Reichman University, Israel's first private, non-profit university, also houses the largest international school in Israel, the Raphael Recanati International School (RRIS), welcoming over 2,500 students from 90 countries.
Founded in 1994 by Professor Uriel Reichman, the university is modeled after leading Ivy League institutions in the US.
"For us, the student is not only a student who needs to be taught inside a classroom," Jonathan Davis, who heads the RRIS, explained. "Extracurricular activities around this campus are of extreme importance in making the students feel at home and feel as if they're part of a family."
"It's really a family. We create sort of a community within the RRIS," Sylvia Kassoff, Director of Students' Affairs and Wellbeing, added. "We want the students to feel at home. We actually become like a second family to them. Right now, during the summer, we start preparing for welcoming the new students that are coming that are coming in in October."
A total of 2,400 students from 90 different countries, Davis said, noting that many of these have left their parents and their siblings behind. "In addition to the academic excellence, and in addition to the networking, we need to provide tender, loving care."
In addition to orientation, the students also take a trip to southern Israel, immersing themselves in Israeli culture, bonding, and meeting each other.
“In order for the student to feel truly comfortable and cared for outside the classroom, it’s essential to offer a rich variety of extracurricular activities. Social gatherings, cultural events, Shabbat programs, trips across the country, and the psychological services we offer here,” Davis remarks, “all come together to create a home away from home for our students.”
“We’re proud of the many clubs on campus,” he continues. “From Model United Nations to the Debating Club to the Entrepreneurship Club, these activities bring people together. Many students are passionate about sports, so we set up leagues — men’s and women’s volleyball, basketball, and soccer. There’s something for everyone.”
“It’s a beautiful mix of people from all over the globe,” Davis adds warmly. “The family-like feeling our students talk about so often comes from these shared experiences — social, cultural, and extracurricular.”
Kassoff shares, “We run a peer counseling program where each counselor takes care of a group of 20-25 students. They reach out, offer guidance, and help navigate university life, Israeli society, bureaucracy, and everything in between. Anything that helps them feel more at home — that’s what we’re here for.”
“Bureaucracy in Israel can be challenging. Students sometimes face ministries and procedures that feel overwhelming. We walk beside them every step of the way. Part of loving our students means making sure they know they’re never facing these challenges alone,” Davis reflects.
Kassoff nods, “From orientation to graduation, we’ve built a system to ensure students feel supported every single day,” and Davis affirms, “Parents can rest easy knowing that someone here is watching out for their child.”
She continues, “We pour so much work and energy into this because we care deeply. Our goal is that every student has the tools, resources, and confidence to succeed — and to be happy here.”
“Beyond the personal care, we make sure that when our students graduate, they’re ready to take on the world. Our career placement office — one of the best I’ve ever encountered — connects graduates to real opportunities. Academic excellence here isn’t just theoretical; it’s interdisciplinary and hands-on,” Davis says with conviction.
“Employers love our graduates,” he explains. “Reichman University and the Rafael Recanati International School produce professionals who are not only academically strong but trained to work in diverse fields. They bring that extra spark, the practical skills that set them apart.”
“And so,” Davis concludes, “while we are a research-oriented university, we also make sure students leave with a profession they can build a future on.”
Kassoff finishes with a smile, “At the RRIS, the International School, we’re more than academics. We’re a family — here for you from the moment you arrive until the day you graduate. Our doors are always open. We want students to feel free to come in, share what they need, how they feel, and how they’re doing. This is their home.”