Goal   The Charles E. Smith High School for Boys is Shalom Hartman Institute’s laboratory for developing philosophical approaches, curricula and educational methodology for modern Orthodox Jewish education. Providing rigorous education in Jewish and general studies to more than 350 students from grades 7-12, the High School combines a deep respect for tradition with a commitment to tolerance, critical thinking and community involvement. Students learn to challenge and question along with respect tradition, and to assume leadership roles in the community.   Hebrew   Structure   The High School is unique for its dual embrace of tradition and tolerance, its commitment to the State of Israel and to community action, and its leadership in embracing difference. Find the school's website (Hebrew) here. Derech Eretz and Respect for All The High School advocates tolerance and respect for different worldviews, teaching students to thrive in a traditional Jewish “culture of conflict” that encourages respectful disagreement with people both in and outside the Jewish community.  Commitment to the State of Israel Grounded in Shalom Hartman Institute’s Zionist ideology and commitment, the High School identifies with religious Zionist principles and fosters in students a deep love for the State of Israel. All students are encouraged to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces, and to combine their plans for continued education with service to their country.  Community Involvement Students of all grades participate in the High School’s award-winning "Hands toward the Community" social action program. The program requires that students dedicate a number of school hours each week to projects that benefit the community, such as: soliciting, packaging and delivering food baskets to low-income families, reaching out to youth from disadvantaged populations, including the physically and mentally challenged, collecting and lending curricular textbooks to low-income students, and initiating joint activities with disadvantaged immigrant youth to promote their sense of belonging and integration.  Embracing Difference Believing that all students deserve the highest quality education and that integration benefits everyone, each year the High School provides a learning track specifically designed to serve students with mental and learning disabilities. The High School has expanded the program to include a second track specifically for students with communication disorders. These youngsters, many of whom experience serious social challenges, serve as the newest link in the High School’s program that teaches students to embrace and bridge differences. The program provides students with an intimate framework and specially qualified teacher, tailored classes and enrichment courses such as art therapy.  Faculty   The High School boasts an outstanding group of educators, including Zvi Yannai, principal of the school for 13 years, and master teachers Shraga Bar-On and David Dishon.   Target Population   With a total student population of 350, the High School comprises a broad cross-section of Israeli society: Ashkenazi (European descent) and Sephardi (North African descent), veteran Israeli and new immigrant, the economically privileged and the economically disadvantaged.   Reflections   “The school boasts a wide scope of activity on behalf of the city and its residents over many years and has shown unflagging dedication… By standing consistently on watch for others and waving the flag of volunteerism through good deeds that promote the welfare and quality of life of the city’s residents.”                                          -Uri Lupolianski, Former Mayor of Jerusalem