Bruriah High School takes pride in its robust Israel Guidance Program. Bruriah graduates attend a wide array of preeminent seminaries, and the Israel Guidance team works hard to ensure that every student is supported throughout the process. Students heard a variety of presentations made by seminary principals visiting Bruriah from Israel to give them a sense of what each seminary was like, and students also met with faculty to narrow down their choices.

Yael Kaisman, Bruriah’s School mechaneches and Israel guidance counselor, stresses to the students the importance of viewing the process of seminary selection holistically. “We want the girls to be honest with themselves and really think about their desires in life. This isn’t just about choosing a seminary, but it is a process of self-knowledge and self-discovery.” Kaisman also emphasizes to the students that this decision, while widely discussed with others, is ultimately a personal one; their decision should never be based on what the “in” school is or where their friends might be going, but rather where they will be able to grow and develop into the individuals they aspire to become.

In conjunction with helping students narrow down their seminary options, the Israel Guidance team runs several workshops throughout the year to help students improve their interviewing skills. Earlier this month, students were given the dos and don’ts of interviewing with College Guidance Counselor Moshe Korbman, where he demonstrated positive and negative responses to interview questions, along with appropriate decorum that should accompany every interview. The Israel Guidance team also compiled a selection of popular seminary interview questions so that students can practice at home.

Students were given the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a Bruriah faculty member to participate in sample interviews. Senior Shoshy Zahtz shared, “The teachers and guidance counselors gave me a sense of confidence and excitement in selecting the best seminaries for me to apply to, and the mock interviews provided me with the tools I needed to feel comfortable going into my real interviews.” Principal Dr. Bethany Strulowitz added, “Selecting the right seminary in Israel is one of the biggest decisions our students will make, and we are here to support them every step of the way through the process of self-discovery.”