Jewish nonprofit launches Merhavia to keep girls in state-religious schools
The program targets 25 to 30 at-risk students per school with screening, small-group therapy, and parent support, with a November 15 application deadline.
By Robert Marshall ·
The Israeli Social Platform has opened applications for Merhavia, a school-based initiative designed to stop girls from leaving state-religious schools before they formally drop out. The nonprofit states the program aims to prevent these students from joining hilltop youth communities.
The organization describes the target students as invisible girls, a term for those whose difficulties go unnoticed while their connection to school weakens. The written call published on November 2 defines the scope to include both actual dropout and hidden dropout, which involves emotional, social, or academic disengagement.
Merhavia operates as a partnership with the Education Ministry within girls' schools in the state-religious system, known as ulpanot. Participating institutions will use a dedicated screening tool to assess all students. Teachers and administrators will receive training to identify at-risk girls and support their continued place in the school community.
The program plans to identify approximately 25 to 30 girls for targeted assistance in each participating school. These students will join small groups of six to 10 peers for 12 to 16 sessions. Activities may include therapeutic art, photography-based work, dog training, and social skills development. The interventions address anxiety, substance use, violence, and social exclusion.
Support extends to families through up to 10 individual guidance sessions for parents. Parent support groups will be established where families are willing to participate. Schools may also refer girls to individual treatment or community activities. Each participating school must appoint a coordinator and establish an internal steering committee involving the principal and counselor.
Applications are open to schools serving grades seven through 12 or nine through 12 that have at least two classes per grade and a diverse student population. The deadline to apply is November 15. Selected schools will be notified by November 24, with agreements and implementation scheduled to begin by December 8. The Israeli Social Platform, led by CEO Shaltiel Sebban, works with government bodies and philanthropic partners on education and social support programs.
