Nearly 100 years ago, Bessie Gotsfeld had a dream: to create a sanctuary of education and opportunity for Holocaust refugees. Today, her dream lives on through the Gabel & Straus Family Campus at AMIT Kfar Batya, a revolutionary, student-centered pedagogical model designed to prepare Israeli children for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
From Vision to Reality
The campus is a bold reimagining of what education can look like. Guided by the renowned pedagogical architects at Fielding International, the AMIT SmartCampus is designed to emulate the most innovative and tech-integrated workplaces. With open learning environments, cutting-edge technology and spaces that foster collaboration, the campus integrates Jewish identity, connection and leadership development into every aspect of its design.
Architect Itzik Lugasi and his management firm, Insite, are ensuring that this vision is meticulously executed from the planning stage to project completion. Lugasi’s leadership and integrated approach to construction—having multiple stages progress simultaneously—has allowed the project to stay on track even under challenging circumstances, including the impact of war on labor availability.
Building With Precision
A strong emphasis on quality and financial transparency has been integral to the project’s success. The Top Romdor platform is used to monitor expenses, ensuring contractors are paid based on verified work. Mock-ups serve as prototypes for classrooms, seminar spaces and training rooms, allowing for refinement before large-scale construction begins. These measures prevent unnecessary costs and ensure high standards are consistently met.
Progress Amid Challenges
Despite setbacks from the ongoing war, the campus construction has made remarkable progress. By advancing infrastructure, finishes and structural work concurrently, the team has minimized delays, ensuring the project’s momentum remains strong. The three main buildings that make up the campus—The Gwen Straus High School, The Evan and Layla Green Family Foundation Gogya Building and The Chella and Moise Y. Safra Community Athletic Complex—are all well underway.
Key Milestones
Buildings: The structural shells are on track, with concrete casting completed in January 2025.
Infrastructure: The underground parking lot, which connects the campus to municipal systems, is almost complete.
Quality Assurance: Mock-ups for classrooms, seminar spaces and beit midrash areas are being finalized to refine designs and ensure quality.
Innovative Facilities Transforming Education
The Gabel & Straus Family Campus will offer a blend of state-of-the-art facilities and creative spaces, integrating technology to springboard students, teachers and the AMIT community into a transformative educational sphere.
Spanning 7,400 square meters, the high school is designed to provide a modern, comfortable learning environment.
- The Kolatch Beit Midrash, Drs. Maxine and
Alfred Miller Science Wing, classrooms and open areas are built to invite collaboration and creativity. - A curtain wall facade, constructed from aluminum, glass and polycarbonate, provides a sleek, contemporary look while enhancing natural light.
- Advanced HVAC systems ensure optimal air circulation and temperature regulation.
The Evan and Layla Green Family Foundation Gogya Building
The 5,900-square-meter Gogya Center will serve as the heart of AMIT’s operations, offering:
- Seminar rooms, executive offices and outdoor learning spaces overlooking Ra’anana.
- The Audrey Lookstein Educators’ Innovation Center and the Gogya Experience.
- Advanced facilities to foster leadership, innovation and collaboration.
Mock-ups of key spaces, such as the teacher training room and dining area, are set for completion in early to mid-2025.
A Transformative Future
The Gabel & Straus Family Campus is more than just a construction project; it’s a comprehensive vision for the future of education in Israel. Combining innovative design with a commitment to values and community, the campus is poised to inform and transform the next generation of leaders.
As this exciting project progresses, it reflects AMIT’s unwavering dedication to creating opportunities for children across Israel—a legacy of resilience, innovation and hope.
To learn more about the campus, please visit www.amitchildren.org/kfarbatya.
To learn more about dedication opportunities, contact LizK@amitchildren.org.
