Thousands of youngsters from abroad are experiencing a new idea in tourist accommodation here this summer. The students, most from the US are staying at Kiryat Moriah, “a total environment center” for Jewish youth just opened by the World Zionist Organization’s Youth and Hechalutz Department.
Kiryat Moriah, built on a site on the outskirts of Jerusalem where Abraham is believed to have stopped on his way to sacrifice Isaac on Mt. Moriah, may be part of the solution to Jerusalem’s pressing need for more hotel space during the summer months. But, stresses Haim Ganel, director general of the Youth and Hechalutz Department, Kiryat Moriah is much more than just a place to stay; its spacious facilities include classrooms; library; an infirmary; “day rooms” where students can congregate; a dining room; a cafeteria; and a small synagogue now under construction.
At any one time during the summer, a variety of groups will be using the center, so that Jewish youth from all over will have an opportunity to meet.
The center will not stand empty during the winter months either; when the tourists go home Kiryat Moriah will house three training institutes: a six-month course for youth leaders; a three month course for emissaries; and an “institute for Zionist education of Israeli youth,” which will run a series of four-day seminars on Zionism, life in the galut, and Israel’s social problems.
Now in its initial stage of operation, Kiryat Moriah has dormitory space for 320 but all facilities have been planned to serve eventually as many as 1000 youngsters at a time.
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