KKL-JNF directorate members, led by KKL-JNF World Chairman Daniel Atar and Upper Nazareth Mayor Ronen Plot, toured the KKL-JNF House for Excellence in Upper Nazareth. The team witnessed the center’s extensive activities and its impact on the city’s youth.
This week, the KKL-JNF Directorate visited and held a meeting at the
KKL-JNF House for Excellence in Upper Nazareth (now called Nof HaGalil). KKL-JNF World Chairman Daniel Atar is spearheading the KKL-JNF Houses for Excellence project, which aims to narrow the social and educational gaps between Israel’s central and outlying cities. The Upper Nazareth/Nof HaGalil House, which has been
running for over a year, is the first of the ten Houses planned for Israel’s peripheral regions.
Prior to their meeting, directorate members toured the House, taking in the open-plan central hub with its colorful modern furniture and cutting-edge computer labs and classrooms, all designed to foster an atmosphere of innovation and collaborative learning. The team also had the opportunity to meet some of the students and staff, who told them about the significant contribution of the House to the improvement of their grades.
The numbers speak for themselves: The percentage of students eligible for matriculation certificates in Upper Nazareth/Nof Hagalil increased significantly over the past year, from 67.4% in the 2017-2018 academic year to 77.9% in the 2018-2019 academic year. The Upper Nazareth/Nof Hagalil municipality credits the KKL-JNF House for Excellence for these achievements.
Nof Hagalil Mayor Ronen Plot told the visiting directorate members that he is amazed from anew at the House’s success every time he visits here. “The students tell me that they come here three times a week and that they have improved their grades. For example, in the subject of chemistry they went from 30 to 85, and in physics from 40 to 90. What this place did for them is simply unbelievable,” Plot said.
Hodaya Amar, a student who will be in eleventh grade next year, spoke about just how much the KKL-JNF House for Excellence has empowered her: “The KKL-JNF House gave me the motivation and desire to succeed. This House has furthered me and enabled me to realize my dream of opening my own business at age 16,” Amar said. “My dream is to be a media personality, and thanks to the KKL-JNF House I was interviewed on TV and I represented my city honorably. The studies here go together with values. We also learn that grades aren’t so important and that first and foremost we need to be decent human beings.”
“Two years ago, the KKL-JNF directorate adopted my proposal to promote this initiative, and I am happy that they can now see just how successful it has been. This house in Nof Hagalil is a huge success story and in light of its success, we will create another nine KKL-JNF Houses for Excellency throughout Israel,” said KKL-JNF World Chairman Daniel Atar.
KKL-JNF House for Excellence Director Shimon Abuchatzeira summed it up: “There is a lot of heart and love at this beautiful place. Our method of operation is to connect with our young people, the staff and the local authority. The secret of the house’s magic is that it is full of substance and it provides the perfect atmosphere for succeeding.”