28. Charedi Perspectives on Education and Parenting with Rabbi Menachem Bombach

Rabbi Menachem Bombach went from being raised in Meah Shearim, in a completely Charedi world, to starting the first Charedi school with secular studies. What inspired Rabbi Bombach to do that? What drove him to want this? The first half of this episode, we will learn the answers to these questions, and hear a tremendous amount of educational wisdom from Rabbi Bombach. In the second half, we discuss how Rabbi Bombach parented, especially when dealing with one of his children going off the derech (as he wrote about in Times of Israel), and how that affected his other children.

Rabbi Bombach's article in Times of Israel can be found here: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/thou-shalt-love-your-child-who-leaves-religion/

Rabbi Menachem Bombach is a community leader and educational entrepreneur in the Haredi community. He heads the 'Netzach' Haredi educational network, which he founded, and which combines religious and secular studies, and aims to educate students to become observant, Torah-loving Jews who are also prepared for practical life. He also heads the Hasidic girls’ seminary affiliated with the network. Menachem has served as principal of the award-winning 'Le’Zion Be’Rinah' high school; founded the preparatory program for Haredi students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and directed the youth department of the Beitar Illit local authority. Menachem studied at the Vizhnitz “Ahavat Yisrael” yeshiva and at the Mir yeshiva, and holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Moreshet Yaakov College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Hebrew University. He lectures in Israel and abroad on education and society.