RIMON AKKO - A THRIVING CAMPUS IN THE HEART OF AN HISTORIC ARTS HUB
Stemming from the success of our central campus in Ramat HaSharon, Rimon collaborated with the Municipality of Akko (Acre), with Mayor Shimon Lankeri, to develop a branch that will serve the diverse and talented students of the Northern region of Israel. The Akko branch, which opened in 2022 – and graduated its first class in 2026 – attracts students from across the region to its academic and public programs. (Rimon looks forward to working with newly re-elected Mayor Ohad Segev, as well.). Here, Rimon is able to nurture and inspire Northern students, connect them to the larger music scene, and help them to fulfill their dreams. Akko is a center of arts in Israel, so a music school is a natural addition to the cultural landscape of the city. This campus connects deeply to the regional story, and sees itself as a cultural and educational magnet for the entire Galilee and Northern Israel. Rimon is very excited that musicians from the North can stay local and while focusing on their musical studies at a level that meets international standards.
Akko – A Local Story with National Resonance
Akko (Acre) is a city of layers—a UNESCO World Heritage site where history is etched into every stone. Arabs, Jews, and Druze from all walks of life live side by side, creating a rich and complex cultural mosaic. However, for too long, the region lacked a framework that could retain its most talented young musicians. The establishment and growth of the campus make Rimon: Akko a strategic anchor for urban revitalization. Partners such as The Beracha Foundation, Jewish National Fund, and Bank Hapoalim have joined forces to establish the campus and we are looking forward to continued expansion.
Akko is a magnet for students from across the North, from the Golan Heights to Haifa. These are students who prefer to study close to their hometown, and are less likely to relocate to the Tel Aviv area to pursue their dreams at Rimon’s Main Campus. Rimon provides them with a top-level, more affordable, education at home, altering their life trajectories and empowering them to become creative, professionally prepared musicians. The school is located inside of the Akko Cultural Hall (Heichal HaTarbut), five minutes from the sea and a ten-minute walk to the historic Old City.
Without this branch, most residents of the Galilee and the North would not have the option to study music at the professional level. Rimon: Akko is fast becoming a musical hub – a destination for musicians and audiences alike. There is power in a cohesive musician community; a contagious energy to create! It generates quality groups of musicians based on friendship that lasts for a lifetime. Under the leadership of Campus Director Gal Motiuk, each faculty member’s rich background and sensitive approach to education means that every student receives focused attention. Our faculty provides a safe, supportive, non-judgmental learning environment. They establish trust which helps students reach higher and continue to excel.
RIMON SDEROT - A BEACON OF THE REMERGING SOUTHERN REGION
Rimon is excited to partner with Sderot’s Mayor Alon Davidi, modeled after Rimon North and mirroring Rimon’s three-year program. Sderot was ravaged by the war and as displaced residents slowly begin to return, the city is devising many progressive programs. Rimon’s mission and decades-long dedication to imparting music as a healing agent dovetails beautifully with the City’s rebuild and restore plan. Sderot is a notable stronghold for music, and symbolizes a spirit of struggle, and strength. Rimon has wanted to have a presence in Sderot for many years, as many notable musicians and singers call it home (including Chaim Oliel, Kobi Oz, and Hagit Yaso). Rimon South students will hone their craft in Rimon’s creative, professional, supportive environment. Special to Sderot, this campus offers dormitories, meeting a local infrastructure need for students from the Negev region.
Rimon Sderot also carries deep ties to the regional story, and sees itself as a cultural and educational magnet for Sderot and the entire surrounding area. Under the leadership of Daniel Grinberg and Shany Fuksman, Sderot’s campus embodies regrowth and renewal.
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Hands-on, interdisciplinary learning in state-of-the-art facilities using the most up-to-date software and gear that help all students of Rimon School of Music be prepared to work professionally in music
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Rimon’s decades-long contribution to the Israeli music industry will help Sderot to continue the legacy of its own musical history
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Students may earn professional certification in live sound and studio engineering
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Serves as a liaison, connecting students to local jobs
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Students may continue their studies in the field of music education, which relieves a local shortage of qualified teachers and creates more employment for residents of the South
Added Student Benefits
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Quality housing close to campus
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An environment that encourages musical collaboration, social connections, and healing
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Participation in concerts and events that benefit the public
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Engagement with many enrichment programs available to students
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The Jewish Agency (Music for Seniors)
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The Resilience Center which offers free emotional and therapeutic support for those affected by trauma inflicted by war and security challenges, funded by the Ministry of Health
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The New High School for the Arts
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SdeRock – a music program designed specifically to help Youth at Risk
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Ongoing community collaborations including student participation in local and national private and municipal events, concerts, and festivals
Sderot opened its doors on November 25, 2025
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14 of the country’s best faculty
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42 students in the entering class, 15 who relocated to Sderot and 12 who are local
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72% of the students had little prior formal musical training and successfully completed our music theory/skills preparatory course
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All Grand Opening entering students received a 75% tuition scholarship
As this project was in its planning stages, we realized that our dream could not have happened without persistence and cooperation with local authorities. Rimon worked diligently to acquire the necessary resources and approvals. We recruited a high-quality teaching staff and designed professional programs. Meanwhile, the Municipality of Akko customized the city’s cultural center building to meet the needs of the Rimon campus, and invested in top-notch musical equipment. The city adopted Rimon North as a flagship project and supported every initiative aimed at strengthening the community. The initiative was received with great enthusiasm among young residents of the North, by allowing them to stay closer to home while pursuing their music studies. Unique to this campus, Rimon North also offers student housing in the Old City of Akko (assigned by the Eyal Association) for those who elect to live there.
Benefactor partners who shared our vision for this venture: Student scholarships endowed by The Reconciliation Factory; top of the line musical equipment gifted by The Jewish National Fund (JNF); and philanthropist David Lowy, who helped finance the student housing which greatly enhanced the overall student experience. These partnerships strengthen the connection between the campus, the local community, and various cultural and educational entities.
In July 2022, the campus opened with a great ceremony to welcome our pilot entering class of 40 students. The launch event featured a festive performance by Miri Mesika, Valerie Hamaty, and a visit by President Isaac and First Lady Michal Herzog. Rimon appointed Galia Ben Saadon (a Northern resident and Rimon graduate) as Director of Rimon North. Many Rimon North students have chosen to move to Akko, thus creating a growing musicians colony. Each student’s unique contribution ensures the music becomes the bridge that connects people from all over the country, and sweeps the city towards a new era of culture and creativity.
Despite COVID, Rimon North flourished because of Rimon’s “the music never stops” philosophy. When necessary, the gifted faculty pivoted to conducting classes via Zoom and the students stayed committed to their work. Sigal Barzilai from the Municipality assisted by encouraging students on campus, while advocating for support resources.
As the pilot class approaches the graduation finish line, we can see the exciting results of this courageous endeavor, as the student sound resonates across the North and nationwide. Rimon is proud to be embraced by the City of Akko, which has stood as a nucleus of the arts for many generations. The language of music opens gateways for transformation. We cannot wait to see how the Rimon North success story unfolds, as we continue to work with the city and future emerging partners to affect immediate, tangible change.
The Rimon School of Music Executive Committee:
Harry Lipschitz, Chairman | Yehuda Eder, President | Moshe Sinai, Managing Director| Orlee Sela, Director of External Affairs