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A new Jewish school is planned for Limassol, Cyprus, slated to open in 2027. The project, funded by a €50 million investment from the Yael Foundation, will provide education from primary to high school.
Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler led a tour of the future campus, highlighting the school's design, which includes earthquake-resistant construction and sustainable features. The school's development is in response to the growing Israeli population in Cyprus, which has increased over the last two decades, particularly since October 7, 2023. Cyprus has become an attractive destination for Israelis due to affordability and business opportunities, and already welcomes a large number of Israeli tourists annually.
Limassol has become a center for Jewish families, partly due to university collaborations with Israeli institutions. Currently, Israeli children in Cyprus often attend private English-speaking schools, some of which offer kosher food. However, many families seek a more immersive Jewish educational environment.
The new school will also offer boarding for students from smaller European communities lacking Jewish educational options. It aims to serve 1,500 students from all Jewish denominations and will tailor education accordingly.
The campus will include various amenities like sports fields, studios, gyms, pools, theaters, and innovation hubs, all available to the wider Jewish community. Sustainability will be emphasized through solar panels and green spaces.
The school's core values are Agency, Belonging, Creativity, Delight, Future, Identity, and Tradition, with a commitment to inclusivity. Smukler confirmed the school will be fully accessible to students with disabilities and special educational needs. He described it as a "Zionist school" that will proudly display its Jewish identity. Unlike some for-profit private schools in Cyprus, this school aims to represent the diversity of the Jewish community, including students with special needs.
With information from The Jerusalem Post.
