Canadian Jews invest a historic $20 million in northern Israel's future

Canadian Jewish community makes unprecedented donation to transform Tel-Hai University, prioritizing long-term educational development in the Galilee region.

 1,200 Israeli flags are planted amid the destruction in Kibbutz Kissufim, near the Gaza Strip, symbolizing the number of people murdered by Hamas on October 7, 2023.  (photo credit: Chen Schimmel/The Jerusalem Post)
1,200 Israeli flags are planted amid the destruction in Kibbutz Kissufim, near the Gaza Strip, symbolizing the number of people murdered by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
(photo credit: Chen Schimmel/The Jerusalem Post)

Canadian Jewish organization JFC-UIA has announced a $20 million investment for education in northern Israel, particularly the Galilee region.

Director Manager in Israel Sarah Mali explained that most of the money will go to Tel-Hai College, helping transform the Galilee’s most significant school into a university, with the rest being given to informal education.

In addition to being an unprecedented amount, this is the first time Mali has persuaded her coalition of communities to donate to the North, as half of the contributors have preferred to send money to southern Israel instead.

The other half has been partnering with northern communities and strengthening the northern periphery for over 30 years, while no one else has.

Fire caused from rockets launched from Lebanon, outside the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, June 1, 2024 (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)
Fire caused from rockets launched from Lebanon, outside the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, June 1, 2024 (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)

Philanthropy must be done correctly

Philanthropy is an act that needs to be done correctly, Mali explained, noting that although money was donated to Israel at the beginning of the war, with good intention, it is important to allocate funds to places that will “ultimately create growth and development.”

For example, many people donated large amounts of food when the war began, but much of it was eventually thrown away.

This is why JFC-UIA will be donating to education and contributing to an institution that will last, the organization explained.