Israeli Education Ministry Teams Up With Merkos of Italy

​An agreement has been reached between the Israeli Ministry of Education and Merkos l’Inyonei Chinuch of Italy, the educational branch of the Chabad movement in the EU member nation. Under this new partnership, the students at a Milan high school run by Merkos will now be able to study Israeli educational curricula and obtain a diploma from the Israeli Ministry of Education.

In April, Israeli Minister of Education Rav Shai Piron and CEO Mrs. Michal Cohen met with a delegation of Merkos-Italy headed by Rabbi Avraham Hazan to formally recognize the Bagrut project in Italy.

This will enable students in diaspora to obtain the Bagrut diploma at the Joe Nahmad high school, a division of Merkos Schools, in Milan.

Minister Shai Piron expressed his appreciation for this important project, which “…brings Israel closer to the youth of the Diaspora,” encouraging them to continue their studies in Israeli Universities and consequently make Aliya.

Rav Piron also encouraged Merkos to maintain a high level of study.

At the end of the meeting, Rav Piron invited the students who will graduate this summer for a lunch at the Israeli Ministry to personally congratulate them on this important achievement.

“The 4-year Bagrut educational curricula stands out for its feasibility and excellence. The studies can be tailored by students according on their own needs and interests, giving special emphasis to math and English – for which Israeli Schools are known to excel in and which are pertinent to future academic success,” said the minister of education.

The graduation ceremony will take place in Milan at the end of June. The Israeli authorities, together with the Italian ones, will celebrate with the first students to receive the Israeli diploma.