferiority complex when they reach the next stage of their yeshiva education and meet students who already have a bagrut diploma in their pocket. As a result of these two factors, the fact that they combine kodesh and chol in shiur daled, twelfth grade, enables them to learn with greater productivity when they reach yeshiva gevoha." The track of preparation for the bagrut exams is not mandatory, however this is the general framework and individual counsel is given to every student. "For some people a bagrut diploma is very important", explains Rav Ariel. On the other hand, today many chareidim are finding tracks of professional training which bypass the need for a bagrut diploma."

Kodesh and Chol

Despite the fact that their alumni leave their yeshivot with a relatively similar outlook and Torah knowledge, there are differences between the yeshivot regarding the place that they give general studies in high school, and perhaps in the world. The rabbanim at the yeshivot Toraniot rely on the words of the Ramban and Rambam, Rav Avraham Shapiro and others. General studies yes, but not now, they say. First of all a person must develop within the realm of kodesh, and only afterwards in the general world. "We are not afraid of the general world, as the Chareidi world is" explains Rav Matanya Ariel. "We realize that Israel can't be built only with Torah, however execution must take place stemming from a Torah perspective." If a student of Rav Ariel wants to read a math book Rav Ariel will explain that this is legitimate for the sake of expanding his understanding of the world, however his career should not be the motivation. "A fourteen year old boy should not be worrying about how he will feed his children. At this age he should be making sure that he develops into a person who will be a good father." Yonatan Billet, the educational director at Mekor Chaim, also does not like the intensive preoccupation with the bagrut exams, however his perspective is completely different. During the institution's first years general studies were taught, however not as a preparation for the bagrut exams. From the yeshiva's perspective the general studies are a very important stage of preparation towards the subjects of kodesh. "Rav Adin Steinzaltz, who is the president of the yeshiva, serves as an example for us in this matter. He sees the general studies as part of the Torah. He lectures on astrology in universities abroad and his general knowledge is vast. I am sad when I see my students investing so much energy towards the bagrut exams. These exams are shallow and constricted. You can just plow through the chemistry book and pass the exam. Therefore, we encourage the students to work on projects that will broaden their knowledge in the areas that they are studying." Bnei Zvi and Halichot offer a third approach. Rav Ahron Tropp sees the bagrut as a practical foundation for the student's future, because, "Not everyone who is completely immersed in Torah study at age 14-15 will be doing the same in the future." In addition, he sees general studies as a kind of a spice which adds flavor. Furthermore, the fact that the students spend some time on general studies leaves the next stage of

yeshiva gevoha as new and exciting. Another benefit of the bagrut exams is the fact that it trains the students to set goals and achieve them, a process which cultivates growth and maturity, adds Rav Tropp. Rav Mendolson says that general studies are an important tool in avodat Hashem, however he would be happier if the studies had greater relevance to the student's life. In any case, these rabbanim agree that it is better to give an hour or two of general studies every day to the students, as opposed to dividing twelfth grade between Torah studies and general studies. The debate between the yeshivot Toraniot and the yeshivot ktanot is not only a philosophical one, but rather a practical one as well. The rabbanim at the yeshivot Toraniot don't believe that a student can achieve high grades on the bagrut exam after he has been completely removed from math and English for three years. Some of them don't believe that the alumni of yeshivot ktanot come out any different than the alumni of yeshivot Toraniot. On the other hand the rabbanim at the yeshivot ktanot quote Rav Avraham Shapiro who asked the head of Yashlat"z when he was planning on turning Yashlat"z into a yeshiva ktana. Rav Matanya Ariel claims that every hour at the yeshivot ktanot that is spent in twelfth grade towards general studies is maximized beyond any level reached in the yeshivot tichoniot. He claims that the students studying for the bagrut in twelfth grade at yeshivot ktanot are much more disciplined, trained in independent study and committed to achieving their goal and therefore the time spent is used much more efficiently with the students treating the subject matter more seriously.

