A number of schools were on overnight shabbatonim across Israel and the Ministry of Education determined they should return home as soon as possible, regardless of Shabbat. Executing our emergency war plan, senior management convened on Shabbat to make logistical arrangements to transport all students home via bus and to notify parents. Since it was Shabbat Zachor, many of our yeshivot and ulpanot were hosting students on their campus for Shabbat or at other locations across Israel. In accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines, we had to quickly map every school, dormitory, and program, determine their status, and ensure safe arrangements for them to return home on Shabbat.
All our students arrived home safely.
Midreshet AMIT students gathered at Beit Hayeled or sheltered in place until a safe opportunity presented itself to travel back to campus. Extra staff and counselors have been brought in for the duration.
As of this morning, approximately 170,000 reservists have been drafted in a broad national mobilization. Many of our principals and headquarters staff (approximately 20%) have been called up and we are adjusting accordingly.
As always, students at our three residential facilities were in for Shabbat, namely, AMIT Beit Hayeled, AMIT Kfar Blatt, AMIT Beit Chagai and, Baruch Hashem, all students are safe and sound. One AMIT mission group from Ron Arad in Rehovot is currently in Poland. We are in direct contact with the group and with the Ministry of Education to monitor developments. One student from AMIT Bar-Ilan Petach Tikva is participating in a STEM mission in Romania. We are in close contact with the student, program organizers, and the family.
Senior management convened immediately again after Shabbat and activated our pre-planned “War Room” management structure to assess next steps. As of now, government guidelines mandate a nationwide shutdown through Monday, 8:00PM, at which point the situation will be reassessed. All schools are currently closed. Today was meant to be a day of Purim celebrations in our schools. Instead, we are broadcasting special AMITTV programming for all our schools to provide connection and strength for our students in place of in-person festivities.
Looking ahead, one significant advantage is our Gogya learning methodology. The structured pathways model, particularly the independent and discovery tracks, allow students to continue learning remotely in a meaningful way. Each student has secure access and can maintain routine academic continuity from home. If closures extend, we are well positioned to activate this programming fully, likely by midweek.
On Sunday we received the tragic news of the murder of AMIT alumnus Gavriel Baruch Revach who was killed in the Beit Shemesh missile attack. Gavriel was a student of AMIT Jerusalem. We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of this talented young man who was known by many of our Beit Hayeled and AMIT USA staff.
We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as the situation evolves.
May the coming days bring clarity, stability, and only besorot tovot.
