August 4, 2003
6 Av, 5763
Jerusalem

As of September 2003
The Jewish Agency And Israel Ministry Of Education Will Now Jointly Operate Jewish Schools In The Former Soviet Union
Jewish Agency responded favorably to a request by the Minister of Education

The Jewish Agency and the Israel Ministry of Education reached an agreement according to which Jewish schools in the Former Soviet Union will be run jointly by the Ministry and the Jewish Agency’s Education Department. The decision will be implemented as of 1 September.

The new arrangement will affect some 21,000 pupils studying in 223 schools (180 Sunday Schools and 43 day schools in which 90 teaching emissaries from Israel are employed).

Until now the Jewish Agency's educational work in the Former Soviet Union concentrated on informal education (e.g. youth clubs, summer camps, educational projects, etc.) while the Ministry of Education via Nativ the Prime Minister's Liaison Office) had been responsible for formal Jewish education, in a program known under its Hebrew acronym as Heftziba ("Formal Jewish Zionist Education in the Former Soviet Union").

Minister of Education Limor Livnat recently requested of Jewish Agency Chairman, Sallai Meridor that the Jewish Agency participate in the running of these schools. Her request came within the context of the budgetary cuts imposed by the Government and out of appreciation for the quality educational work performed by the Jewish Agency in the Former Soviet Union and elsewhere throughout the world (where the Agency specializes in both formal and informal Jewish Zionist education) and the educational infrastructure, which the Jewish Agency deploys. The operational budget for these schools amounts to NIS 25m. (ca $5.7m.). The Jewish Agency replied favorably to the Minister's request and negations were undertaken.

Amos Hermon, Chair of the Jewish Agency's Education Committee said that after in-depth deliberations, the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors decided to approve the incorporation of the Heftzibza program. According to the agreement the Ministry will continue to pay the salaries of the 90 teaching emissaries employed in the Heftzibza program, while all other expenses, including salaries of local employees, books and other pedagogical materials, teacher training and in-service courses and professional development will be borne equally by the Jewish Agency and the Israel Ministry of Education. "The concentration of formal and informal educational resources and efforts will render the system more efficient and effective," said Hermon. "It will reduce costs and intensify force to broaden Jewish Identity among Jewish children and their families in the Former Soviet Union and strengthen their bonds with Israel."

For additional information contact
the Office of the Spokesman:
Yehuda Weinraub
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media
Jewish Agency for Israel
Mobile:972-53-927017
Fax: 972-2-6204013