Yeshiva with a Family Atmosphere

A warm "heimish" atmosphere and individual attention are key concepts in all of the yeshivot Toraniot. The Roshei Yeshiva speak about a big brother relationship as opposed to the traditional teacher/student relationship which is based upon fear and discipline. In some of the yeshivot older students are part of the admittance process and they are members of certain committees in the school which set school policy. The Roshei Yeshiva insist on keeping the number of students down so that the staff maintains contact with all of the students. "Sometimes when a student seems to be down about something and one of the staff members approach the students he responds by saying, "Enough. The dorm counselor, my madrich, and my Rav already spoke to me" says Rav Mendolson. The largest school amongst the Yeshivot Toraniot is Yashlat"z. There are 80 students in each grade at Yashlat"z much to the chagrin of the Rosh Yeshiva who has a difficult time forming a personal relationship with the ninth graders. "It takes me until Chanukah to get to know all of them", says Rav Weiss. Other yeshivot as well are forced to take in more students than they care for ideally due to the great demand and financial strain which is placed on the shoulders of a small institution, however the growth takes place gradually and with care. At Yeshivat Bnei Zvi, for example, the possibility of opening up an additional ninth grade is being weighed however they promise that this will only take place when the yeshiva is sure that they know how to maintain the warm heimish atmosphere.

Membership in the "club" of yeshivot Toraniot is quite exclusive. Due to the small number of yeshivot Toraniot that exist and the small number of students in each yeshiva the yeshivot are able to be very selective in their acceptance. "We are looking for something uncommon which is hard to define", says Billit from Mekor Chaim, and in the Mekor Chaim fashion he continues to explain: "We are looking for yutzma"ch, in other words, somebody with yecholet tzrichat mekor chaim, ability to maximize life source. Somebody who does not posses self-discipline and spiritual intelligence will not find his place in our yeshiva." Other individuals that are part of the admissions process at Mekor Chaim tell us that in general a student with an average of less than 90 will not be accepted. The criteria for acceptance at this yeshiva are so unpredictable that the process may take months. The acceptance exams are impossible to prepare for since they may include telling a joke, saying something favorable about a friend, or submitting an art project. In other yeshivot Toraniot the acceptance process is a bit more traditional, however here too the process is no laughing matter. It includes tests in Gemara and secular studies, a number of interviews (in some cases with twelfth graders), and group dynamics. In most of these yeshivot the student's average is not less than 90. In defense of the acceptance policy of the yeshivot Toraniot we can say that the curriculum being studied is quite difficult. The intensive high level Gemara study may leave an average or weak student behind socially and educationally. In any case, however, the result is difficult. A certain percentage of the eighth grade graduates end up being sought after. An excellent student can be accepted to three different institutions while his friend is placed on a waiting list and will wait anxiously for a telephone call from the yeshiva to which he applied. Other students in the class who spent the last eight years with these few top students, and will meet up with them after high school, will become depressed from the entire process of tests and interviews for yeshivot Toraniot to which they don't even get accepted. All of the heads of the yeshivot Toraniot speak about the need to establish Torah frameworks that are suitable for the average students whose grades are in the seventies or eighties. "This is a very serious problem", says Rav Tropp. "Sometimes we have two brothers from the same family, where one is an excellent student and the other isn't, and he simply does not have an appropriate Torah framework. These are our children as well, children of the rabbanim and the ramim. The Roshei Yeshiva don't understand how it is that nobody has come forward with this initiative, and they say that to date when people tried to establish a school of this nature it very quickly turns into a school for very weak students. "I believe that whoever opens a school like this will fill it up very quickly," says Rav Tropp. "He will have tremendous enrollment and he will have much support from the Ministry of Education, more than we have today."

A Greenhouse for Torah Growth

Naturally, when young men who come from similar types of houses with high intellectual capabilities are brought together to an institution with a dormitory, a womblike greenhouse atmosphere is formed. Most of the yeshivot Toraniot advocate this type of education. In Mekor Chaim they try to integrate some students from the Chareidi sector and the head of Yashlat"z

says that with eighty students per grade there must be some variety, however the general conception is that a boy must develop within an atmosphere that will preserve him. "Reality shows us that a person who develops in a very clear, grounded, and intense fashion can go out into the world and stand tall," says Rav Tropp, Rosh Yeshiva at Bnei Zvi in Beit El. "Someone who in his youth drifts in every direction has no backbone. I believe that our students should have contact with the outside world. However during the earlier stages of education it is important for the students to be in a hothouse." The Yeshiva Toranit in Dimona, headed by Rav Yakov Doodi, has a bit of a different direction. This yeshiva, which classifies itself as Torani and society oriented (chevrati) as well, is located in the southern city of Dimona for a reason. Rav Yakov accepts residents of this underprivileged city as well and they make up 15% of the yeshiva's population. In addition, he accepts students whose average is "only" around 80. "This is not a simple task", he explains. "It is difficult to form a human puzzle made up of students who are very bright and capable along with others that are not on their level. In every class, which is made up on the average of thirty five students, we place two staff members for the two different levels." The yeshiva in Dimona places a strong emphasis on the society. Beyond that, it is Torani in every way: 18 hours a week of general studies and everything else, before and after, is kodesh. "The yeshiva stands on three legs", explains Rav Yakov, "The Torah aspect, the aspect of society, and the open atmosphere." Most of the alumni of the yeshivot Toraniot head towards yeshivot gevohot after high school where they continue their Torah studies. They grow into rabbanim or educators, Roshei Yeshiva or Torani ba'alei batim. These young seedlings who develop within these flowerbeds are educated with the awareness that their Torah is not their personal individual acquisition, but rather that they are messengers of the Master of the World and His Torah in this world. Even the student who will not find his place within the walls of the beit midrash in the future will leave the yeshiva only after his stomach has been filled with Torah, or maybe more importantly, his heart, thought, and world view have been formed from within the world of Torah. From amongst the alumni of these institutions one can find outstanding reporters, writers, and military personnel. Not all of them are intense religious personalities; however the vast majority only enters the outside world once they have been properly armed with the perspective of kodesh.

