Elite €50 Million Jewish School to Be Built in Limassol

A prestigious new Jewish school is set to be built in the Polemidia municipality of Limassol. The Cyprus Jewish Academy of Excellence, a private international school, is being developed with over €50 million in funding from the Yael Foundation.

According to Philenews, construction is expected to begin in September. Architectural plans are currently being finalized, and an application for a private school license has already been submitted to the Ministry of Education. Approval is anticipated, as the school is designed to meet international standards for education.

The Yael Foundation’s official website describes the project as an effort to establish a landmark institution in Limassol—one that will set a benchmark for Jewish education both in Cyprus and internationally. The school aims to provide a high-caliber academic environment rooted in Jewish values and aligned with modern educational practices.

The academy is expected to open in 2027 and will have the capacity to accommodate up to 1,500 students from Cyprus and abroad. It will include primary, middle, and high school levels. Planned facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, creative spaces, a library, sports areas, and places of worship.

The school will be led by Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler, originally from Israel and formerly based in Australia, who brings years of experience in managing Jewish educational institutions.

The Yael Foundation was founded in 2020 by Uri and Yael Poliovich, a Jewish couple living permanently in Cyprus. Their mission is to strengthen Jewish identity around the world by offering accessible, high-quality education to children in Jewish communities.