Tel-Hai University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee

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Tel-Hai University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee

Tel-Hai University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee, is a leading academic institution in the North of Israel

Located on Israel’s northern border, in a region facing many social and economic challenges, Tel-Hai College stands as a beacon for positive change. The college has spearheaded curricular innovation, creating, among others, departments of Biotechnology, Environmental Science and Computer Science alongside Psychology, Social Work, and Education, all of which have national standing, attracting stude

nts from across Israel. With over 4,500 students who are studying in 11 different academic departments, Tel Hai College is equipped with advanced computer rooms, laboratories, an advanced and rich library, a cafeteria, and a breathtaking scenery.

21/04/2026

Israel’s independence reflects a journey of resilience and renewal. At Tel-Hai, we continue that journey - building knowledge, opportunity, and a stronger future for the Galilee and beyond.

20/04/2026

On Israel’s Memorial Day, we honor the soldiers and victims of terror who gave their lives for our country. Among them are students, graduates, and faculty members of Tel-Hai whose lives and bright futures were cut short. We remember them today, and every day, as we carry their legacy forward in the future we continue to build.

01/04/2026

Passover is the story of resilience.
The story of a people who kept moving forward, even through uncertainty.
The story of a journey toward freedom and a future worth building.
That same spirit lives on today in the Galilee,
as we learn, build, and shape the future together.
To all our friends and partners, we wish you a happy Passover!

26/03/2026

Dan Szklowin. Master’s student - Biotechnology

I am a master’s student in Biotechnology (Ecological track) at Tel-Hai.
I live in Rosh Pina, in the Upper Galilee, and chose to study here out of a deep connection to the region and its natural ecosystems.

During the war, we continued conducting research and even published a paper on magnetoreception in animals.

My current research focuses on the relationship between diet and the microbiome of migratory songbirds during the autumn and spring seasons. It takes place in the field, in the heart of the Galilee’s natural environment - even these days, against the backdrop of Operation “Roaring Lion.”

I believe the north has tremendous potential for scientific and environmental development, and that strong academic institutions are a central part of that.

For me, the choice to remain and work here is part of a broader vision to build a strong and meaningful future for the north.

Link to our current research - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsbl/article-abstract/21/10/20250213/236026/A-reproducible-model-for-magnetosensitivity?redirectedFrom=fulltext

03/02/2026

Good News for the North: Massive Gift of Approximately 130 Million NIS to Tel-Hai, University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee

Two weeks after the Council for Higher Education approved Tel-Hai’s transition to the University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee, and one day after the government meeting approving a 600 million NIS university budget, another significant milestone was recorded today: The Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation of Vancouver, Canada, has awarded a $50 million CAD (approx. 130 million NIS) gift to Tel-Hai, University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee.

This is the largest donation ever received by the institution and will support the establishment and development of the new university.

This unprecedented investment arrives at a critical junction, the transition from war to renewal, and is intended to transform the institution into a central anchor for regional rehabilitation and growth. In recognition of the gift, the Eastern campus will henceforth be named the "Roadburg Campus."

The significant contribution will be used to expand Applied Research and lead fields at the forefront of science, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sustainable Agriculture, Social Resilience, and Social Work, fields vital to the recovery and strengthening of the region.

Prof. Eliezer Shalev , President of the University: "Tel-Hai is the beating heart of the Galilee. This donation ensures that our academic excellence remains inclusive and that we continue to serve as the region's primary engine for socio-economic growth and a beacon of coexistence."

Stephen Gaerber, Director of the Roland S. Roadburg Foundation: "We saw an institution that does not compromise on academic quality and applied research, while simultaneously serving as a model for social coexistence. The Roadburg Campus will be the beating heart of Israeli innovation in the Galilee."

This historic $50M CAD gift is the culmination of a deep, years-long journey. We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation for their unwavering friendship and belief in our mission.

To the Foundation, and to all our partners who have stood by our side, through years of growth and through the challenges of the recent past, thank you. Your commitment is the fuel behind every breakthrough in our labs and every student who walks through our doors.

We are building this university together. We are anchoring the future of the North, together.

Toda. 🇮🇱🇨🇦

25/12/2025

Wishing a Merry Christmas to our friends and partners across the globe, and to our students and faculty members celebrating.
May this season bring light and hope, and may the year ahead be filled with renewal and creativity.

18/12/2025

In the spirit of Hanukkah - symbolized by the miracle of olive oil that burned for eight days, we are pleased to share highlights from the “Olive Sector - Roots of Innovation” conference, which was recently held at Tel-Hai as part of the Galilee, Golan, and Valleys Olive Days Festival.

The Olive Days Festival aims to strengthen the Galilee’s agricultural, tourism, and cultural landscape while supporting professional growth within Israel’s olive industry. Tel-Hai’s conference served as a key pillar of this regional initiative, produced in collaboration with the Olive Sector at the Plants Council, Tel-Hai’s Department of Food Sciencesההחוג למדעי המזון - מכללת תל חי and the Galilee Development Authority.

