Investing in Northern Israel’s Future: KKL-JNF Breaks Ground on New House of Excellence in Kiryat Shmona

22 October 2026
Built with the support of Friends of KKL-JNF in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, and Austria, the new educational center marks another step in KKL-JNF's long-term commitment to strengthening northern Israel and expanding opportunities for the next generation.
Today (Thursday, October 22), Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) held a cornerstone-laying ceremony for its new House of Excellence in Kiryat Shmona as part of the organization's World Leadership Conference. The center will provide children and teenagers from the city and surrounding communities with opportunities to develop their skills, expand their knowledge of science and technology, strengthen their leadership abilities, and prepare for the future.
 
The establishment of the new center has been made possible, in part, through contributions from KKL-JNF delegations in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, and Austria. Their support reflects the strong ties between Jewish communities worldwide and Israel, as well as a shared commitment to strengthening communities and investing in the next generation.
 
Photography: Michael Huri, KKL-JNF Spokesperson Unit
 
The project is part of KKL-JNF's broader efforts to strengthen northern Israel through long-term investment in communities, infrastructure, education, and quality of life. Alongside addressing the region's immediate needs, KKL-JNF is focused on creating opportunities for future growth, recognizing that rebuilding the north also means giving young people the tools and opportunities to build their futures in the region.
 
Through its Houses of Excellence, KKL-JNF offers students supplementary instruction in core subjects and sciences, enrichment courses, technological training, and programs that develop leadership and essential skills. Learning takes place in small groups under professional guidance, helping students build confidence and reach their potential. In communities where these centers operate, there has been an increase in students qualifying for matriculation certificates, taking technology matriculation exams, and pursuing meaningful service and pre-military preparatory programs.

 
Photo: Michael Huri, KKL-JNF Spokesperson Unit
 
KKL-JNF currently operates five Houses of Excellence in Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Malakhi, Beit She'an, Acre, and Migdal HaEmek. In addition to the new center in Kiryat Shmona, the organization is advancing plans for centers in Sderot and Ofakim, further expanding educational opportunities in Israel's geographic periphery.
 
Eyal Ostrinsky, KKL-JNF World Chairman, said: "Some investments bear fruit today, while others shape the State of Israel for years to come. KKL-JNF operates on both fronts: investing in strengthening communities and infrastructure in northern Israel today, while simultaneously investing in education, excellence, and the younger generation who will build their futures here. The KKL-JNF House of Excellence in Kiryat Shmona embodies this approach, which sees education as a driving force for personal and community growth and for strengthening the entire region. We are here, shoulder to shoulder with local authorities, public leadership, and residents, not only to address today's needs but also to create the conditions for tomorrow's growth. For us, investing in Kiryat Shmona and northern Israel is not limited to any single project; it is a long-term commitment to the region and to the people who have chosen to make it their home."
 
Avichai Stern, Mayor of Kiryat Shmona, said: "Investing in our children and youth is the most important investment in Kiryat Shmona's future. The establishment of the KKL-JNF House of Excellence is a significant development for the city and the entire northern region, especially after the years of war and the challenges we have faced. Every child in Kiryat Shmona deserves an equal opportunity to dream, excel, and succeed, just like children anywhere else in the country. I thank KKL-JNF, Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky, and our partners in Jewish communities around the world for their trust and investment in our next generation. We are not only rebuilding Kiryat Shmona, we are building a better future here for our children."
 
  
Photo: Michael Huri, KKL-JNF Spokesperson Unit