Update #3 From AMIT
The emotions that many of us are feeling today seem mutually exclusive. On the one hand, we are devastated, shaken to the core, and still trying to make sense of it all. We are simply heartbroken.
At the same time, the outpouring of goodness, kindness, generosity, and the constant search to volunteer and give are overwhelming and inspiring. The feeling of unity, solidarity, and brotherly love is alive and well within Israel and around the world. It’s hard to understand how a heart can be broken yet overfilled with moments of happiness.
Unfortunately, today we heard about three AMIT graduates from the same school, AMIT Kfar Ganim Petach Tikvah, who died during the vicious attacks. Motti Shamir, HY”D (1) left behind a pregnant wife and a young daughter, and we at AMIT send our deepest condolences to his family and especially his mother, Ettie Shamir, one of our teachers from AMIT Yeshurun Petach Tikvah. Uriel Segel, HY”D (2), a major in Golani, was killed in battle, and Chaim Katzman, HY”D (3), who lives in Kibbutz Chulit was murdered in the devastating attack on his Kibbutz. In addition, another graduate from AMIT Amichai Rehovot, Michael Ben Chemo, HY”D (4), died defending Kibbutz Kissufim.
Upon the realization that we need to offer special programming to the senior class, many of whom will be joining the army next year, we have begun to develop a series of evening talks and discussions, focusing on mutual responsibility, volunteering, and connections within Israeli society. Today’s program will include hearing from Major General Noam Tibbon, who in a heroic act, upon hearing from his children that they were under attack in Kibbut Nachal Oz and no one was coming to rescue them, drove to the Kibbutz, fought the terrorists who had infiltrated, and rescued his son and grandchildren and then joined forces with the IDF fighters to help release and free the Kibbutz.
Looking inwards, in order to help alleviate the stress and bring a few smiles to all of the AMIT spouses and families of principals and headquarter professionals who were drafted, we sent a pizza dinner to each family, and attached the following letter:
The Crisis Management Team for Sderot mapped out an ambitious plan. Every Reshet professional has been assigned to call and speak with 15 Sderot high school educational staff members, to check in with them and see how they are doing, what their needs are, and how AMIT can be of service. In total, the hope is to reach all 250 staff members by Friday. In addition, this afternoon on AMITTV, the special programming for Sderot included a performance by the singer Evyatar Banai, the actor Tuval Shafir, and actress Shira Levy.
Today we will hear from Moria Shapira, Director of the Girls Community at AMIT, who will share her personal experiences as the wife of a Major General of Battalion 129 reserve armor corps – stationed up north.
We also have a short video from the frontline, from AMIT Hammer Rehovot. The staff of AMIT Hammer Rehovot made a video for their students, sending their love and appreciation from the frontlines and some words of inspiration.