Our Story

The story of Maalot’s batei midrash began about 15 years ago.

A young man named Udi Merili worked at a human resources company that helped individuals facing mental health challenges find employment in the Jerusalem area. Placing individuals from the charedi community was especially difficult and often met with many challenges. Udi came to understand that the difficulty did not stem from the individuals themselves, nor from the employers, but largely from a cultural gap between the existing rehabilitation services and the religious way of life.

Even among those who successfully integrated into the workforce, it became clear that the work did not bring them the same sense of fulfillment. Though they were capable and functioning well, something essential was missing.

Seeking to understand this more deeply, Udi asked the individuals he supported why they were not satisfied with their work. Their answers were strikingly similar: in our community, employment is sometimes necessary — but it is not the ideal. The true aspiration is to learn Torah.

This understanding led to a new vision — to create a framework where rehabilitation could take place within an environment aligned with their values, where Torah learning would stand at the center. In time, this vision became reality, and the first Beit Midrash was established in Jerusalem.

Over the years, additional batei midrash were opened in Bnei Brak, Rehovot, and Ashdod. Alongside them, a community integration program was created, supporting individuals who wish to learn in batei midrash within their own communities across the country.

Today, we are privileged to support hundreds of individuals through our various programs — accompanying them in a process of Torah growth, personal development, and renewed connection to community and life.