RESPONSE:

Mainly a Matter of Willpower

By Rav Ahron Tropp, Rosh Yeshivat Bnei Zvi, Beit El
B'Sheva Newsaper (Arutz Sheva) Nov. 11, 2006/18 Cheshvan 5766

The main requirement for success in Torani yeshiva high schools is not outstanding intellectual capabilities and grades, but rather the willingness

to work towards Torah study A response to last week's article on Torani yeshiva high schools
Last week's article ("Meulim B'Kodesh") regarding the rise of Torani yeshiva high schools in Israel has opened up a window to the quiet revolution taking place amongst some members of the national religious community who are striving to incorporate more kodesh within the community. The understanding that Torah is our primary concern and the majority of our energies should be directed towards that goal is a perspective that has been gaining momentum and is becoming the outlook of more and more parents and students. The advanced level of Torah study, the breadth of knowledge of hundreds of pages of Gemarah that are studied and reviewed, the positive atmosphere, the high level of spiritual commitment and aspirations of the students, are all very different from our high school memories. This phenomenon is, baruch Hashem, picking up momentum. To the best of my knowledge there are twelve such programs that exist today, high schools at which the vast majority of energy is directed towards Torah study. There is no doubt that the influence of these yeshivot is starting to become more apparent as we see graduates reaching their post high school yeshivot with a very high level of Torah knowledge, both in terms of breadth and depth, along with aspirations that are much higher than the norm of recent years. We see that our graduates have a strong backbone and are able to more successfully stand up to the secular world and its challenges. We see graduates who do not confuse worlds, whose religious direction is clear and the percentage of graduates leaving religious observance stands at almost zero. These boys will not, as Rav Egel Tal expressed, have any doubts as to what should be done when faced with a conflict between his commander and his Rav. However it seems to me that the main point was not emphasized properly, and that is that the common denominator between the yeshivot Toraniot is not genius or outstanding intellectual capabilities, but rather the willingness to work hard at Torah study. This willingness is found, in general, amongst children and teenagers who grew up in a home filled with love for Torah, homes in which the father serves as a role model in terms of setting aside time for Torah study, and doesn't just send his son to study Torah. An additional reason behind the willingness of these students to invest so much energy towards Torah study is, without a doubt, the fact that these children have grown up in an atmosphere of increased kedusha, without television, without unlimited internet access and without secular newspapers. While it is true that a certain level of intellectual capability is needed to maintain the scholastic expectations in these schools, the secondary headline of the article which stated that an average of ninety or above is needed to get accepted, does not do justice to the reality. Every thinking person understands that what enables a student to study Gemarah everyday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon (and afterwards continue to devote most of his time to limudei kodesh in addition to general studies) is not his intellectual capabilities, but rather his willpower. It is for this reason that the main criterion for acceptance to these yeshivot is yirat shamayim, love of Torah and willingness to work hard at Torah study.

However, it is true that a weak or average student will have a difficult time adjusting to the specific programs that exist right now. The high level of the classes may cause the weaker students to become frustrated. Students who continue to try to understand shiur without seeing success or the students who do not manage to advance as much as their peers during independent study time may lose their self confidence, develop low self esteem, become frustrated and depressed. The loss and damage here may end up being greater than the benefits. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish Torani yeshiva high school programs that will address the educational needs of this population, students who, very often, are coming from the same homes as their brothers who are already learning in yeshivot Toraniot. There is no doubt that whoever lifts the gauntlet and establishes a yeshiva of this nature will see high numbers of students registering. To date there is almost no appropriate framework for these children who may very well surpass their brothers in other areas.