By Liz Klibanoff, Director, Financial Resource Development
AFTER PARTICIPATING IN AMIT’S 90th anniversary mission, I understood what it means to be a part of a winning team. Over 130 people from the U.S. and Israel celebrated AMIT’s contributions to Israel, and we saw what AMIT has in store for the next 90! AMIT’s values of academic excellence, contributions to the state, and impact on Israel’s future were evident throughout the trip.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: LOOKING FORWARD
We visited Gogya, the new teacher training institute that is revolutionizing education in the AMIT schools. Derived from the Latin word, “pedagogical,” AMIT teachers learn to implement best practices and are exposed to new ways of thinking, as Gogya inspires them to encourage students to use both critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Gogya embodies and enhances the pioneering spirit that is driving AMIT to create an enriching educational experience that will transform the educational landscape in Israel.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOR ALL
Our visits to The AMIT Ginsburg Bar-Ilan Gush Dan Junior and Senior High School and The AMIT Fred Kahane Technological High School in Ashkelon revealed the breadth of the spectrum of population that AMIT is educating. Whether they are from strong educational backgrounds or from challenged educational (and social and economic) ones, AMIT offers all of its student’s exceptional academic opportunities that enable them to reach their individual potential. In Gush Dan, we learned how students are combating cyber-threats and are recruited to the army. At Ashkelon, we saw students trained in the culinary arts and cosmetology—one day they may well own their own businesses. We also met Or Assouline, a 17-year-old young woman who is a student at AMIT Acco. Or is the CEO of a company called “Hotbox” and she represents AMIT’s contributions to the future “start-up nation” that is emerging in Israel. Clearly, AMIT is striving to address the educational needs of all strata of society and to foster future leaders in a wealth of callings.
COMMITMENT AND SELF-SACRIFICE
One of the most inspirational moments of the mission occurred when we met with Ido Aharonvitz, principal of AMIT Ashdod Yud. Ido shared the story Ben Vanounu, z”l, an AMIT graduate and member of the Golani Brigade who was killed in Operation Protective Edge. Heartbroken at hearing the news, Ido worked to ensure that Ben’s family received his Bagrut certificate posthumously. Ron, Ben’s younger sister and a current student at AMIT, told us that she would enter Golani next year to finish her brother’s work. We were struck with her courage and sense of duty. It was clear that this is an underlying tenet of AMIT’s philosophy: to think beyond oneself and to give back to Israel. All of us felt sadness for Ben’s fate, but also a sense of pride in how AMIT was empowering these young students. Ido, like every dynamic AMIT principal we met, saw himself not only as an educator but also as a catalyst for change, helping these young men and women on a trajectory of success for the future. Ido’s commitment and care for his students and their families made an impression on us all.
LIKE DREAMERS – UNDER THE STARS ON YOM YERUSHALYIM AND BEYOND
We felt as if we were dreaming as we entered the old city of Jerusalem to the sounds of singing and cheering on the evening on Yom Yerushalyim. Author and journalist Yossi Klein Halevy brought us back to the mythical time of the Six-Day War through his unique storytelling talents; we could almost hear the legendary words of “The Temple Mount is in our Hands.” That night we were united as members of AMIT and of the Jewish people, and we felt the awesome responsibility of continuing this weighty legacy through our support of AMIT.
OUR PARTNERSHIP IN BUILDING THE FUTURE
President Reuven Rivlin hosted us in his home and praised AMIT for engaging “the highest levels of teachers.” We heard from newly elected MK Rachel Azaria, an AMIT graduate, who recalled how the schools had taught her to always aim for the greatest goals and the loftiest ideals. And then, as we left to enjoy AMIT’s 90th birthday celebration at Binyani Hauma, we were greeted with a festive street fair where we joined with thousands of AMIT students. Together we danced, sang, played music, and celebrated AMIT’s success. The smiles and laughter of these young students, we realized, were a testament to the relevance and vitality of AMIT’s mission. And then, less than two hours after being sworn in as newly elected Minister of Education, Naftali Bennett proclaimed, “Today, I am an AMIT student” to the deafening cheers of the audience. Bennett riveted the crowd, declaring “AMIT is always there for the challenge and is always ready to answer the call by saying we are here.” He praised AMIT’s creative and innovative spirit, suggesting that “AMIT is sort of the Google of education,” always tinkering and experimenting to find the right balance in education.
Hearing those words from the Minister of Education only confirmed our feelings that AMIT is a leader, a pioneer, and a valued partner by the State of Israel.
Other highlights of our AMIT adventure included a delightful cocktail reception and dinner overlooking the Judean Hills at sunset with Dr. Daniel Gordis, Shabbat with Rav Yuval Cherlow of the AMIT Orot Shaul Yeshiva in Ra’anana, and we heard from Mayor Nir Barkat, Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Gil Hoffman of the Jerusalem Post, and Mark Weitzman of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. We also visited AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled, met with Mayor Zeev Bielski, Mayor of Ra’anana, took in the Israel Museum, and had a frenzied scavenger hunt in the Shuk. And, we had the opportunity to take an exclusive tour of the Palmachim Air Force Base to meet with young pilots who discussed their roles in Operation Protective Edge.
KFAR BLATT – A TRUE HOMECOMING FOR ALL
At Kfar Blatt, we were reunited with Miri and Moshe Uziel, Tal Avitan, and Yaffa Rotman, AMIT graduates who seemed to have grown up before our eyes. No longer, teenagers, they were mature and accomplished young people, some of whom had married, had children, and actualized their dreams and goals. All of them credited AMIT with helping them to carve out a path for the future. Moshe, a commander in the IDF, had obtained his university degree and recently gotten married. He excitedly told us that he was returning to the Kfar to help young teenagers as the Kfar had helped him. All of us felt immense pride as a part of their success; all of us felt the ripple effect of an AMIT education. Together, how many lives had we changed for the better? We could feel the impact of AMIT’s education on these proud young men and women, and we knew that our efforts had helped produce these talented young graduates who were contributing to Israel.
What is it like to be a part of a winning team? Just ask anyone who is involved with AMIT. We know what it feels like, and we will continue to do everything to keep Team AMIT in the lead.
