Mishkan Ora Opens Northern Branch in Kiryat Shmona
Mishkan Ora, an affiliate of the Jerusalem-based Mishkan Meir educational institution, is opening a new branch in Kiryat Shmona. The new seminary, aimed at young women who have completed their army or national service, will focus on Torah study, identity building, and connecting participants to national missions in northern Israel. This initiative is part of a broader trend of new families and individuals moving to the northern city, which has been significantly impacted by ongoing conflict.
The decision to establish the branch in Kiryat Shmona stems from an understanding of the city's challenges and the need to infuse it with new energy. The first academic year, under the slogan "Renewing and Expanding," will commence after the Sukkot holiday. Mishkan Meir emphasizes that this move aligns with a larger effort to strengthen the city and the northern region.
The program is designed for young women to dedicate a year to deepening their spiritual world, exploring their identity, and studying Torah with a connection to Judaism, love, and faith. The curriculum will be led by rabbis from Mishkan Meir and local rabbis, following the unique approach of Rabbi Dov Bigon, which combines Jewish learning with a connection to Israeli values.
Rabbi Dov Bigon, head of Mishkan Meir institutions, stated that the branch in Kiryat Shmona represents unity, courage, and faith, extending their 50-year mission to bring light and love to all. He described the residents of Kiryat Shmona and the North as the vanguard of Israeli society and expressed the institution's desire to connect and strengthen together.
Eyal Pines, CEO of Mishkan Meir and a Kiryat Shmona resident, highlighted the importance of telling the city's true story and its pioneers. He encouraged young women to join the new institution, emphasizing the opportunity to connect with themselves, their people, national values, and civic duties. Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern also welcomed the initiative, seeing it as a significant boost to the city's resilience and development, and called on young women to join this endeavor.
