Home News Media FAQ Inspiration Jewish CalendarIsrael Education Ministry Releases 2009 Homeschooling Guidelines
(April, 2009) The Israel Ministry of Education published in April 2009 revised guidelines regarding permits for homeschooling in Israel. The previous guidelines were published in April 2006. The new document is online in Hebrew at: http://cms.education.gov.il/educationcms/applications/mankal/etsmedorim/3/3-1/horaotkeva/k-2009-8a-3-1-37.htm
Israel Education Ministry Publishes New Homeschooling Guidelines
(June, 2006) The Israel Ministry of Education published in April 2006 revised guidelines regarding permits for homeschooling in Israel. The previous guidelines were published in October 2002. The new document is online in Hebrew at: http://www.education.gov.il/edun_doc/sf8ak3_1_26.htm
Letter to Education Ministry: Legalize Homeschooling
(November 30, 2005) This week the law firm Kabiri-Nevo-Keidar, representing dozens of homeschooling families from all over Israel, sent a letter to the Ministry of Education requesting the Ministry to recognize homeschooling as a fully legal form of education. This was done in the framework of our current strategy which is to work within the system and to cooperate with the Ministry. If this is not successful, we will be filing a petition in the Israeli High Court of Justice.
Addressed to Minister of Education Limor Livnat, the full text of the letter may be viewed here.
If you would like to support this endeavor, please contact Sasha Zinigrad at zinigrad at netvision dot net dot il.
Home Education in Israel Blossoming in 5763!
 Rosie, Tzvi and Eliezer |
April 1, 2003 was a gorgeous sunny day, and we learned to play Ultimate Frisbee with participants' ages ranging from three years old to "over 40."
Hebrew Homeschooling Book and Web Site
(April 2003) A comprehensive Hebrew web site about homeschooling in Israel has been launched by Beofen Tivi. From the link below, navigate to "Chinuch Beiti". The site includes a list of support groups throughout Israel. You will need a web browser that supports logical Hebrew encoding.
http://www.beofen-tv.co.il/cgi-bin/chiq.pl.
Beofen Tivi has also published a new book in Hebrew covering all aspects of homeschooling. To order, call 04-680-0933. 68 shekels plus 5 shekels shipping.
Unschooling going strong in 5762!
(November 2001) This last year was a huge success in the growth of Israeli home education, with many new families joining the ranks, regular meetings and activities in the Jerusalem area, and a large information day in Tel Aviv.
The twice-a-month Jerusalem Zoo group continues this year, with many families who are considering homeschooling taking the opportunity to come and meet the people who are doing it. We still meet on the first and third Tuesday of the calendar month at about 10:15 AM (sometimes people arrive later) until about 1:30 PM.
A lifetime-unschooling family made aliyah from Baltimore, adding a bunch of kids to the group, and immediately set about organizing various activities. Currently, there is a weekly ceramics/pottery group, and other groups such as woodworking, sewing and more are in the works. For more info, contact Dina Trachtman at 02-534-1721 or at dina@trachtman.com.
To stay informed about trips, classes and other activities, join the mailing list.
Unfortunately, the current Minister of Education is not interested in home education, so our recommendation for those planning to homeschool is to just do it without requesting permission. We will keep you informed if anything changes.
More events planned for 5761!
(August 2000) Sara-Rivka Ernstoff is coordinating a bi-monthly zoo trip at the Jerusalem Zoo beginning this fall. While younger kids play with their parent(s) in the playground/petting zoo, the older kids will have a hands-on workshop with the zoo staff, and learn how to care for the animals. To learn more about this and other activities, join the mailing list.
Support group forming in Shomron area
(June 2000) Yana and Alexander Zinigrad are starting a support group in the Shomron/Ariel area. Contact them at: 053-425-172 or fcw@netvision.net.il .
Israel Homeschooling Mailing List
(March 2000) A mailing list has been created to facilitate coordination of events among Israel Homeschoolers. To join, sign up at: groups.yahoo.com/community/israelhomeschool.
Picnic, Zoo Trip
(February 2000) Recent homeschooling events in the Jerusalem area included another successful picnic in Efrat, and a trip to the Jerusalem Zoo.
Picnic in Efrat
(Oct. 6, 1999) The 3rd annual Home Educators Picnic in Efrat's Omega park on October 5, 1999 (formerly the "Not-Back-To-School" Picnic) was attended by ten families, as well as by magazine and television reporters.
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The television crew was a big distraction, and most future events will not be open to the media. The kids handled the television interviews very well, as did their parents.
Kobi Ernstoff, age 13, who attends yeshiva in Jerusalem for Torah studies only, told the television reporter, "I'm the only kid in my school who hasn't been sent to the principal. Why don't I act up? Because I'm not forced to be there. I can leave whenever I want."
Everyone expressed a desire to get together more often, and planning is already underway for some upcoming events.
Several families who heard about the picnic but could not attend, made contact to express their support and to find out about future events.
Jerusalem Report Article about Homeschooling in Israel
March 2005
Click to view article. (English)
Jerusalem Post Article about Homeschooling in Israel
August 29, 2004 - The Kainan, Ernstoff and Kasher families were featured in an in-depth article.Click to view on-line at jpost.com. (English)
Hebrew Article about Israel Homeschool Families
August 15, 2003 - Our own Zinigrad family was featured in a new positive article about Homeschooling in Israel. Click to view on-line at Makor Rishon. (Hebrew only.)
Haaretz Article Reprinted Here
Haaretz Magazine 1999 homeschooling article
Organized Activities
(April 2003) The Jerusalem group has several regularly scheduled activities, including ceramics, outdoor survival, and more. Contact Dina Trachtman at 02-534-1721 for the latest details.