The Israel Hayom Education Conference "A Call for Change" commenced Monday with prominent figures including Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Teachers Union Secretary-General Yafa Ben David, "Atid" Education Network CEO Yossi Memo, Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities Chaim Bibas, former Culture and Sports Minister MK Chili Tropper, local authorities leaders, CEO and founder of HaShomer HaChadash organization Yoel Zilberman, and Nirim Association CEO Nirit Tal Shamir.
Yoel Zilberman, New Guard CEO and founder with over 500 reserve duty days, spoke with Israel Hayom reporter Yifat Erlich while in full IDF uniform.
Q: We want to talk about the day after, even though the war keeps dragging on. When we look at the young people who fought and performed so well, we had serious doubts about this generation, the "screen generation", but we discovered they're absolutely extraordinary. Now I'm looking at the even younger kids, those who were in school and are about to enlist soon, kids who were in 12th grade or younger. How do we reach them? It seems like they're living with this feeling of "wait, where do we fit in?"
"The war demolished decades of research completely. I consumed studies explaining this generation's weakness – screen addiction, pornography, drugs, predicting they'd flee during crisis. The war demonstrated unequivocally that we have an exceptional generation. I formed a unit of four battalions, average age 48 – fathers whose sons died in battle," Zilberman stated.
"I spent an entire night in Syria with Noam, a mustachioed youth resembling a bar mitzvah boy, discussing battles at Kisufim and Nirim. He fought months in Gaza, then Lebanon, before joining me in Syria. I concluded that night, tearful, questioning how to prove worthy of such a person."
Q: Aren't we already seeing the morale crash after the initial high?
"Early indicators exist. If society demonstrates what merits dying for, it must show what deserves living for. Missing this opportunity is unacceptable," Zilberman responded.
"Youth matured magnificently, primarily through home influences. Now we must establish definitive national objectives. Every direction reveals reconstruction needs. We require a century-long perspective. The war confirmed Kishinev pogroms remain contemporary threats – they pulse within us."
Q: I'm looking at you and seeing the connection between the army and education. I want to ask a heretical question. This actually came from my daughter's teacher at the war's beginning. I asked her how much they talk in class about what's happening. She told me they don't. If the girls ask, they answer. But we believe we need to give children a routine. The girls encounter the war at home, on screens, and more. You're saying something else. You're saying we should integrate these challenges into education. You want to introduce national service missions starting at age 14, maybe even earlier. But doesn't this come at a cost? Shouldn't we let children just be children?
"Children possess inherent joy. Youth primarily requires personal examples. Educational environments need gentleness and supportive frameworks, but ultimately, youth demand inspiration. They need positive direction, understanding their future leadership roles," Zilberman clarified.
"Youth demonstrate greater awareness than we recognize. When educators avoid discussions, children engage privately. Educators can guide deeper conversations. Education's purpose isn't denying reality. We're in the Middle East – not everything is rosy. Jews face existential threats globally. This doesn't eliminate childhood. Enjoyment remains obligatory, but choosing goodness often requires sacrificing comfort. Youth grasp this through worldly engagement."
"We established requirements that every Guard trainee creates new settlements, practicing state-building. Through such practice, they'll contribute to governmental systems," he added.
"Growing up in Moshav Tzippori taught me lessons about herding. Traditionally, when leading herds, you block escape routes with sticks. My grandfather taught that wisdom involves following herds, gently guiding directions. Education follows similar principles – primarily avoiding interference."
