Education has been of particular importance to Jews from ancient times to the present day. The predecessors of the Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom”—the Consistory and the Public Cultural and Educational Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria—have always prioritized ensuring quality education for their members. Today, quality education that secures the future of Jews in Bulgaria is perhaps an even more important priority.
History:
From 1926 to 1939, 26 Jewish schools were established and operated in Bulgaria. With the adoption of fascist laws in 1939, all of them were closed, and the buildings were confiscated by the state. In the autumn of 1944, the Jewish schools were restored and existed until 1951, when the last Jewish school in Sofia was also closed.
In 1991, following changes to the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria and the adoption of the Law on Mother Tongue Education, the Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom,” together with partner global Jewish organizations, organized the teaching of Hebrew - the mother tongue - at the state school 134 “Dimcho Debelyanov” in Sofia.
In 1997, the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation became the main sponsor and partner of the school. The Foundation provided renovation and modernization of the building and created modern classrooms for the study of Hebrew. The school received the status of a state school with Hebrew as a first foreign language.
This remained the only school teaching Hebrew in Bulgaria until 2019, when the Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom” opened its own private Jewish school, “Ronald S. Lauder.”
Jewish Formal Education Today:
Children’s Center “Gan Balagan”
The first educational institution for the youngest children - the Jewish educational center “Gan Balagan” - was founded in 2010. We opened its doors out of care for the children of our community and with the desire to create a safe and calm environment for them, providing quality care and Jewish education. The first group consisted of only five children, while today “Gan Balagan” has six groups and 95 children. A team of 34 specialists ensures the high quality of education, including preschool teachers, a speech therapist, a psychologist, an art therapist, a medical team, and other experts. Today, “Gan Balagan” is more than a children’s center. It is a place of community and belonging, designed for the youngest members of the Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom.”
Over the years, we have built sustainable traditions and our own style in educational work through the Reggio Emilia approach. We are inspired by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia, which emphasizes the cooperation of the child with peers, parents, teachers, the community, and the environment. At “Gan Balagan,” we adopt this philosophy by providing a developmentally appropriate, rich curriculum that not only inspires curiosity and engagement but also enables children to actively and fully participate in the learning process.
We provide high-quality Jewish education and a stimulating environment in which every child can preserve their uniqueness, develop their talents, and build confidence in their abilities.
Private Secondary School “Ronald S. Lauder”
In 2019, the Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom,” the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee established the Private Primary School “Ronald S. Lauder,” approved by order of the Minister of Education.
The school opened its doors to nearly 80 students from preparatory to 5th grade. Through early foreign language education in Hebrew and English, in a family-like environment, Jewish values, culture, and traditions are practiced. In 2022, by Order No. RD-44/26.08.2022 of the Minister of Education, the Private Secondary School “Ronald S. Lauder” was officially approved.
The school grows with each academic year, and in 2027 the first graduating class will complete their studies. Each cohort has an average of around 25 students.
The “Ronald S. Lauder” Private Secondary School is a community school with foreign language instruction in Hebrew and English. The school follows the curriculum of the Ministry of Education, which includes all mandatory general education subjects. After each educational stage, students take the corresponding national examinations.
A team of professionals educates and raises the Jewish children of Bulgaria to be active, continuously learning, and caring members of both the community and society, using an individualized approach for each child according to their needs, combining formal and non-formal education.
The profile subjects in the school are Hebrew, English, entrepreneurship, and information technology. These are studied through extended preparation in lower secondary education and through specialized preparation in upper secondary education.
