Ahead of the Second Anniversary of the Iron Swords War:

WIZO and the Ministry of Education Launch the Educational Program “I Am Here”

As Israel approaches the second anniversary of the Iron Swords War, the Ministry of Education and WIZO are joining forces to launch a groundbreaking educational initiative: “I Am Here, We Are Here.”

Developed in collaboration between the Ministry’s Division of Content, Programs and Training, the Youth and Society Administration, and WIZO’s Education Division, the program offers an interactive toolkit for high school students across Israel’s formal and informal education systems.

A Unique Educational Response

The toolkit, released as part of the official activity plan marking the commemoration of October 7, includes five innovative digital learning units. Each unit explores a different dimension of processing the personal and collective experiences of the Iron Swords War—focusing on strengthening personal and social resilience, cultivating identity, and deepening a sense of belonging.

The program builds on WIZO’s original “I Am Here” initiative, developed in the months following October 7 as part of a renewed educational vision that sought to create a relevant language for the role of education in this era. Over the past year, “I Am Here” has included lectures and workshops in schools and youth frameworks across the country. By adopting this model and co-developing the new toolkit, the Ministry of Education has ensured its availability to all students in both state and state-religious education.

Listening to the Voices of Youth

The partnership reflects a shared belief that Israel’s youth are not only the future but also key partners in the country’s recovery and resilience today.

A nationwide survey conducted by WIZO one year after October 7 underscores this:

• 61% of teens reported feeling more connected to the State since the war began.
• 45% expressed optimism about the future.
• 59% believe they have the power to bring about significant change in Israeli society.
• 48% said they experienced compassion toward people they did not know—evidence of the social and communal strength of this generation.

These findings highlight a deep sense of commitment among Israeli youth and a choice to grow out of crisis rather than succumb to it.

A Shared Responsibility

WIZO explains that the program was designed from the conviction that youth are not only learners but also central partners in rebuilding and strengthening Israeli society. “I Am Here” emphasizes the possibility of growth through difficulty, and the resilience to rise above challenges.

The toolkit provides teachers, educators, and youth leaders with meaningful resources to help students process their experiences, recognize sources of personal and collective strength, and strengthen hope and confidence in their ability to shape Israel’s future.

Gadi Yaakov, Head of WIZO’s Education Division, explains:
“The ‘I Am Here’ initiative was born out of our educational and social responsibility at WIZO: to help young people understand their experiences, identify their strengths, and turn personal struggle into a lever for growth. By joining forces with the Ministry of Education, we can bring these tools and activities to many more students, in both formal and informal education. Together, we are ensuring that the younger generation not only copes with crisis, but also grows from it and helps build a stronger society for the future.”

Why This Partnership Matters

This collaboration between WIZO and the Ministry of Education is more than symbolic—it ensures that every teenager in Israel, regardless of background, has access to tools that promote resilience, belonging, and hope. By uniting resources and expertise, the two organizations are shaping an educational response that acknowledges pain while empowering youth to play an active role in healing and rebuilding society.

As Israel prepares to mark two years since October 7, “I Am Here, We Are Here” is a reminder that the strength of the nation lies not only in remembrance, but also in preparing its youth to rise, rebuild, and lead the way forward.