Grant of £1.2m to boost Israel education across UK Jewish schools
JNF UK says the funds will support more than 12,000 students across 18 schools and help strengthen their connection to the Jewish state
JNF UK has launched a £1.2 million grant campaign to boost Israel education programmes in Jewish schools across Britain.
The organisation said the grant ¬– which will benefit more than 12,000 pupils at 18 primary and secondary schools – would help to strengthen young students’ Jewish identity and connection to Israel.
The four-year campaign will see primary schools receive grants of up to £10,000 a year and secondary schools up to £50,000 a year to expand their Israel education programmes.
The grant programme is unique as it gives the schools the ability to shape the programmes in line with their curriculum and ethos and decide how the money is spent.
During the year, the schools will partner with one of JNF UK’s projects in Israel, including the Derech Eretz Leadership programme for underprivileged youth and Yerucham Music Conservatory, the only one of its kind in that area of the Negev.
The schools will choose the project according to its interests and needs, providing a meaningful charitable project for the school as well as allowing students to learn first-hand about the work of JNF UK.
JNF UK chairman Samuel Hayek said: “For over 100 years, JNF UK has played an integral part in Israel’s development, supporting every area of Israeli life. The school programmes will empower the next generation of young Jews, increasing their understanding and knowledge, strengthening the connection they have with the Jewish State. It will show them also how they can play an important part in Israel’s future.”
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, said: “A strong connection to Israel means a strong Judaism and that’s because Israel is a central element of the Jewish faith. It’s for that reason that I welcome enormously this significant investment and initiative.
“The JNF will be enabling schools to avail themselves of a wide variety of activities and to be able to carry them out within the curriculum of the school and according to the school’s ethos. It’s a brilliant plan”.
Among the schools benefiting from the grant are Hasmonean Primary, London; Mathilda Marks-Kennedy School, Mill Hill; Brodesky School, Leeds; King David Primary, Liverpool; Immanuel College, Bushey; and JFS.
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