Oustanding Students

Machon Lev - Machon Tal

Gilad Fisher - Gilad Fisher, is a 25 year old, third year student in the field of Technology Management and Marketing at Machon Lev. He hails from Bnei Brak, but currently resides in the Givat Mordechai neighborhood from Jerusalem with his wife and child. He previously attended a Hesder Yeshiva program at Yeshivat Hakotel.

When asked why he chose to pursue his studies specifically at Machon Lev, he answers enthusiastically that the emphasis on combining science with Torah studies and the focus on character development, make this the ideal setting for him. "One must learn how to function in the working world with a solid basis of ethics and Torah values", he explains, adding that Machon Lev's all-male environment is a positive factor and enables him to concentrate better on his studies. Mr. Fisher also enjoys a close relationship with one of the Rabbis at Machon Lev with whom he consults on various issues. He was overwhelmed, at first, by the demanding schedule of both Torah and Science studies and the potential impact of such intensive curricula on his new marriage. However, he has learned to cope and things have worked out well. Currently he's taking a course on business entrepreneurship, a project sponsored at JCT by Soda Club Ltd. He is particularly interested in the Marketing aspect of his career and explains that a new product is only as good as its marketing.

The long hours of study at Machon Lev does not leave him, and his fellow students time to earn a living. Like many others at the college he was awarded a scholarship by JCT. He is grateful for the financial aid – it allows him to cope with the economic stress of a young family in Israel today, while allowing him to focus on his studies with greater peace of mind.

Miriam Fredkin - Miriam Fredkin, a confident looking, well spoken young lady of 21 is in her fourth year of studies at Machon Tal, JCT's Engineering School for Women. She lives with her parents and three siblings in Rechovot. Her mother is a homemaker and her father teaches Judaic studies to new immigrants. An older brother is a yeshiva student and travels abroad frequently to educate people on topics of Jewish interest. One of her sister's is studies teaching, while the other is in High School. Miriam is studying Computer Science with a focus on Management and Industry.  She has been interested in computers since high school where she received preparatory background. "Hi-tech is the future. It's in the atmosphere, in the street, it's very appealing!" says Miriam. 

She chose Machon Tal because of its appropriate atmosphere for a young, religious woman, where she could benefit from Judaic studies and receive an academic degree at the same time, while enjoying a productive, personal relationship with the staff of JCT.

Miriam hopes that the field of technology she has chosen will eventually allow her to work flexible hours, possibly from home, since she looks forward to being married and having children. “I believe it is possible to combine a successful career with marriage and motherhood", says Miriam.

It has not all been smooth sailing for Miriam, however, as she describes a breakdown in her confidence after approximately two years of studies. "I asked myself why I decided to go into the field of computers. The studies during those first two years were very general and detailed and I had second thoughts about my interest in this field. We would sometimes spend up to fourteen hours straight in front of a computer and took classes on difficult algorithms and other highly technical subjects. A lot of my friends experienced similar doubts, but things improved in the third year. The classes became more specific and focused and I began to see how I could use the information I learned for a practical end."

During the course of her studies, Miriam attended a special program on Communications, offered by CISCO Systems at Machon Tal. She feels this experience was very worthwhile, and even goes on to say that it provided a basis for all her other studies. She worked as a systems manager at Machon Tal on a part-time basis, using the skills she acquired from the CISCO course.  

When asked about plans for the future, Miriam mentions that she is currently working on her final project in systems development, a field that in has she developed a keen interest in and would like to to pursue in the future.  This final project is being done for a big corporation, Ness Technologies on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism. They have offered her a permanent position, which she is considering, upon successful completion of her studies at JCT.

Miriam's mother always advised her that a person needs three things to succeed in life: a driver's license, a high level of English and computer knowledge. Miriam acknowledges with quiet satisfaction that she has acquired all three. All in all she seems a capable, articulate and motivated young woman with a bright future ahead.