Since 1951, Oranim Academic College of Education has been the leading, largest teacher training college in Northern Israel. Oranim established the Shdemot Center for Community Leadership to fulfill its commitment to community development, both in Israel and in the wider Jewish world. Shdemot includes two departments – Community Building, which focuses on communities in Israel, and Jewish Peoplehood, which works globally. Both departments are leaders in their field and create programs, courses, workshops and conferences. They design innovative field models and provide off-campus training for professionals and laypeople, educators and students, integrating the expertise of College faculty and staff.