The conference brought together researchers, growers, industry leaders, and culinary innovators to explore olive oil from multiple perspectives. Conference Chair Dr. Loai Basheer, Head of the Department of Food Sciences at Tel-Hai, emphasized the particular significance of this year’s gathering amid the challenges facing Israeli agriculture, from the rehabilitation of the north and grower hardships to questions of product authenticity, regulation, and the evolving tourism landscape in the Galilee.

As part of the conference, Dr. Loai Basheer delivered a fascinating talk on “Olive Oil: Chemistry and Health" presenting interesting insights into the chemistry and health benefits of olive oil. The insights are presented in the images below.

The conference featured a rich range of expert perspectives, hands-on tastings, and a culinary workshop showcasing innovative olive-based products - highlighting once again how Tel-Hai connects academic excellence with the unique resources of the Galilee to create meaningful, applied impact. To learn more about the conference visit here: https://www.telhai.ac.il/en/news/7206

As we celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of light, we are inspired to continue illuminating new paths in research, innovation, and community impact- shedding light on discovery and possibilities that extend far beyond the Galilee.

Wishing a happy Hanukkah to all our partners and friends!

15/12/2025

We send our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters in Australia. At this difficult time, we stand united, through the unbreakable bond that transcends distance. May the light of Hanukkah bring comfort and healing to your community and to all who are grieving.

26/11/2025

We are proud to share a new study by Prof. Inbar Levkovich from Tel-Hai’s Faculty of Education, recently published in leading scientific journals and featured in both the Israeli and international media - including Haaretz הארץ and Germany’s prestigious Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The study, based on the testimonies of 33 hostages who were released after 48–55 days in captivity, explores the coping mechanisms that enabled them to survive under inhuman conditions.
It paints a complex portrait of trauma and resilience. Survivors described an all-encompassing experience of terror, loss of control, and humiliation, together with the breakdown of their basic belief that the world is a safe and caring place.
Yet, even in the face of isolation, fear, and hunger, they showed an extraordinary ability to hold on to faith, love, and imagination as sources of life and strength.

Prayer, inner dialogue, daily gratitude, and mentally revisiting the faces of loved ones became tools for preserving hope.
Many developed intrapersonal coping strategies - maintaining routines, counting days, writing diaries, repeating words of self-encouragement, and at times emotional detachment.

Alongside these individual efforts, interpersonal support networks emerged: hostages shared food, encouraged one another, cared for children, and worked to maintain a sense of belonging and collective meaning.
In some cases, they even forged strategic connections with their captors in an effort to improve their treatment.

The research underscores that even when a person loses control over their body and surroundings, the capacity to preserve humanity and compassion endures.

The study also highlights that coping does not truly end with liberation, but continues long after, calling for ongoing therapeutic and community care.

At Tel-Hai, research and practice in resilience, mental health, and trauma form an integral part of our academic and social mission.
Our proximity to the northern border has turned our institute into a living laboratory of resilience- at the personal, community, and national levels.
As we witness the long-awaited return of hostages to their families in recent weeks, this research carries a profound and timely relevance.

We remain committed to developing the knowledge, training, and tools that will help Israeli society face the long road to recovery in the coming years, and to building a healthier, stronger, and more compassionate future for us all.
We continue to hope for the complete return of all those still held in Gaza.

The full study can be accessed via the attached link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40359-025-03183-0

20/11/2025

In a recent festive and moving ceremony at Tel-Hai, a cornerstone was laid for the new Canada Senate and Graduate Studies Building. This building marks a major milestone in Tel-Hai’s transition into a university - reshaping the academic, educational and social landscape of Israel’s Eastern Galilee.

The new building will house the university’s leadership and serve as a home-base for the development of advanced academic degrees and groundbreaking research, attracting additional students, researchers, and regional collaborations - significantly advancing the university’s mission to enhance education and the quality of life in northern Israel. The building will be established thanks to the generous contribution of the Canadian Jewish communities, made as part of “Project Regeneration,” an unprecedented initiative of the Jewish Federations of Canada - UIA(JFC–UIA).

This special initiative united the Federations of Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and the Coast-to-Coast Federations (including the Jewish Federations of Winnipeg; Ottawa; Calgary; Hamilton; London, Ontario; Edmonton, Victoria & Vancouver Island; Windsor; Atlantic Jewish Council; and communities in Ontario and Saskatchewan), who each committed to making equal contributions towards their shared goal of strengthening Israel’s North and its regional communities. Together, the Federations have raised 25 million Canadian dollars - an investment expected to attract additional matching funds, bringing the total impact to over 50 million Canadian dollars.

We invite you to read the full story on our website and learn more about this meaningful event made possible through the generous support of our Canadian partners.

https://www.telhai.ac.il/en/news/7086

Address

Upper Galilee
Kiryat Shemoneh
12210

Telephone

+97248181786

Website

https://www.telhai.ac.il/en

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