With the news coming from the north, it was unclear whether the conference could take place. Early that morning, AMIT’s Reshet war room team had an emergency meeting and decided that holding a program in Sderot, the city that represents strength, resilience, and rebuilding was truly meaningful. Our principals and headquarters professionals from the north, who were worried about leaving home and traveling so far away during these times, joined by Zoom, but the show still went on for our staff.
The conference took place at our AMIT Mekif High School in Sderot, a beautiful, state-of-the-art Gogya school that opened last year and is the first of its kind in Israel.
After an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, the audience entered a sheltered auditorium to hear inspiring remarks from principal Edi Dagan, Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, Yoshevet Rosh Tamar Benovitz, and our very own AMIT EVP, Andy Goldsmith. There were also musical interludes by the students of AMIT Mekif Sderot. The session ended with a presentation by Deputy Director Ofer Hahn, who presented the strategic partnership between AMIT and the city of Sderot.
The group then met with students from Sderot, hearing about their personal experiences on October 7th and in the day’s aftermath. Many participants commented that they came to show support and ended up being inspired by the fortitude and hope of our students.
The group was then addressed by Olympic medalist and coach Oren Semaja, who lost his son Omer less than a month prior to the Olympics in Gaza. Oren was interviewed by Or Heller, a journalist, and shared how his personal and national stories are intertwined and his deep sense of Zionism and commitment to the Jewish People and the State of Israel.
Amnon Eldar, Director General of the Reshet concluded the day by sharing the strategic plan for implementing the Gogya methodology and the overarching vision for the next two years.
Everyone left inspired and energized for the new year, hopeful for peaceful days and a successful year ahead.
