Jewish Orthodox Female in Israel Higher Education A Test Case

The Jewish orthodox community is considered a secluded group within the Israeli people. In the Jewish orthodox community in Israel it is common that only the women study general studies such as mathematics and science while most of the men focus on religious studies. In such cases the women become the wage earners in their families. In order to fulfill their potential orthodox women are required to acquire higher education in the standard Academic institutes. Like many others of the younger generation they also are attracted to Software Engineering, Computer science and the digital high-tech world. Since they come from an environment that does not allow women and men to study together, a special program was established for them by an academic college allowing them to study in their own separated group for a degree in Software Engineering. They study the exact same curriculum as the secular mixed group but on a different campus. Since they come from a different background it is interesting to compare their achievements in studying to those of the mixed group. To do so and avoid the influence of their initial education the author decided to look into one 4th years course given both to the orthodox group and to a mixed group. The author, who was the lecturer of this course, for both the orthodox and mixed group, compares in this work the differences and similarities between the two groups, both by addressing their measurable success in the course and in attendance, active participation and more.