Earlier this month, the first class of haredi women from the Haredi College in Jerusalem was awarded their degrees in psychology under the auspices of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Prof. David Leizer of the Department of Psychology has overseen the program since its inception.
The Haredi College was founded by Adina Bar-Shalom who, it was just announced, will be receiving the Israel Prize this year. She holds an honorary doctorate from BGU.
Prof. David Newman, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, thanked Prof. Leizer for his efforts as well as Prof. Amnon Raz-Krakotzkin for their involvement.
“Thanks to Professor David Leizer for directing the program and ensuring that all the rigorous standards of a psychological degree were maintained, while, at the same time, also ensuring that the students were able to study in a social environment which did not question their religious integrity or values,” he said.
“The ceremony was evidence of the fact that when the right conditions are created, the potential for the haredi population to undertake academic and vocational studies, enabling them to enter professions which will not only provide a wage, but will also be of immense importance to their own communities, is both real and essential,” he added.
