Israel’s Mifal HaPayis Lottery Agency this week inaugurated one of its latest projects, the new Payis Beis Yaakov School in Modi’in Illit. Taking part in the ceremony were Modi’in Illit Mayor Rav Yaakov Gutterman, rabbonim of the city, and lottery officials including Mifal HaPayis Director IDF Major-General (Retired) Uzi Dayan.

The school was built in the Cheftziba neighborhood, boasting 198 students in first through third grades. The building reportedly cost 18 million NIS.

Lottery officials report spending 22 million NIS in the city over the past decade, building community parks, a community center, schools and kindergartens in addition to purchasing furniture for the classrooms.

Interestingly, when Dayan was the IDF’s Central District Commander, he declared Modi’in Illit a local authority, an independent municipality as opposed to being under the wing of a regional authority.

The mayor praised Dayan’s commitment to the Torah city over the years, providing security when he was a senior officer and now, as the head of the lottery agency.

Dayan added that from his perspective, “education is not a millimeter less important than security”, explaining “educating the children is securing our future and it is a fitting good investment from our part.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)