OUR STORY
ONE FAMILY
FIFTEEN?
The thought of sending their daughters away from home at this tender age filled a group of parents with dismay.
The girls had finished their compulsory Swiss schooling, and a typical Bais Yaakov girl 20+ years ago traveled abroad to continue her education.
The parents were in a quandary.
But not for long.
This small group of pioneers opened a school, aptly naming it Machon Chen, Chen being the acronym for chachmos nashim, “the wisest among women,” from the famous pasuk in Mishlei (14:1): “The wisest among women – each builds her home.”
ONE FAMILY
One heart
FIFTEEN?
The thought of sending their daughters away from home at this tender age filled a group of parents with dismay.
The girls had finished their compulsory Swiss schooling, and a typical Bais Yaakov girl 20+ years ago traveled abroad to continue her education.
The parents were in a quandary.
But not for long.
This small group of pioneers opened a school, aptly naming it Machon Chen, Chen being the acronym for chachmos nashim, “the wisest among women,” from the famous pasuk in Mishlei (14:1): “The wisest among women – each builds her home.”
A FITTING NAME for a school that respects and nurtures the spirit of the next generation of Jewish women.
205 ENTHUSIASTIC FAMILIES
“The education at Machon Chen complemented the chinuch my daughters received at home. While studying locally, they had the benefit of a strong and rich Kodesh program coupled with Machon Chen’s high level of secular education, where they received the skills and the confidence to eventually support their husbands in Torah learning. They worked hard but also had loads of fun with extracurricular activities that developed their creativity and taught them responsibility. All this, while being in the safest place in the world for a girl to be in these formative years: at home.
“I am so grateful to Mrs. Kopelman and the whole dedicated Machon Chen faculty. My daughters are all married now, transmitting the chinuch of their home and their beloved school to the next generation.”
Mrs. S. Goldenberg
Cool Timeline
2000
2000
Machon Chen opens its doors in a local synagogue at Mutschellenstrasse 11-15.
14 students
2002
2002
Machon Chen moves to Töpferstrasse 18.
27 students
2013
2013
Machon Chen moves to Schöntalstrasse 10.
37 students
2017
2017
Machon Chen holds a gala dinner, celebrating 17 years.
46 students
2021
2021
Machon Chen loses its home of 8 years and relocates to its own premises at Binzstrasse 35.
53 students
“At Bais Yaakov Machon Chen, every girl is made aware of her great potential and self-worth, based on the Torah’s principle that it was worthwhile to create the world for each individual. We help each girl reach her maximum potential, not shying away from any academic or personal challenges – but rather using them as springboards for growth. The warmth emanating from teachers to students gives the girls the feeling of being part of something greater than themselves.”
Mrs. B. Kopelman, Principal
Kodesh Curriculum
Comprehensive, in-depth studies encompassing all facets of Jewish knowledge: Tanach, Halachah, Machshavah, and Jewish History.
B.A. College Degree Credits
Students can earn credits in Humanities, Languages, Natural and Social Sciences.
General Curriculum
Secular Studies program covers business subjects, languages, mathematics, informatics, and pedagogy.
Extracurricular Activities
Seminars, European tours, social activities, weekly chessed with local families – the opportunities are endless with the vibrant, dynamic G.O. department!
Kodesh Curriculum
Comprehensive, in-depth studies encompassing all facets of Jewish knowledge: Tanach, Halachah, Machshavah, and Jewish History.
B.A. College Degree Credits
Students can earn credits in Humanities, Languages, Natural and Social Sciences.
General Curriculum
Secular Studies program covers business subjects, languages, mathematics, informatics, and pedagogy.
Extracurricular Activities
Seminars, European tours, social activities, weekly chessed with local families – the opportunities are endless with the vibrant, dynamic G.O. department!
“My vision for BY Machon Chen is to prepare each girl, with the help of Hashem, giving her the tools needed to navigate her future and the strength to deal with any challenges that life inevitably presents. I cherish the comment: ‘Mrs. Sternbuch, I am not scared of life; I feel as well prepared as I can be.’ This is the raison d’etre for the existence of BY Machon Chen and my continued involvement in it.”
Mrs. V. Sternbuch, President of the Board
After Graduation -
- More than 90% attend a one- to two-year international further education program
- Over 30% return to teach in Switzerland
- Approximately 60% enter the business sector
- About 10% pursue Life Science and Health Care professions, such as occupational therapy, social work, and health care
And our graduates have built fine Jewish homes all over the world.
“The lessons in Machon Chen are exceptional. We gain so much in our Kodesh lessons, thanks to our amazing teachers. The secular subjects are on a very high academic level, which enable us to get degrees, helping us along in our future lives.”
Tehila H., BY Machon Chen student
OUR VISION
Every student will leave Bais Yaakov Machon Chen fully equipped to face the challenges of today’s world and to find her unique place within it.
OUR MISSION
OUR VALUES
To instill in our students the importance and beauty of our heritage
Loyalty to the Torah above all
To provide an outstanding education in both Judaic and secular subjects to young women in Switzerland
Recognition of each student as an individual, with her own unique abilities and personality
To give our students the tools they need to succeed in their personal and working lives
Belief that each student has something exceptional to contribute to the modern world
OUR MISSION
To instill in our students the importance and beauty of our heritage
To provide an outstanding education in both Judaic and secular subjects to young women in Switzerland
To give our students the tools they need to succeed in their personal and working lives
OUR VALUES
Loyalty to the Torah above all
Recognition of each student as an individual, with her own unique abilities and personality
Belief that each student has something exceptional to contribute to the modern world
Emphasis on interpersonal relations that leave no room for disrespect, prejudice, or discrimination of any kind
OUR VISION
Every student will leave Bais Yaakov Machon Chen fully equipped to face the challenges of today’s world and to find her unique place within it.
“Somehow, BYMC always notices talents in girls that are otherwise hidden. They make sure to bring out these talents until every girl feels special.”
Leah M., BY Machon Chen student
“At Machon Chen, I have learned to work hard in order to succeed. I have discovered that, yes, I can do it. You discover so much about yourself.”
Tami G., BY Machon Chen student
