Talmud Torah Magen Avot


Talmud Torah Magen Avot

Primary School for Jewish Studies

“I’ve taught here for over 30 years and the sound of these children learning and singing birkat hamazon everyday is still like Gan Eden to me.” ~Rebbe Mordechai, Magen Avot

Talmud Torah Magen Avot was founded on the vision to restore Jewish children to the alleyways and streets of the Old City of Tsfat, where so many holy tzaddikim left their redemptive imprint. According to the Talmud, the survival of the entire world rests upon the pure breath of small schoolchildren learning Torah (tinokot shel beit rabban). Their learning is considered so critical that classes are not to be interrupted even for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem (Shabbat 119b). The pedagogical approach of the school is the link in an unbroken chain of classic Jewish education from the beginning of our history. It is vital that this style of education is safeguarded and preserved, particularly in an atmosphere like the holy city of Tsfat. The school serves over 400 students aged 3-13 with a significant segment coming from orphaned or broken homes. Despite their extremely diverse backgrounds, the children are mainstreamed within a supportive and positive atmosphere. A fundamental component of the school’s direction is strong emphasis on derech eretz and character development to instill the personal refinement integral to a genuine Torah education.


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