Cabinet Approves NIS 200 Million Plan with Jewish Federations to Bolster Diaspora Jewish Education
Israel's cabinet unanimously approved a NIS 200 million ($59 million) national initiative on June 28, 2026, proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli together with the Jewish Federations of North America. The plan, to be led by the Prime Minister's Office and Chikli's ministry, aims to expand enrollment in Jewish schools and strengthen Jewish identity abroad, with a particular focus on the roughly 1.8 million school-age Jewish children in the United States, only a small fraction of whom currently attend Jewish institutions. Officials framed the program as a strategic response to the surge in antisemitism since October 7, addressing barriers such as tuition costs, geographic accessibility, and support for students with learning needs. JFNA Chairman Gary Torgow and President Eric Fingerhut welcomed the partnership, with Netanyahu calling it a major investment in the next generation's identity, values, and connection to the State of Israel.