One simply has to look at the numbers and one realizes the demographic realities of Yerushalayim, as dati leumi and secular schools are emptying as the chareidim are choking for space.

According to the official numbers, in the 5777 school year in the capital, 25,144 kindergarten age children are chareidi, 17,055 from the Arab sector and 13,104 are secular and dati leumi.

In 2011 for comparison sake, there were 16,522 kindergarten age children from the chareidi sector and 9,063 from the secular and dati leumi. Another impressive figure is that 77% of the children entering first grade in the 5777 school year are from the chareidi and Arab sectors while only 23% are from the secular and dati leumi communities. This is the official number from City Hall and it does not include non-registered kindergartens.

For example, in the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood there remains a single non-chareidi kindergarten while there are 58 kindergartens operating in that neighborhood in the chareidi sector, of which 11 were added in the past five years.

The dati leumi community has decreased in size too and is in the midst of a battle to save its last two facilities. Parents of the Oshra dati leumi kindergarten finally managed to amass a list of 23 children to keep it operating. Councilman Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz, who is deputy chair in the city responsible for the education portfolio states “Even if there is a professionally correct decision, the reality is a different one in the eyes of the pluralistic minority in the community, and the reality being created is that ultimately the remaining members of this community will leave the neighborhood as well”. Leibowitz himself is affiliated with the dati leumi community.

Rechavia:

The secular education system is fighting for survival too as there are four chareidi kindergartens while there are two secular ones and one for the dati leumi community. What might present a clearer picture of the trend is that in Rechavia, the chareidi community has doubled the number of kindergartens since 2011 while the others have diminished drastically.

For example, regarding the secular kindergarten on Arlozoroff Street, a dati leumi facility will be replacing it in the coming year. Dr. Sharon Russo represents those parents, and she explains they are working to make sure they can still get a proper education for their children within the community.

Some of the parents of secular families have turned to City Hall in their battle to keep the facilities in the area operating but it is becoming increasingly apparent to them they are fighting a losing battle.

N’vei Yaakov:

If we look at the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of N’vei Yaakov, there are 82 chareidi kindergartens, reflecting the demographic change that took place during the last decade. In 2011 there were only 53 kindergartens in the chareidi community. On the other hand, while there were 5 kindergartens for the secular community in 2011, there are now only 3 remaining alongside 6 for the dati leumi community.

The last secular public school in the community closed its doors four years ago and a tenacious battle was launched to save the dati leumi Bernadette School, hoping to prevent it from being handed over to chareidim.

French Hill:

The dati leumi community if gaining ground in this neighborhood. The number of dati leumi kindergartens have increase from six in 2011 to eight at present. Regarding the dati leumi community, it has increased from none in 2011 to two at present.

Tensions are rising in this community regarding the operation of chareidi kindergartens in apartment buildings and cross-complaints have been filed with city officials.

Givat Mordechai:

Givat Mordechai for many years has been a Jerusalem symbol of dual existence between dati leumi and secular residents, alongside a marginal chareidi presence.

Today however only one secular kindergarten remains, on Chaim Heller Street, serving 25 children. In addition, there are 11 dati leumi kindergartens in the community for 318 children. (some of these children are from secular homes but their parents prefer to send the children to dati leumi kindergartens). The chareidim have six kindergartens for 182 children, and a battle is ongoing for land and buildings for the growing chareidi tzibur.

The city has allocated a plot for four new kindergartens and the chareidi representatives in the community are trying to receive control over the entire complex. The city has however registered children from all sectors to the new complex.

Kiryat Yovel:

This community has become symbolic of the battle between the city’s growing chareidi community and the secular and dati leumi communities who are fighting this change. Today, there are 27 kindergartens. What is saving the secular facilities is the fact they are serving 6-7 special needs children in each facility.

According to the city, there are 515 children in secular kindergartens alongside five dati leumi facilities serving 137 children and 16 chareidi kindergartens serving 173 children. The area’s minhelet (local government) continues fighting to shut the unregistered chareidi kindergartens down, some operating in apartments.

Ramot:

This area too was by and large a mixture of dati leumi and secular residents but the demographic change is apparent. Five years ago there were six secular kindergartens and today, only four remain. In the chareidi community on the other hand, the number has risen from 118 in 2011 to 155 today.

Regarding the dati leumi community, there are currently 10 kindergartens as compared to 11 in 2011.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)