Amal Educational Network Faces Unprecedented Challenges as New School Year Begins

The past school year was overshadowed by the most challenging period in the network’s history: Just five weeks into the academic year, Israel was thrust into a prolonged war following a surprise attack by Hamas, marking the beginning of the longest war the country has known since its founding.

The Amal community has had a heavy burden during this time, with the loss of  members—primarily alumni—from all segments of Israeli society. Among them were two Druze senior officers, a Bedouin soldier, and many Jewish Israeli soldiers, among them was Moshal Shlomo, a 33-year-old Yamam officer, a former student from the Amal Yigal Alon school in Ramla, whose school currently organizes a crowd funding campaign to build an educational facility for his memory. The network also felt the pain of two alumni being taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th. While one, Almog Meir Jan, was recently rescued in a heroic IDF operation, the other, Matan Zangauker, remains captive, nearly a year after being abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

In Ofakim, a city where Amal operates three schools, the trauma runs deep. The city lost 50 residents on October 7th, leaving a profound impact on its youth. Aware of the immense emotional toll, Karen Tal and her pedagogical team have worked tirelessly to ensure that every student returns to school, providing the emotional and social support that is so desperately needed in these times.

Thanks to philanthropic support, Amal has equipped students with computers for distance and personalized learning, designed common spaces for therapy and relief and was responsive to every principal request for his school and community, ensuring that education continues despite the challenges. The need for secure, protected spaces remains critical, and Amal continues to seek additional funds to ensure the safety of its schools.

Throughout this difficult year, the resilience of Amal’s students and educational staff has been remarkable. One such story is that of Ofir Levy, the principal of Amal Max Paine School in Tel Aviv. A former combat soldier, Levy was called to serve in the reserves, leaving his school behind. During his absence, a rocket struck a classroom at his school. Upon his return, alongside renovations, he dedicated himself and his staff to social and emotional activities to help the students cope with the trauma, including organizing a fashion show in June dedicated to the hostages—a testament to his unwavering commitment. Another inspiring story is that of Carmit Pizam, a teacher at Amal Ein Harod School, whose son, Shai Uriel, fell in Gaza. Despite her grief, and with the support of her school principal, Carmit took up the position of 7th-grade coordinator, fulfilling her son’s dream of pursuing a teaching career and becoming a school principal.

As Amal embarks on the 2024-2025 school year, the network remains steadfast in its commitment to overcoming these challenges. This year, Amal will focus on rebuilding Israeli society through education, with a renewed dedication to transforming itself into Israel’s first State Democratic Network. By emphasizing identity building, school-community strengthening, and civic knowledge, values and skills, Amal aims to heal the trauma of recent events and reinforce resilience among students and staff. The network is also pro-active in advocating for a ceasefire and a deal to bring back all hostages, and it prays for the safe return of all those held captive and those displaced by the war. As we hope for the timely opening of the school year, let this year mark the beginning of a new chapter in Israeli reality, one where education paves the way for a more hopeful future.