The Israeli air force is considered among the best in the world, and three AMIT alumni recently joined its ranks after completing their flight course and earning their coveted wings.
Two of the freshly decorated pilots are graduates of Yeshivat AMIT Kfar Ganim, and both have named teachers at the school as the most influential people in their lives. Y., a member of Kfar Ganim’s seventh graduating class, expressed his appreciation for literature teacher Miri Westreich, and invited her to the ceremony at Hatzerim Air Force Base, where she met the commander of the air force, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin.
Y., who was an outstanding student in the physics track, was greatly influenced by his literary studies. He and another class member approached the school’s management and Miri and asked to create a bagrut level 5 literature course. The students came together and studied hard with Miri’s help passed the five-point bagrut exam with high marks.
C., the second graduate of the same class, also chose a teacher, Rabbi Yoni Difni from the yeshiva, as the most influential person in his life.
The third graduate to complete the prestigious air force course is A., an alumnus of AMIT Gwen Straus Jr. & Sr. Science High School for Boys, who also invited the school’s principal and one of his teachers to the ceremony.
A., who immigrated to Israel from England when he was 2, completed high school as an honors student, studied at yeshiva for a year and a half, and then enlisted in the army. He trained as a combat navigator in the air force.
Rabbi Amir Pearlman, who taught A. for two years at Gwen Straus, was moved when he received the invitation to attend the ceremony in which his former student earned his wings.
“Meeting A. on the tarmac for the wings ceremony was inspiring and moving. A. and his colleagues are following a path of growth, both human and values-wise. I am pleased that I have been able to accompany them along part of this path.”
Rabbi Sagi Rosenbaum, principal of AMIT Gwen Straus’ science and technology track, who was also invited to the ceremony, said that he is thanksful that A. has stayed in touch with his teachers and friends from the school. “We congratulate him on his achievement and on his choosing such meaningful army service,” he said.
The ceremony at Hatzerim was also attended by such dignitaries as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, IDF Chief of Staff.
“You underwent a three year-long journey that molded your character and trained you for the complex missions for which you are responsible,” Lieberman told the graduates. “We trust you to protect us from above.”
