Max Stern College of Emek Yezreel: Strengthening Jewish Identity

The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, currently boasting a student body of over 4000 students in pursuit of a B.A. degree, is the fastest growing, accredited institution of higher learning in the Galilee.

Nearly 70% of its student body is originally from the FSU. GPG’s grant allows the College to run a Holocaust studies program that includes academic studies, workshops, visits to Yad Vashem, discussions with Holocaust survivors, and travel to Eastern Europe for exceptional students.

Genesis contributes to an exploration of Jewish identity by helping build a creative, multi-faceted Holocaust studies curriculum that will ultimately strengthen students’ sense of belonging to the Jewish people.

In 2009, a two-year educational program on the study of the Holocaust history was opened at the Max Stern College of Emek Yezreel. The program enrolled 200 students; 35 of them were Russian speakers.

The program consists of five academic courses and a week-long trip to the places of the Shoah in Eastern Europe.

In 2010, this trip brought together 30 students, most of whom were Russian speakers.