JERUSALEM, Israel โ A new nonprofit organization is seeking to expand higher-education opportunities for Jewish students by connecting them with Israeli universities through a comprehensive digital platform that simplifies admissions, academic planning, and student support.
Campus Israel, launched amid growing concerns over campus antisemitism in North America and Western Europe, says its mission is to provide students with an alternative pathway to world-class higher education in Israel. The organization says it seeks to connect prospective students with universities that emphasize academic excellence, critical thinking, innovation, and open inquiry while offering practical support throughout the application and enrollment process.
According to Campus Israel, the platform provides access to undergraduate degrees, graduate programs, junior year abroad opportunities, and summer study options, all taught in English at many of Israel’s leading universities.
The organization says its online platform is the first of its kind to centralize the admissions process while helping students compare academic programs, estimate tuition and living costs, manage application deadlines, and connect with other students planning to study in Israel.
“Jewish students should not have to compromise their safety, identity, or ambition to pursue higher education,” said Campus Israel Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, the former deputy mayor of Jerusalem who also serves as Israel’s special envoy for trade and innovation.
“Campus Israel empowers students to take charge of their education in an environment that demands excellence, rewards initiative, and prepares them to thrive. We are giving the next generation a pathway defined by rigor, resilience, and real-world opportunity.”
The initiative comes as Jewish organizations, universities, and government officials in several countries continue to report rising antisemitic incidents on university campuses following the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Those incidents have included harassment, intimidation, protests targeting Jewish students, and increased security concerns at many institutions.
Campus Israel presents Israel’s higher education system as an alternative for students seeking internationally recognized degrees in a secure, academically rigorous environment.
Israel’s universities consistently rank among the world’s leading institutions in scientific research, medicine, engineering, technology, and entrepreneurship. The country is internationally recognized for its contributions in fields including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and agricultural innovation.
Campus Israel says students who enroll through its platform benefit not only from academic guidance but also from personalized support before and after arriving in Israel.
The organization provides assistance with university applications, student visas, and enrollment procedures, and offers concierge services to help students adapt successfully to life in Israel.
Students also gain access to internships, mentorship opportunities, alumni networks, and professional connections throughout Israel’s internationally recognized innovation ecosystem.
The platform includes a personalized assessment tool that helps students identify academic programs aligned with their interests, strengths, and career objectives. Students can also compare tuition costs, estimate living expenses, and monitor application requirements through a single online portal.
Another feature enables prospective students attending the same or nearby universities to connect before arriving in Israel, helping to build supportive communities during the transition to studying abroad.
According to Hassan-Nahoum, the organization’s mission extends beyond academic placement.
“Education is about more than knowledge; it is about agency, purpose, and the confidence to lead,” she said.
“Campus Israel empowers students to pursue world-class degrees in an environment that challenges ideas, fosters growth, and prepares them to contribute meaningfully, not just in Israel, but across the globe.”
Campus Israel also highlights the financial advantages of studying in Israel.
Israeli undergraduate degrees are generally completed in three years rather than four, allowing graduates to enter the workforce sooner while reducing the overall cost of obtaining a university education. Tuition at many Israeli institutions is also substantially lower than tuition at comparable private nonprofit universities in the United States.
The organization says these factors combine to create an educational model that is academically competitive, economically attractive, and professionally beneficial for international students.
Founded as both a nonprofit organization and technology platform, Campus Israel says it aims to strengthen connections between students around the world and Israel’s higher education system while preparing graduates for careers in an increasingly competitive global economy.
As universities across North America and Europe continue to confront debates surrounding campus climate and antisemitism, Campus Israel says it hopes to provide students with another option that combines academic excellence, personal development, and strong professional opportunities.
