TPS: Haredi Seminary Girls Mobilized to Raise Funds After Education Budgets Cut
Thousands of Haredi seminary students are fundraising for the Olam HaTorah Fund to offset NIS 600 million in cuts to state education budgets.
Jerusalem, 16 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Thousands of Haredi seminary students have been enlisted to raise donations for the Olam HaTorah (Torah World) Fund, established to offset cuts in state funding for Torah institutions.
According to the fund’s website, 22,172 female fundraisers from 87 seminaries are participating. The fund was established after annual funding fell by about NIS 600 million, from NIS 1.7 billion to NIS 1.1 billion ($364 million) in 2025, following a High Court decision ending state funding for those who had not resolved their military-service status.
Initially focused on wealthy overseas donors, the campaign has expanded to Israeli telephone fundraising amid a 20% decline in the dollar. The website says fundraisers have collected more than NIS 7 million ($2.3 million).
According to the website, yeshiva students receive NIS 400 ($132) monthly for living expenses, while higher-level students receive NIS 700 ($231).