President's Message
When I walk through our beautiful campus at Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College, I see the future of Israel—young people from every part of society learning together, working together, and preparing to serve and lead. Our students include Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, veterans and new immigrants. They bring different stories, but they share a common ambition: to build lives of meaning and careers that make a difference.
I made Aliyah 33 years ago and still feel a deep sense of awe that I get to live and work in Jerusalem—a city that holds our history, reflects our complexity, and fuels our hopes. As an educator and researcher in optometry, I’ve been proud to serve on this faculty for more than 18 years. And as president, I’m honored to lead an institution that is shaping the city’s future by empowering its next generation.
At JMC, our mission is to help students succeed—academically, professionally, and personally. We believe in practical education grounded in academic excellence. We believe in supporting students who are the first in their families to attend college. And we believe in training the professionals Israel needs most, especially in health, rehabilitation, and mental health—fields that have only grown more critical since October 7.
Many of our students continue their studies in times of war, even as they serve in the reserves. Others step up in different ways—launching emergency clinics, providing trauma-informed care, and supporting the people of Jerusalem and beyond. We are proud of their service and committed to helping them succeed in the classroom and in life.
Our vision for the future is bold. We are expanding enrollment, launching new academic programs, and planning new campus space to make JMC even more accessible. As we grow, we are holding true to our motto: We Believe in You. This approach sees the potential in every student and prepares them to meet the needs of Israel.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we are building something enduring: not just a college but a community of learning, service, and hope.
Prof. Ariela Gordon-Shaag
President
Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College
