It has been close to 48 hours since the horrific attacks on the State of Israel started, and there is still more “unknown” than “known” at this point. There is a feeling of uncertainty, deep sadness, and anxiety in the air, and words cannot describe what has happened and is still unfolding. As we write this email we know of more than 1,000 Israelis murdered, more than 2,000 injured and more than 100 kidnapped or missing including children.

Apart from the national tragedy, these events hit close to home to almost every single person in Israel and many, many members of our AMIT family. Everyone knows someone who has been drafted – a son, father, brother, uncle, or co-worker; and unfortunately, everyone knows someone who is on the front line, injured, killed, or kidnapped. Tragedy has not skipped over the AMIT family, as today we learned that one of our graduates Ravit Chana Assayag, HY”D, from AMIT Yud Ashdod, died in the brutal battle defending the police station in Sderot.

Here at AMIT, many of our alumni, teachers, and principals have been drafted and are now heading towards the front lines. Many of our students are sitting in bomb shelters and experiencing yet again another traumatic round of violence that will leave a lasting effect on them. Our hearts and prayers are with all of them.

As always, it is in the toughest and most challenging moments that Israel’s true spirit shines brightest. Numerous civilian initiatives are sprouting up, from hosting families from the south to the unbelievable response rate to the draft which exceeds 120%; in fact, even those who weren’t summoned simply show up to serve their country and join their units. Israeli reservists from every corner of the globe are seizing any available flight to come and join the IDF. Food and equipment are being collected from all over the country for the benefit of the soldiers, and hundreds of Psalms are being recited in every community and city. We all feel a true sense of unity and solidarity and have no doubt that Am Yisrael will get through this and we will emerge stronger and more united than ever.

At AMIT, it is our primary responsibility to take care of the well-being of our students, educational staff, principals, and professional staff at headquarters.

Last night, our Director General Dr. Amnon Eldar convened a crisis management team to discuss the course of action and form a plan for the coming days and weeks. Here are some of the immediate actions that emerged from that meeting:

• We will bring back AMITV. Each day we will provide meaningful and uplifting programming to our students. This programming will range from lessons in Emunah to counseling, and will incorporate famous celebrities to inspire, entertain, and promote conversation to interest our teenage population.
• The Tatzm team set up a special trauma team prepared to assist during these challenging times. They will integrate into every AMIT TV program a social/emotional segment by trained therapists, directly intended for students. They will work with each school management team to provide specific guidance and training for teachers to be able to relate to and help different students with different needs, and to direct specific team members or students to certified therapists.
• Senior administration will convene daily to evaluate the needs that arise from the field to ensure we are reacting and responding to the changing needs of our students.

Today’s AMIT TV programming opened with Amnon addressing the entire educational community emphasizing the following points:

1. This tragic situation is unique, in that not only were we caught off guard, but for the first time it was civilians who bore the brunt of the initial heavy attack and not the military.
2. The city of Sderot, where AMIT manages the entire educational system has taken a hard hit: the city was under siege for more than 18 hours, and our hearts are with the students and many educational teams that are dear to us, along with all the residents of the Gaza region.
3. Our educational staff was encouraged to harness their strength, leadership, and sense of mission. And while balancing the care for our own families, to do everything we can to ensure we provide the maximum for our students.
4. AMIT is compiling a database of social workers and psychologists to be available for our students, especially for those from Sderot, and to serve as a resource and guide to our principals. EVERY CHILD WILL GET THE HELP THEY NEED REGARDLESS OF EXPENSE. That has always been the AMIT mission and we will not waver regardless of the challenge.
5. We are strengthening our technological abilities so that teachers, teams, and students can freely access and meet on e-platforms to allow remote learning, meetings, and group discussions.
6. Finally, he emphasized the importance of one of AMIT’s core values, connections within Israeli society and to stand united, despite political, social and other differences.

Following Amnon’s opening, today’s AMIT TV program included Dr. Anabbelle Shaked, who spoke about “personal resilience during complex times,” Sivan Rahav-Meir spoke about Am Yisrael’s life mission and having the courage to endure and not be afraid (עם הנצח לא מפחד), Yuval Dayan (famous singer) and Hodaya Karish-Chazoni (reporter for Mekor Rishon) spoke about current events. We also held a special program for our students in Sderot that included another famous actor/singer/TV presenter, Tal Mosseri. Posters for these programs are below.