The Success Story of the Netzach Medical Preparatory Program
At a time when the gaps between different groups in Israeli society seem to be widening, a different kind of movement has emerged – one that connects, bridges, and weaves threads between worlds. The Netzach Medical Preparatory Program is one such movement, a rare fusion of deep Haredi values with top-tier medical professionalism.
Not far from their bustling classrooms, one quiet evening, I met the students of the program. We spoke about their studies, their lives, and their dreams. I saw their tension before a major examination, and the sparkle in their eyes when they passed. These are not just anonymous statistics, but real people – some of the finest members of the Haredi community, men and women of spirit and action, who blend moral depth with sharp intellect, and a sense of mission that infuses every step they take.
The Netzach program, now in its third year, is run in partnership with the Jerusalem College of Technology, the Joint Distribution Committee, and Israel’s Ministry of Health. . From its most recent cohort, eleven Haredi men and women were already accepted into medical school, with another three awaiting letters of acceptance. Their success reflects their studious perseverance, and Netzach’s commitment to breaking through the barriers into one of Israel’s most highly selective professions.
The need is both clear and urgent: in Israel, there is currently only one doctor for every 300 citizens. The ongoing phenomenon of young doctors leaving the country is compounding the problem. In response, Netzach and its partners are working to integrate Haredi students – men and women – into Israel’s healthcare and medical research systems. This is not only a manpower solution, but also creates a human bridge between Israel’s diverse communities and cultures.
This program was the vision of Professor Yonatan Halevy, Chairman of the Netzach Educational Network and former President of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, who led the team that made it possible. In just a few short years, these young men and women will start working in Israel’s top hospitals, wearing their white coats with pride, along with their traditional Haredi head-coverings. Alongside their medical expertise, they will bring to Israel’s medical system a rare combination of professionalism, Haredi values, and humanitarian warmth – dedicated to treating body and soul, and healing individuals and society.