“Powerful.” “Unforgettable.” “Inspiring.” “Home Away from Home.” “Life-Changing.” These are just a few of the words Eshel graduates use to describe their experience. This past June, 40 young women from across the community and around the world completed an extraordinary year of growth—living, learning, and discovering just steps from the Kotel. As Joyce Zeitounie of Flatbush High School put it, “This year at Midreshet Eshel I learned how much life and this world has to offer. Opportunities and new starts are endless—and never forget the beauty of the journey itself!”
Mrs. Ilana Alouf has helped build the Midrasha since its inception 16 years ago. As both a therapist and a teacher of popular courses such as Group Dynamics and Growth Through Art, Mrs. Alouf observes: “During this critical developmental stage when students are forming their identity, the Midrasha helps them grow into mature, healthy individuals—as they develop deep connections to Torat Yisrael, Am Yisrael, and Eres Yisrael.”
The environment at Midreshet Eshel encourages students to develop themselves spiritually and personally. “They become confident, self-assured, and deeply connected to who they are—all while developing a real, loving relationship with Hashem,” says Alicia Dweck, a former student who now serves as a teacher and Student Activities Coordinator. Yola Matalon of Flatbush High School enthused: “At Eshel I felt I received the support, guidance, and confidence I needed to introspect and establish the compass of my life.”
One of the key components of the program at Eshel is chesed, which takes place once a week through volunteering with various organizations such as Shalva, OneFamily, and Friendship Circle. This year, the Midrasha’s chesed projects also included visiting wounded soldiers in hospitals and helping wives whose husbands had been called to serve in the army. “Eshel gave me the tools I needed to be able to look outside of myself and notice others in need,” said Danielle Kraeim of Flatbush High School. “The more I gave, the more I wanted to keep giving.”
Students come from community schools such as Flatbush, Magen David, Hillel, and Ilan, as well as from cities across the globe—Los Angeles, Seattle, Florida, Boston, Montreal, London, Gibraltar, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and Panama. Vicky Antebi was part of a group of ten students who came from Panama to study at Eshel.“My experience at Midreshet Eshel was truly life-changing. The classes were inspiring and full of depth, and the location couldn’t have been better—being just minutes from the Kotel allowed me to connect spiritually every single day. It was an unforgettable journey that shaped who I am, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.” “The year is filled with such a beautiful variety of students who have come together to learn more about their heritage and history,” explains Dr. Hilla Aboody, teacher and em bayit. In particular, following the devastation of October 7th, “being part of the Jewish people’s rebuilding from tragedy gave the year an extra depth and meaning for the students.”
Dynamic courses in Limudei Kodesh and personal development are taught by a talented and dedicated staff of rabbis and teachers at both advanced and regular levels. Younger educators from the community—including Victoria Chabot Berman, Alicia Matsas Dweck, and Merle Cohen Idy—have joined veteran staff members such as Rabbanit Ilana Alouf, Rabbi Haim Levy, and Dr. Hilla Aboody. “The professionalism of our staff is matched by their passion and commitment to give each student what she needs to develop her true potential,” observes Miriam Tawil, Founder and Director. “We are blessed to work together as a team truly unified in vision and driven to great achievements.”
This coming year, expansion is underway as Midreshet Eshel is expecting an even larger group of 57 students in September. A women’s trip is also in the works, offering mothers and grandmothers the opportunity to experience some of the magic that is Eshel.
As the campus grows to welcome more students, opportunities remain for both internal and external dedications. For more information, please contact: office@midresheteshel.org
