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.
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
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.
General Studies Curriculum
Secular Studies program covers business subjects, languages, mathematics, informatics, sciences, and pedagogy.
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.
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.
Jewish Studies Curriculum
Comprehensive, in-depth studies encompassing a multifaceted Jewish education: Tanach, Halachah, Machshavah, and Jewish History.
General Studies Curriculum
Secular Studies program covers business subjects, languages, mathematics, informatics, sciences, and pedagogy.
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.
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.
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
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 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