Kadoorie Agricultural High School

Kadoorie agricultural high school

Kadoorie Agricultural High School is an agricultural school and youth village in Israel situated next to Mount Tabor in the Lower Galilee, two kilometers north of Kfar Tavor. The school was founded in 1933.

History

Old historic building, renovated in 1956

Kadoorie is one of two agricultural schools founded during the British Mandate of Palestine. In his will the Jewish philanthropist Sir Ellis Kadoorie donated 100,000 British pounds to be invested in the development of Israel. Herbert Samuel established a committee to determine how to use the money. Two agricultural schools named after Kadoorie were built with these funds, one for Arabs and one for Jews. The Khodori Institute in Tulkarm was founded in 1930, and the Kadoorie agricultural school, near Kfar Tavor, was founded in 1933. The Kadoorie agricultural school was reputed to be one of the best schools in Israel during the British Mandate period.

Grounds of Kadoorie Agricultural High School, 2011

The main educational goal was to prepare students for advanced studies in Europe. The first principal was Shelomo Tzemach, who led the "honour code examinations" (exams without the attendance of teachers) and concentrated in the subjects of agriculture and security. The Second principal was Nathan Fiat, Who served as principal from 1937 to 1959 the legendary principal that became a model to his student.("Good by Mr. Fiat", Nathan Fiat and the Kadoorie agricultural school 1937 - 1959, by Estie Yankelevitch). The school The school's nickname during that period was "The monastery", due to the place being so secluded, attendance restricted to boys. During the period of the Israeli War of Independence many of the school's students and graduates fought in the Palmach brigades and were an honorable part of the chain of the command in it. Many of the graduates of Kadoorie school took active part in agricultural settlement throughout the country.

Today

In 1975, the school became a regional school, although the boarding school is still active. Today over 1,500 students are enrolled in the school: 200 students from all over Israel in the boarding school, and the rest students of the Lower Galilee area. In addition, the school operates a training farm and a technological college.

Notable alumni

Yitzhak Rabin, Commander of the Harel Brigade, ca. 1948, eight years after graduating from Kadoorie Agricultural High School

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kadoorie Agricultural High School.

Coordinates: 32°42′09″N 35°24′26″E / 32.7025°N 35.4073°E