The Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF, featuring the Rosenfield School of Culinary Arts, is elevating the Upper Galilee into a global center for culinary excellence, tourism, economic growth, and population expansion.  

The week of January 18, 2026 marked the soft opening of our first building and demo kitchen, the culmination of nine years of strategic planning and vision. The Executive Committee convened in Kiryat Shmona to discuss strategy, meet with partners, tour the facility, and get the very first taste of GCI by JNF at our inaugural dinner.  

With the appointment of new Head Chef Ran Pollak, the Institute will provide an exceptional range of foods that defines our culinary identity. From truffles from the Golan Heights to rainbow trout from the Dan River and in-house products like flours and beers, the Institute will reshape the conversation around Israel’s culinary scene.  

We also focused on what’s ahead: refining budgets, mapping our six-month soft opening, advancing recruitment of Israeli students for the inaugural cohort, and laying the groundwork for welcoming international students. Planning is now underway, with a gradual, thoughtful approach to opening. 

Significant funding opportunities remain for our first and second buildings, as well as for scholarships offering meaningful legacy opportunities.

For details or donor introductions, please contact Lee Lebovich, llebovich@jnf.org;  Reagan Weil, rweil@jnf.org; or Michael Feinman, mfeinman@jnf.org.  We are also happy to arrange meetings with any member of the GCI by JNF Executive Committee so you can join the journey!