Gandel Courses Recognized by Israel's Minister of Education

Recently the Gandel courses were recognized by Israel's Minister of Education as professional development courses. The significance of this recognition is that employees in many government and non-government industries will be able to study at Gandel for credits in professional development and towards salary increases. In addition, in certain sectors, workers' unions will subsidize the tuition of workers who enroll in Gandel courses. According to Dr. Yonatan Mirvis, founding Director of the Gandel Institute, and International Director of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, this recognition is of major importance and can open the doors of the Gandel Institute to multiple populations who until now had not considered studying Jewish literacy courses for professional development. Find a study group in your area.

Shavuot Studies in Karmiel

A special study night took place in Karmiel at the beginning of June just before Shavuot. It was the forth night of its kind, a result of a coalition of organizations in Karmiel and Misgav with a pluralistic approach to Jewish studies, culture and communal activities. Read more.

Professor Avigdor Shinan Opens the 5th Annual Gandel Shabbaton

One hundred and fifty Gandel students took part in the 5th Gandel Shabbaton, a weekend of study, held jointly with the Shabbaton of the progressive movement in Israel. Prof. Avigdor Shinan, Head of the Academic Committee of the Gandel Institute, enthralled participants with his opening lecture on the question of: "Are Our Sages' Stories Folk S tories?" Read more.

A Unique Wedding

Recently the Karmiel Graduate study group had the opportunity to put into practice what they have been studying for the past year in the Talmudic Kidushin. Together with the Russian speaking group which studies Jewish Ethics they celebrated the wedding of Galina and Alexander, who have already been married for over 30 years. Read more.

Gandel on the Israel National Trail

In December, a rest stop for a group of cross-country hikers along the Israel National Trail included a study session with Yaffa Mutsafi, the Gandel co-ordinator and tutor in Arad.  Read more.

Gandel Kicks off Jewish Cultural Festival Series

On 6 October 2010, Gandel kicked off a series of Jewish cultural festivals; 100 people took part in the inaugural event, held in Karmiel in northern Israel. It was the first of four seasonal festivals that will be held annually. Read more.

Leading Israeli Social Researcher: Gandel Institute Playing a Significant Role

Dr Ezra Kopelowitz, Director of CEO Research Success Technologies, a leading Israeli research company, believes that the Gandel Institute for Adult Jewish Learning is making a significant contribution to the field of adult Jewish learning in Israel. Currently at over 400 students, with a 30% annual growth rate, Gandel is involving Jewish Israelis in serious text study on a weekly basis. Many of the participants would not be otherwise engaged in Jewish learning. Read more.

Gandel Students Study Together in Jaffa

The Annual Gandel Study Weekend took place this year in Jaffa from March 4 to 6 with an impressive turnout of 140 students, faculty members and national staff. Read more.

Carmiel Mayor participates in Gandel lesson

Mr Adi Eldar, on his visit to the Gandel School in Carmiel, first met the Russian-speaking group studying the "Circles of Kinship" course, and joined in the lesson dealing with the question of kings and kingdom: On the table there was a bowl with shining red lights and decoration whilst the discussion was about the need for a king against the Almighty as the King of the Universe. Read more.

Partnership 2000 - Community Leadership Course Mission to South Africa

Within the framework of Partnership 2000 Beit Shemesh - Mateh Yehuda - Washington - South Africa of the Jewish Agency, a community leadership course including a group of local residents visited the Jewish Communities of Cape Town and Johannesburg. Participants on the mission were Yishai Bashan from Kibbutz Tsora, Shirit Aronson from Mesilat Zion, Noga Schusterman from Tarom, Beit Shemesh participants included Meira Arev, Chaim Danino, Hillel Hirsch and Harley Stark. The group was led by Shimkue El Ami of the Gandel Institute. Read more.