About Us
In 1991, with the deterioration of communism in the Former Soviet Union, hundreds of thousands of Jews streamed through the Iron Curtain, ignorant of their Jewish heritage. Russian Jews would require extensive support to integrate into Israeli society.
Many realized their dreams of religious freedom and chose to re-establish their lives in Israel. What they didn't know, however, was that they were potentially headed for cultural and religious oblivion in the Jewish state. Israel's education systems were not prepared to handle the influx of highly educated immigrant children lacking the most basic Jewish education.
Many realized their dreams of religious freedom and chose to re-establish their lives in Israel. What they didn't know, however, was that they were potentially headed for cultural and religious oblivion in the Jewish state. Israel's education systems were not prepared to handle the influx of highly educated immigrant children lacking the most basic Jewish education.
The late great visionary Rabbi Avraham Pam zt"l had the foresight to realize that, after over seventy years of virtually no Jewish life, Russian Jews would require tremendous support to integrate in their new Jewish homeland. His dream was to create a framework of schools throughout Israel for Russian immigrant children, to return them to the heritage that had been denied to their parents and grandparents. At the same time, Shuvu schools would provide them with the outstanding secular education they were accustomed to in Russia.
The Shuvu 'Return' revolution
began with a few classes housed in temporary caravan trailers,
but slowly
an entire network of kindergartens, elementary schoolsand high schools was established throughout Israel.
The Shuvu 'Return' revolution began with a few classes housed in temporary caravan trailers, but slowly an entire network of kindergartens, elementary schools and high schools was established throughout Israel. Leading educators were hired to develop Shuvu's special high-level curriculum and teacher training program, and school premises were found. From the beginning, the Shuvu network extended beyond the classroom, providing Jewish enrichment programs, adult education classes for parents, emergency and welfare support, and summer camps.
In recent years, building on the success of the Shuvu schools with immigrant children, Shuvu schools have also evolved to embrace native Israeli and immigrant children from America, England, France and other countries, registering increasing numbers of students from diverse backgrounds every year. These children's parents as well requested that they benefit from the unique education provided by Shuvu. A survey by the Israeli "Rafi Smith" company shows clearly that a majority of secular parents in Israel would be interested in a Shuvu school for their children, if only one would open in their area. The demand is great! Today, the Shuvu network includes 77 schools plus affiliates with over 6,000 students, and together with family members, touches the lives of over 15,000 individuals annually.
15000
STUDENTS & FAMILY members reached annually
1000
employees
77
SHUVU SCHOOLS, PRESCHOOLS, AFFILIATE SCHOOLS & AFTER- SCHOOL PROGRAMS
15
summer camp locations