faq

First, we no longer define ourselves as specifically catering to the Russian immigrants. Although over half of our students remain from Russian families, many native Israelis joined the network over the years after seeing the educational benefits provided, as well as many immigrants from other countries including the United States, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Mexico, and France.

Second, although Russian Aliya is down, the needs of the Russian community are still there. The Russian culture and mentality is strongly passed on from generation to generation and thus many second-generation Russian families still consider themselves as Russian as their parents, and their needs unfortunately remain strong. Many are below the poverty line and cannot afford basic medical care. To send their children to summer camps seems like just a dream. Besides offering a very high level of education to the underprivileged children, we also incorporate Jewish identity into their lives.

The founder of Shuvu, Rav Avraham Pam zt"l did indeed envision the network to be for Russian immigrant children. At the same time, his mantra was always never to say "no" to any child seeking a Jewish education. When Israeli families too began banging on our doors, we simply couldn't turn them down! We can't say "no"! Thus we are not taking away from the original Shuvu mission but rather are experiencing a natural extension of it. As per the ever-increasing registration, we are constantly opening additional classrooms, grades and sometimes of course, entirely new schools.

Indeed every school receives funding from the Ministry of Education, and Shuvu schools do as well. However, while Shuvu's annual budget is roughly $23 million only $13,000,000 comes from the government. After tuition and other sources of income, Shuvu is left having to raise $6,000,000 annually, or $500,000 each and every month. The reason our financial needs are greater than other schools is simply due to the additional benefits we offer. Firstly, unlike the classic schools that end at 1:00, Shuvu operates until 3:30 giving more hours of education and at the same time preventing the unprivileged students from roaming the streets. Second, our students receive a hot lunch everyday – often their only hot and nutritious meal of the day. Third, unlike other schools that cater to the geographically close students, Shuvu students come from considerable distances as well, requiring us to arrange transportation for them. It is important to note also that Shuvu classes are kept considerably smaller than those in other schools. All studies show how crucial small classes are in order to maximize the educational experience. This however, carries the major financial burden of having to hire additional teachers.

The overwhelming majority of Shuvu students are from low socio economic level families. Many are single parents. Many are unemployed. Parents pay a minimal tuition towards the extra programs but due to their financial distress Shuvu cannot charge tuition rates that would cover all expenses.

Shuvu's mathematics and science programs are amoung the highest levels in the country. The technical and science high school programs are specifically designed to assist the students to succeed in these fields so as to secure a most productive and lucrative position in the highly expanding computer and technology industry. Shuvu also provides courses in cyber and financial education, and special math and science excellence programs including "Mofet" and "Excellence 2000". Thus, the children benefit from both quantity and quality. Shuvu has won prestigious national awards including the Ministry of Education's "Agrest" award of excellence. In both 2018 and 2019 several Shuvu schools excelled in a national cyber-mathematics contest, and in the recent competition which took place in February 2019, Shuvu Natzrat Illit took 1st place (out of over 1,500 schools!), with 2 other Shuvu schools reaching the top 10!

Shuvu is far from being just an educational system. We invest a substantial amount annually towards helping underprivileged children and their families acclimate to Israeli society academically, culturally, socially and economically. Thus besides the school network, we also offer Chessed programs, social services, hot lunch program, after school programs, summer camps, seminars and outreach.

Let us answer this one with a true story. A teacher in the Jerusalem Shuvu school was recently involved in a conversation with a Russian taxi driver. When the teacher mentioned that he worked for Shuvu, tears of emotion filled the driver's eyes. He went on to state that he himself has a son in Shuvu. Daily while driving by different neighborhoods he notices the youth "hanging out", using foul language and acting violently. He commented how clear it is to him that his son would have turned out like these boys had it not been for Shuvu.

Shuvu students fit into every respectable path of Israeli society. Many turn to the fine universities in Israel and pursue academic careers, including medicine, engineering and hi-tech. Many wish to continue in a Torah environment. Quite a few actually combine these two worlds by studying at the prestigious "Machon Lev" college in Jerusalem.

From impoverished homes with no Jewish identity at all, our graduates build proud families based on Jewish values, and after receiving a top notch education, have the academic doors open before them.

Absolutely. Some do so straight away after completing 12th grade while others combine their military service with university or Yeshiva studies. Some defer their service to learn in the finest Yeshivas.