Migdal Oz (seminary)

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The Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women, more commonly known as Migdal Oz (Hebrew: מדרשת מגדל עוז‎), which is the name of the kibbutz in which it is located, is a midrasha, or Orthodox Jewish institution of higher Torah study for women, located in Gush Etzion, Israel. It is the sister school of Yeshivat Har Etzion, and shares its general philosophy, leadership, and much of its faculty.

Migdal Oz is led by Esti Rosenberg, who assumes the title of Rosh Beit Midrash (literally "Head of the Beit midrash"). Rosenberg's father, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, and Rabbi Yehuda Amital are considered sources of rabbinic guidance for Migdal Oz, and often make decisions on the school's religious policies.

[edit] History

Migdal Oz was established in 1997 by Yeshivat Har Etzion. At the time, the Beit Midrash was located in a trailer, which now serves as the kibbutz's sewing room. The impressive edifice overlooking the Gush Etzion region which now houses the Beit Midrash, classrooms, and a dining hall was completed in 2003. The program was originally intended for Israeli girls who had just graduated from high school and had not yet done Sherut Leumi (National service) or service in the Israel Defense Forces. Since then, it has expanded to include girls who have already completed service, as well as girls from outside of Israel. Many girls continue studying at Migdal Oz for two or three years, often participating at the same time in the Teacher's Training Program in conjunction with Herzog College.