Ulpanat Tayla
Established in 1971 in the Givat Mordechai neighborhood of Jerusalem with the generous support of the Jesselson family, Ulpanat Talya (formerly Midreshat Amalia) is a unique and innovative national-religious high school and boarding complex for 300 gifted and excelling orthodox girls in grades 9-12. 90 of the girls from around Israel board in the school’s residence while the others are day students living in the greater Jerusalem area.
With Israel’s high poverty rate and the gender bias women face in the Israeli job market, girls from economically disadvantaged families face a double hurdle in breaking the cycle of poverty. Ulpanat Talya aims to break this cycle by offering academically gifted girls from low-income families the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s degree in computer science by the age of 19.
After an intensive five-year study track, augmented with extensive emotional support and guidance, Ulpanat Talya enables students to attain a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Sciences degree from Machon Tal College while studying in high school through 13th year.
Graduates of Talya are ready to enter the workforce. These gifted young women are able to fulfill their potential, support themselves and their families, and become self-assured, contributing members of society. Over 80% of the graduates go on to universities and institutions of higher Jewish learning, and the others go to the IDF or complete national service.
The school was initially funded by New York metals trader and renowned supporter of Jewish community causes Ludwig Jesselson, and was named after his mother, Amalie.
Support Ulpanat Tayla.