Development and Infrastructures

In order to address the academic development challenges of Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee, a master plan has been prepared for the next five years for the development of the physical infrastructure of the college campus, which is due to cater to around 5,000 students attending a range of programs in its various departments.

The South Campus and Development of the Site of the Historic Railway Station at Tsemakh

The South Campus includes of two main parts:The student dormitories of Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee;
The Land of Israel Studies Center, located on the site of the historic Tsemakh railway station, which has been restored and renovated by the Council for Preservation of Heritage Sites in Israel.

Simulation of the two campuses (divided by Route 92) after completion of the dormitories buildings.

The Student Dormitories

The student dormitories offer young people an opportunity to live in the area and establish their home in the northern periphery of Israel.

Around 65% of the students at the college require accommodation. Some rent in the local communities, but about 58% of them apply for rooms in the student dormitories.

The three dormitory buildings offer 250 beds. The dormitories provide all the students’ needs; including study areas, a convenience store, and venues where social and cultural encounters can take place. The population of the dormitories is multicultural, which affords a vibrant student life.

The dormitories were designed by the award-winning architect Gaby Schwartz. His design of the dormitory rooms takes note of the student’s needs and of the landscape of the area. The dormitories overlook the breathtaking view of the shores of the Sea of Galilee. This offers the students a unique residential experience in Israel.

Simulation of the student dormitories

“Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn out her seven pillars.”

Partners in the dormitories project:

1. The Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education/ Israel Land Authority/ Jordan Valley Regional Council
2. Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee
3. Initiator – A.N.A. Kinneret Dormitories Ltd.
4. The Rashi Foundation

Architectural/Technical Execution

1. Architect – Arch. Gabi Schwartz, Schwartz Besnosoff Architects and Town Planners Ltd.
2. Construction supervision – Eng. Micha Barnea – M. Barnea Engineering and Building Ltd.
3. Construction company – Nofim (subsidiary of the Plotkin Group).

Technical Data:

The total area allocated for the student dormitories was 13.7 dunams (approx. 4.5 acres) of which 5,737 square meters were allocated for stage 1 of the dormitories. The buildings included in stage 1 – 3 four-story buildings (111 rooms, 250 beds).

Cornerstone laying ceremony (June 17 2014)

Entry to the new dormitories – scheduled for August 2015
July 2014 – pouring the second ceiling of the student dormitories buildings

The Center for Land of Israel Studies Rationale

The Center for Land of Israel Studies at the college, on the site of the historic Tsemakh railway station, which served as a unique terminus of the Valley Train Stations, comprises a unique home for people who research and love the Land of Israel. It is only natural that the historic Tsemakh railway station was chosen as the permanent home for the Center for Land of Israel Studies. Within its historic walls, the site accommodates, in unison, students, researchers and hikers who share one common denominator: a love of the Land of Israel.

The site of the Center for Land of Israel Studies covers an area of some 8.3 dunams (approx. 2 acres). The restored railway station buildings are used as study classrooms. The center is open to the general public and is a visiting point for hikers and tourists in the north.

The center houses the following:

1. The Department of Land of Israel Studies: one of the largest programs of its kind in Israel;
2. Land of Israel Studies research institutes:
   1. The Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology: The institute aims to advance archeological research and activity of the Galilee and the north of Israel. It initiates archeological excavations and surveys.
   2. The Kinneret Center for Peace, Security and Society in Memory of Dan Shomron was established at Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee in order to advance research into, and the study of, the reciprocal relations that exist between society and various security issues of the state of Israel, taking a multidisciplinary and comparative viewpoint.
   3. The David Bornblum Chair for Land of Israel Studies was established by Mr. Bret Bornblum of Memphis, Tennessee, in the memory of his brother David. Two science conferences addressing Land of Israel research are held each year. The foundation is also responsible for supporting researchers and students.
3. Advanced training courses, enrichment and professional training of tour guide courses.

The 2-story building, which was formerly used as the stationmaster’s offices and home, now houses the offices of the Center for Land of Israel Studies.

The station in the early 20th century

Partners in the Establishment of the Center for Land of Israel Studies:

The South Campus project architect Gabi Schwartz, of Schwartz Besnosoff Architects and Town Planners Ltd.;

Landscape architect – Amir Blum, of Miller Blum
Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee
Council for Preservation of Heritage Sites in Israel
KKL-JNF
Jordan Valley Regional Council
Rashi Foundation
Israel Railways
Pratt Foundation

From the college: Department of Land of Israel Studies headed Prof. Chaim Ben David, Dr. Yaki Schwartz, Dr. Giora Goodman, Dr. Moti Aviam, and department coordinator Lily Kedem were active partners in the construction of this unique center of Land of Israel Studies, which provides a unique home for the department.