AMIT Eitan in Ma’ale Adumim won the National Education Award from the Ministry of Education. The award was given to the school for promoting education towards values and social excellence, social and civic involvement, and giving back to the community.
The organization of teachers in high schools has been holding the Education Award project for 20 years, with the aim of encouraging schools to promote educational values in accordance with basic values in Israeli society, as defined in the Declaration of Independence and in accordance with education goals in Israel.
The award was presented to the school’s principal, Daniel Be’eri, in a ceremony in the presence of MK Rabbi Rafi Peretz, Director General of the Ministry of Education, Shmuel Abuhav, Ma’ale Adumim Mayor, Benny Kasriel, and Chairman of the Teachers’ Association, Ran Erez.
Amit Eitan School won the award as a certificate of excellence for extraordinary work in the field of voluntary initiatives and activities and for the systemic approach to educating students for social and civic involvement and contribution to the community. As part of the school’s initiatives, the students adopted the family of Shir Hajaj. Twelfth grade students hold weekly Torah lessons at the family home, 11th grade students lead discussion circles and memorial ceremonies in memory of Shir and 9th-10th grade students at the school take part in collecting food and packaging it for the organization “Shir” that helps low-income families in the city.
In addition, students in grades 9-10 embark on a meaningful trip and journey that they lead from the planning stages to the implementation, including: guiding, building a menu and preparing food, coordinating a visit to sites, ceremonies, and meeting inspirational figures. On this journey, many students who are not usually leaders feel empowered.
In addition, the Beit Moreshet Beit Midrash operates within the school, with 15 post high school students who dedicate themselves to engaging in education, learning and incorporating volunteer work with the school’s students. One of the members founded the youth movement “Place in the Heart” which operates in the school and grows leadership.
The mayor, Benny Kasriel, praised the school, which leads its students to academic and value excellence, promotes values and community involvement among them and pushes them to reach their full potential. “The students at the school hold a weekly Torah lesson to uplift the soul of the late Shir Hajaj, assist in the activities of the association in her memory and contribute to the Ma’ale Adumim community. It’s not taken for granted. “These are done during their free time, and they choose to contribute, influence and do good,” said Kasriel.
The principal of the school, Daniel Be’eri, said that “I am grateful for the privilege of representing the AMIT Eitan community and receiving the award for promoting values and community involvement by the teachers’ organization. I thank G-d and I am happy that your hard work is being recognized and appreciated. This award is for every man and woman on the team, and for every student and parent. The school has such a wonderful group of special staff, who feel a sense of mission towards the students, and I am so excited that all your daily, hard work is receiving the proper thanks.”
The mayor and education portfolio holder, Benny Kasriel, congratulated the school principal, Daniel Be’eri, the educational staff, parents and students on the award, and said that, “The win is the result of the school’s professional, values-based great work, led by Daniel Be’eri. It is a source of pride for the entire education system. Our education system continues to lead, enjoy wonderful achievements and gain recognition as one of the best and highest quality education systems in the country. We will continue to invest in our future generation, we will continue to give them the best tools. We believe in instilling values, cultivating a social and values-based environment and in encouraging students to engage socially and in civically and to contribute to the community. A big Yasher Koach.
They also won a prize from the city for having the highest percentage of students (who are eligible) who have been vaccinated or recovered from Corona. In most schools in the city the average has been 70%, while in AMIT Eitan, they have reached 91%.
And AMIT Eitan was also in the news after four students won an award for excellence in Aliyah and welcoming those who made Aliyah. One of the students, Eliya Amsalem, made Aliyah from Bogota, Columbia, in the middle of a Corona lockdown. He has not only successfully acclimated thanks to his friends at AMIT Eitan, he was also chosen to represent the school for the Divrei Torah booklet Reshet AMIT is putting out.
