Chinuch

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Streams & Educational Networks

There are several frameworks within which Chareidi educational institutions operate.

Boys

Preschool

The last year before first grade is commonly called mechinah [preparatory program], as it prepares the children for cheider (not to be confused with mechinah for yeshivah ketanah).

Cheider

Chareidi elementary schools for boys are referred to as Talmud Torah (the more formal usage, usually part of the title) or cheider. They include first through eighth grades. Most chadorim also maintain a preschool for the two or three preceding grade levels.

Eighth grade is sometimes referred to as mechinah [preparatory program], as it prepares the talmidim for yeshivah ketanah, and in many cases has an entirely different schedule than the rest of the school.

Mechinah

There is an optional stand-alone year-long program, usually not connected to any specific school, for preparing children for yeshivah ketanah. While most talmidim advance directly from cheider to yeshivah ketanah, there are many who opt for a year of mechinah, either instead of or following eighth grade.

Yeshivah Ketanah

Chareidi boys high school is called yeshivah ketanah (what in America is sometimes called mesivta, which is not used here). It is a three year program, with each year called a "shiur," named shiur aleph, shiur beis, and shiur gimmel respectively, corresponding to ninth through eleventh grades. The day in yeshivah ketanah begins from around 7-7.30 in the morning with shacharis which may be followed sometimes with a sichah from the rosh yeshiva or mashgiach, followed by breakfast, seder and a shiur, lunch, mincha (may be later), a break, second seder (usually bekius), supper. maariv, and third seder. The day ends at around 9.30 p.m. Unlike in chutz la'aretz the bochurim only learn limmudei kodesh, there are no secular studies. It has become less common for boys to dorm at yeshivah ketanah age, but some do, and so most attend yeshiva ketanah in their own city. On Friday there is generally only a morning seder. The number of "in Shabboses" varies among the yeshivos. Some may have 3 Shabboses a month in the yeshiva, others 1 or 2, and some may send the boys home most weeks with only occasional Shabboses in the yeshiva.

In most cases it is not a natural continuation of any specific cheider. It is generally considered the job of the cheider, and specifically the eighth-grade rebbi, to direct and help with placement of their talmidim in yeshivos ketanos.

Yeshivah Gedolah

Israeli yeshivos gedolos have a unique culture very different from the American counterpart.