The Israel Center was founded in 1978 by George and Ilse Falk who dreamt of a “home away from home” for NCSY yeshiva students in studying in Israel. Over the last twenty years, the Center has developed into a national outreach center and Jerusalem’s foremost community service for adults and youth.

In the late 1970’s and early ‘80’s, the Israel Center focused primarily on the English speaking population in Jerusalem. It offered shiurim, concerts and community services such as a second Seder for tourists. As enthusiasm and demand grew, the center expanded its offering of shiurim, and added a range of new programs, including: tiyulim, lectures, the weekly Torah Tidbits publication, Shabbatons, and special programs.

By 1991, 800 people crowded into the Israel Center to prepare physically and spiritually for the impending Gulf War. By then, the Israel Center was not reserved for English speakers alone, and Russian olim continued to attend Ulpan at the center throughout the war.

Israel Center initiatives began to take on a national scope, and in 2000, the center moved to larger facilities at the Seymour J. Abrams OU Jerusalem World Center in central Jerusalem. From its new location, the Israel center tripled its youth activities and spread its reach to Gush Dan, the Jordan Valley and the Golan Heights.

Today, the Israel Center continues to serve the English speaking population through its programs and services. Its activities also extend beyond the Anglo community, reaching out to native Israeli youth and communities throughout the country.