Pittsburgh’s Yeshiva Schools to Open 2 Dormitories for Girls

By COLlive reporter

High School is a time of growth and development, where students meet and make lifetime friends, and learn who they are as individuals, and as students. Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania has played a major role in this process for close to three generations.

Now, Yeshiva is taking a new step forward in announcing plans to open two new girls’ dormitories in the fall of 2021.

“Yeshiva has earned a reputation for enabling girls to grow and acquire the wisdom, understand and knowledge that characterizes a Bas Chabad,” said Girls High School Principal Mrs. Batsheva Deren, emphasizing the support that a supervised dorm can play in the girls’ overall development. “Our new dormitories will further enhance that by providing a wholesome, caring and supportive environment that will nurture the next generation of Bnos Yisroel.”

Previously, high school girls at Yeshiva lived with host families. While this arrangement had numerous advantages, it also made it more challenging for the girls to bond and feel a sense of comradery.

According to Yeshiva Schools CEO, Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum, the decision to open dormitories represents a natural next step in the school’s expansion and is enthusiastically supported by parents and members of the board of directors of the school.

“We want to provide a safe and inclusive home-away-from-home; a home where girls could feel comfortable sharing their diverse backgrounds and experiences. It is our hope that this will lead to life-long friendships and a strong commitment to Yiddishkeit in general, and the instructions of our Rebbeim in particular,” said Rabbi Rosenblum.

The Yeshiva Schools dorm features shared bedrooms as well as living and dining space. To ensure that the dorms operate in a safe and supervised manner, two post-seminary Shluchos and two post-seminary Dorm Counselors will live with the girls. A Dorm mother will also be involved to provide loving support.

The High School girls will still enjoy Shabbos meals with local families in Pittsburgh. On weekdays, they will have a complete meal plan that will take into account special dietary needs.

The Yeshiva will also arrange for Shabbatons and Sunday activities that will reinforce Chassidishe attitudes and actions.

Space is limited and the dormitories are expected to fill quickly. To begin the registration process, parents are encouraged to contact Student Affairs Administrator Mrs. Ashirah King: [email protected]