Beit Gaddol
Beit Gaddol is the Israeli wizarding school, located in Jerusalem. Naturally, the manner in which magic is taught is strongly shaped by the long, rich cultural history of the magical community there.
Beit Gaddol means 'Great House'. The motto is Yehiy or 'Let there be light'. It has, however, been proposed that a new motto be considered, as it seems to favour the house of Or. The crest contains three scrolls, eight candles and an eye.
Culture
Far and away, almost all students who attend Beit Gaddol are Jewish. The school recruits its potential student body from throughout Europe, and sometimes worldwide.
Israeli wizards and witches are called mages rather than by any other name in order to avoid direct conflict with Jewish teachings against witchcraft, priestcraft, and sorcery. Variations on this term are found such as magecraft, 'magical' replaced terms such as witchcraft and wizarding" etc.
Location
The school is accessible through a cave in the Kidron Valley, near Zechariah's tomb. The school itself is disguised on the Mount of Olives, between muggle Hebrew University and the Mormon University.
Student Life
Students begin at Beit Gaddol at age 11 and take 9 years of schooling. The first seven years are standard magical schooling. The last two years focus on trades and specific career preparation.
Students do not wear uniforms.
The eight houses of Beit Gaddol (and their corresponding characteristics/translations) are as follows:
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Students do not wear house-specific uniforms, dine separately, or compete in team sports as Beit Gaddol chooses to keep divisive opportunities to a minimum.
Academics
Jewish history, culture, and literature are taught at Beit Gaddol as well as magical theory and subjects.
C.A.M.L.s , or Certified Academic Mage Levels (akin to the O.W.L.s) are taken at the completion of the fifth year. A C.A.M.L. is received for each of the 12 possible subjects tested.
Exit examinations (akin to the N.E.W.T.s) are taken the semester prior to graduation and consist of oral, written, and demonstrative portions in both cumulative learning and information selective to the student's foci.
Student foci are based on student interest, course grades, and teacher recommendations.
Students & Alumni
Terry Katsaros
1987, Mevin House
Dreogan Eleor
1995, Or House
Adon Eleor
1999, Gibbor House
Aleron Wilhelm
1995, Or House
Raizel Cohen
1999, Gibbor House
Darius Gabor
1991, Mevin House
