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Machon Chen

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  • About
  • Faculty
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Our Story

One family,
one heart

The thought of sending their daughters away from home at the tender age of fifteen filled a group of parents with dismay. Twenty-five years ago, Jewish girls who finished their compulsory Swiss schooling had to travel abroad to continue their 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 noshim, ‘the wisest among women’, from the famous verse in Mishlei/Proverbs (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.

Machon Chen- one family, one heart

260 enthusiastic families

“The education at Machon Chen complemented the upbringing 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,
Machon Chen parent

2000


Machon Chen opens its doors in a local synagogue at Mutschellenstrasse 11-15.

14 students

2013

Machon Chen moves to Schöntalstrasse 10.

37 students

2021

Machon Chen loses its home of 8 years and relocates to its own premises at Binzstrasse 35

53 students

2002

Machon Chen moves to Töpferstrasse 18.

27 students

2017


Machon Chen holds a gala dinner, commemorating 100 years since the establishment of the Bais Yaakov movement.

46 students

2024

Machon Chen, settled in its new home, celebrates the Jewish year cycle.

64 students

The Principal Talks

“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

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The Board’s Vision

“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

“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 graduate

Jewish Studies Curriculum

Comprehensive, in-depth studies encompassing a multifaceted Jewish education: Tanach, Halachah, Machshavah, and Jewish History.

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general curriculum

General Studies Curriculum

Secular Studies program covers business subjects, languages, mathematics, informatics, sciences, and pedagogy.

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college degree

Degree Options Qualifications

Students acquire GCSE/A Level qualifications, as well as B.A. college credits in Business, Humanities, Informatics, Languages, Natural and Social Sciences.

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extra curricular activities

Extracurricular Activities

Social programs and activities, European tours and seminars, as well as community service – the opportunities are endless with the vibrant, dynamic G.O.

Learn More

Jewish Studies Curriculum

Comprehensive, in-depth studies encompassing a multifaceted Jewish education: Tanach, Halachah, Machshavah, and Jewish History.

Learn More
general curriculum

General Studies Curriculum

Secular Studies program covers business subjects, languages, mathematics, informatics, sciences, and pedagogy.

Learn More
college degree

Degree Options Qualifications

Students acquire GCSE/A Level qualifications, as well as B.A. college credits in Business, Humanities, Informatics, Languages, Natural and Social Sciences.

Learn More
extra curricular activities

Extracurricular Activities

Social programs and activities, European tours and seminars, as well as community service – the opportunities are endless with the vibrant, dynamic G.O.

Learn More
graduation cap

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.

A Message from the Principal

Welcome to Bais Yaakov Machon Chen.

We are proud to continue the legacy of Sarah Schenirer, the founder of Jewish women’s education, ensuring the continuity of the Jewish nation.

Our mission, therefore, is to educate and transmit the eternal authenticity of our heritage to the women of our generation in a language that excites their searching minds and nourishes their spiritual thirst, thus kindling fires in their souls.

Machon Chen has a small school body, a large-scale curriculum, and an even larger heart.

A positive approach, coupled with stimulating lessons, quenches the thirst of developing minds, and an exciting and meaningful extracurricular program maximizes the innate potential of each individual, empowering our graduates to proudly carry the torch of Torah-true and dignified Jewish women.

Machon Chen’s goal is to instill the breadth and depth of Torah into its students’ souls and open up opportunities to achieve the ability to earn a dignified livelihood, thus bringing blessing to their future homes.

We are honored to pass our precious heritage from generation to generation, proudly carrying forward the torch of Jewish eternity.

Mrs. B. Kopelman,
Principal

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

heritage

To instill in our students the importance and beauty of our heritage

outstanding education

To provide an outstanding education in both Judaic and secular subjects to young women in Switzerland

tools to succeed in life

To give our students the tools they need to succeed in their personal and working lives

Our
Values

Torah

Loyalty to the Torah above all

every girl unique abilities

Recognition of each student as an individual, with her own unique abilities and personality

each student something exceptional

Belief that each student has something exceptional to contribute to the world

“Somehow, MC 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 graduate

“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 graduate

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Home About Faculty Curriculum Contact

Email: office@machonchen.ch
PHONE: +41 43 960 23 75

ADDRESS:
Machon Chen
Binzstrasse 35
CH-8045 Zürich
Switzerland

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MY TAX-DEDUCTIBLE* GIFT

* Donations to Machon Chen are tax deductible in Switzerland according to Order number 10521.

In the USA, donations to American Friends of Machon Chen are tax deductible. The tax ID number is 474864273
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PAYMENT INFORMATION

Donation by bank transfer to our bank or postal account:

UBS Account
IBAN CH26 0023 0230 4211 8240 C

Postal Account
IBAN CH58 0900 0000 8758 5759 5