Whereas                     in 1952 the Jewish Agency for Israel ("the Agency”) founded the Kiryat Yearim Youth Village ("the Village") together with the Friends of Kiryat Yearim Switzerland Organization, and it now serves as home to 135 young people and provides them with a high school academic framework ;

Whereas                     the  Agency, together with the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, R.A.M.G.A management & holding Ltd. and the Friends of Kiryat Yearim Switzerland Organization (“the Partners"), are presently preparing a multi-year work plan, to bring the village to significant educational achievements over time ;

Whereas                     the cost of operating the village for one year based on the multi-year work program, stands at 4 million US dollar;

Whereas                     the Partners expressed their willingness to commit to an annual payment for the operating the village for five years, subject to a multiyear commitment of the Agency;

Whereas                     the Agency is interested in making such a multi-year commitment;

Therefore be it resolved:

1.    To approve an annual budget of 500 thousand US dollars for five years from school year 2012/3 through2016/7 to finance the operation of the Kiryat Yearim Youth Village. 250 thousand US dollars will be funded from the core budget, and the remaining 250 thousand US dollars will be funded from designated donations.

2.    The Finance Unit is authorized to deal in implementing the said decision, according to the agreement that will be signed with Partners.

Approved by the Plenary

June 27, 2012

Explanatory notes - Kiryat Yearim Youth Village

Youth Village "Kiryat Yearim" was established in 1952 by the Jewish Agency, together with the Friends of Kiryat Yearim Switzerland Organization. The Jewish Agency is active in four rural youth today that provide a supportive and normative environment to immigrants and Israeli youth. Youth Village "Kiryat Yearim", located in the Jerusalem hills, is home to about 135 teenagers. Village youth originate mostly from the south of the country and come from all walks of society: Israelis, new immigrants and children of immigrants, native born, born in the former Soviet Union and those born in Ethiopia.

There is a high school in the village with the following study courses: certification for computer technicians, jewelry design/photography, agriculture, riding and handling horses (riding instructor certificate option), communications (specializing in photography and editing). Students learn in small groups and receive personal attention, in order to eventually obtain a matriculation certificate.

The village provides a personal and supportive framework for the Youth. Students are educated in a framework of a boarding school and in small social groups, spacious residences and numerous extracurricular activities and enrichment activities; combining individual development and personal skills development along with social skills and group activities. The village educational emphasis is on Zionism, Judaism and preparation for army service.

The Agency is currently working on building a coherent multi-year plan, in order to succeed in stabilizing the village and bringing significant educational achievements over time. Building a multi-year agreement with the partners will ensure the possibility to establish a long term process in the village.

The various partners: the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, R.A.M.G.A management & holding Ltd. and the Friends of Kiryat Yearim Switzerland Organization, have expressed willingness to sign a long-term commitment provided that the Agency commits to an annual payment of 500 thousand US dollars for 5 years. 250 thousand US dollars will be funded from the core budget, and the remaining 250 thousand US dollars will be funded from designated donations. The annual cost of running the village is about $ 4 million and the Agency's proportionate share amount is 500 thousand USD.