Thousands of families in Northern and Southern Israel are facing the harsh realities of evacuation, away from their homes for over seven months. This period presents an enormous challenge, as maintaining a semblance of normalcy in such abnormal circumstances is no small feat. In these trying times, Israeli schools have become beacons of stability and hope, providing guidance, support, and leadership to their communities.
Schools as Guiding Compasses
The educational and management teams of ORT schools are demonstrating exceptional leadership, managing both the logistical and psychological challenges of evacuation. Their efforts to keep school communities intact and functioning are nothing short of heroic. From securing necessary equipment to ensuring children receive nutritious meals, they are creating the best possible environment for learning and growth under the circumstances.
Many ORT schools have had to relocate. Some are being hosted by other ORT schools in Tiberias, while others have found refuge in universities, colleges, or even rented temporary office spaces. This situation has showcased the creative and leadership skills of our staff at their finest.
ORT Yeshiva School, Tiberias
Students’ art exhibition in one of Tiberian ORT schools, dedicated to the Iron Swords War and the events of October 7th.
Tiberias view, from ORT Be’Maale School
International Support and Collaboration
Amidst this turmoil, a beacon of hope has emerged from an unexpected quarter. The team from the Office of the State of North-Rhine Westphalia for Economy, Science, Education, Youth, and Culture in Israel reached out to ORT, asking how they could support our affected schools. This initiative led to the visit of Ms. Janine Gielis, who came to Israel to assess the needs of our evacuated schools and explore potential support avenues.
A collaboration meeting between ORT and North-Rhine Westphalia Office managers.
A Heartfelt Visit
Ms. Gielis, who oversees the “We, the Six Million” project during regular times—organizing exhibitions dedicated to Jewish life in pre-WWII Germany—has taken on the crucial task of understanding and supporting our current needs. Together with Alona Kletsel (Allesh), ORT’s Head of International Business Development and Marketing, she met with education leaders from the affected northern schools.
During these meetings, principals, senior management staff, teachers, and students shared their daily challenges. The primary concerns revolved around planning for the next academic year amidst uncertainty regarding school locations and equipment, potential escalations in conflict, and the mental health of children, parents, and staff who continue to endure rocket attacks on their home cities. Despite these hardships, the schools are committed to ensuring students achieve good grades and reach their matriculation exams, securing a promising future for their academic and career paths.
“Hearing the personal stories of the students who are relocated was absolutely heartbreaking. It is very admirable how motivated they are to go to school, even though they are worried about what happens to their hometown every day. They miss their friends, and their lives in the hotels are not always easy and come with a lot of daily challenges. The area managers, principals and teachers do absolutely everything they can to help these students in any way possible and go even beyond their usual duties as educators to make the situation a little more bearable,” noted Ms. Gielis.
A Touching Exchange
The representatives from our schools were deeply moved by the attention and empathy shown by Ms. Gielis and her team. The visit fostered a sense of solidarity and opened up a dialogue on various support initiatives. Ideas ranged from organizing retreats for teachers to sending student delegations to Germany, and providing essential equipment like laptops or creating music and cooking workshops to engage students in productive and enjoyable activities.
Looking Forward with Gratitude
“We have witnessed unprecedented leadership abilities and resilience from our ORT team during these challenging times,” noted Alona Kletsel. “We are profoundly grateful for the kindness and concern shown by the representatives of the German office. Their willingness to listen and support us has been incredibly heartening.”
Janine Gielis & Alona Kletsel (Allesh)
As we navigate these unprecedented times, the resilience, creativity, and leadership demonstrated by our schools, coupled with the support from our international partners, remind us that together, we can overcome any obstacle. We look forward to continuing this collaboration, confident that it will lead to many more opportunities for growth and connection in the future.
In these times of adversity, our commitment to education and community remains unwavering. We are inspired by the strength of our schools and the kindness of our friends from North-Rhine Westphalia.