Montreal - Be'er Sheva/Bnei Shimon

For almost two decades, the Jewish community of Montreal and the communities of Beer Sheva and the B’nei Shimon Regional Council have joined efforts to develop the Negev (southern) region of Israel. Their efforts have provided support for educational and social initiatives in the region and led to the development of warm, personal ties between the members of these communities.

Be'er Sheva, with a population of over 180,000, is the seventh-largest city in Israel and is considered the capital of Israel’s Southern District. It is home to some of Israel’s leading institutions like Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Soroka Medical Center.

The B’nei Shimon Regional Council consists of 13 small communities that surround Be'er Sheva, including seven kibbutzim.

Federation CJA of Montreal strategically focuses efforts on two thematic areas:

Demographic and Social Change

• By investing in projects that encourage young adults born in the area to stay and newcomers to move permanently to the region, the partnership is building a population of motivated and entrepreneurial individuals dedicated to leading social change in the region.

Equal Educational Opportunities for Children and Youth

• Recognizing education as a vital tool for social mobility, Federation CJA supports programs that empower students, encourages educational excellence by investing in programs that narrow the gap between at-risk youth with special educational needs and their peers. 

Montreal’s partnership is creating new opportunities for local residents, transforming the region into a prosperous urban center by drawing students and professionals to the area and creating a city with a reputation for high educational standards.

Click HERE for more information.