Students, staff and graduates from WIZO's five youth villages and three schools, along with dignitaries from Israel’s educational, cultural and governmental circles gathered at CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village in Even Yehuda on June 17th for a festive event which celebrated education and showcased WIZO's life-changing impact on its students for the benefit of Israeli society.
Just four days prior, the hosting school, CHW Hadassim, was awarded Israel's most prestigious educational prize – the National Education Excellence Award by Israel’s Minister of Education, MK. Naftali Bennett, who also recorded a special congratulatory video message shown at the event.
Click here to read more about CHW’s prestigious award: wizo-news/news/chw-hadassim-wins-national-educational-excellence-award.html
The dignitaries who attended the event included: World WIZO Chairperson, Prof. Rivka Lazovsky, MKs Karin Elharar, Eitan Broshi, and Nurit Koren, Head of the Local Authority of Even Yehuda, Avi Harari, members of the World WIZO and WIZO Israel Executive and WIZO school directors and professional staff.
MK Karin Elharar spoke about the wonderful work WIZO does:
During the event, students from each of WIZO’s schools and youth villages presented their special talents, everything ranging from song and dance to baking and fashion design.
Students from WIZO Nir Ha'Emek's Police Cadet Program
Students from the WIZO Municipal Technological High School in Rehovot model their self-designed hats
WIZO’s school’s and youth village span the country. They are: WIZO Ahuzat Yeladim in Haifa, WIZO Rebecca Sieff Center Vocational School in Jerusalem, WIZO Municipal Technological High School in Rehovot, WIZO Nachlat Yehuda Youth Village in Rishon LeZion, CHW Community and Comprehensive School in Nahalal, WIZO Nir Ha’Emek Youth Village in Afula, CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village in Even Yehuda and WIZO Gan VaNof Youth Village in Petach Tikva.
Left to right: Dr. Ora Landa (Assistant Director, World WIZO Education Division), Michal Rotem (Director, World WIZO Education Division), Yossi Saragossi (Director, WIZO Ahuzat Yeladim), Moshe Bitman (Supervisor of Pedagogic Program, World WIZO), Esti Cohen (Director, WIZO Nir Ha'Emek Youth Village), Galia Aleph (Director, WIZO Nahalal), Prof. Rivka Lazovsky (Chairperson of World WIZO), Pnina Gefen (Director, WIZO Nachalat Yehuda Youth Village), Dr. Camela Dekel (Chairperson, World WIZO Education Division), Ze'ev Twito (Director, CHW Hadassim Youth Village), Uri Saar (Director, WIZO Gan Va'Nof Youth Village), Kobi Hillel (Director, WIZO Beit Hakerem Vocational School)
“It was so heartwarming to be able to share the results of the hard work and dedication of all our wonderful schools and youth villages,” Ze’ev Twitto, Director of CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village said. “In the presentations, we were able to showcase WIZO's impact on our students, which ensures their bright future.
“As the State of Israel celebrates its 70th anniversary and WIZO its 98th birthday, this wonderful event highlighted the great contribution that WIZO has made, and continues to make, in the embrace, education and empowerment of Israel’s youth,” World WIZO Chairperson Prof. Rivka Lazovsky said. “Throughout the years, WIZO's five youth villages and three schools have cared for and educated generations of youth from all sectors of Israeli society, preparing even the weakest children for success, teaching them to be the very best version of themselves. Because every child needs someone to believe in them. Their success is our reward.”
Photo Credits: Raanan Cohen