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."

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This legislation delivers substantial benefits to the Orthodox Jewish community throughout the United States. "This represents the largest federal educational program ever implemented," stated Nathan Diament, who serves as director of the Orthodox Union's advocacy center.

How it works

The legislation becomes effective in 2027 and enables donors to claim a 100% tax credit on contributions up to $1,700 to scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations will allocate funds to families for tuition expenses at private and religious institutions, including Jewish schools and yeshivas.

The strategic benefit lies in the fact that while donors cannot specify individual families, they can target their contributions to particular schools or school networks, enabling religious communities to bolster their educational institutions.

Transformative financial implications

Paul Bernstein, who leads the Jewish school support network "Prizma" as CEO, projects that the program will address "most scholarship requirements" for numerous Jewish schools nationwide. "We view this program as a pivotal catalyst for expanding Jewish education accessibility," he explained.

Although the law has been signed, the campaign continues. Multiple states must determine whether to implement the program, creating additional political mobilization opportunities. "The struggle extends beyond the law's enactment," explained Sidney Altfeld, director of the National Coalition for Education, "states must embrace the program, and we stand prepared to spearhead this initiative."

Public education advocates oppose the legislation, claiming it threatens public education funding and compromises church-state separation. Conversely, supporters maintain the law enables families to pursue religious education previously financially unattainable.

The legislation signifies a profound transformation in American federal education policy. Although over 20 states currently implement independent voucher programs or tax credits, this represents the federal government's inaugural offering of nationwide tax incentives for private education support.

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"They were recovered in a special military operation in the area of Khan Yunis. We will continue operating until our remaining 56 hostages are returned. May their memories be a blessing," the IDF said on X. 

News of their deaths reached the family in December 2023, though the announcements came days apart. Kibbutz Nir Oz initially confirmed that Gadi Haggai had been murdered on October 7 and his body was being held captive, followed approximately one week later by confirmation of Judi Weinstein's death.

Weinstein, 70, devoted her career to education as an English teacher who specialized in working with children facing special needs and attention challenges. She provided therapeutic support to young people experiencing anxiety related to the ongoing security threats in Gaza border communities, using meditation and mindfulness approaches in her work.

Judi and Gad Haggai were beloved parents, grandparents, and members of Kibbutz Nir Oz. They were held hostage for 608 days by terrorists in Gaza.

On October 7, 2023, while taking their daily morning walk around the kibbutz, they were murdered and abducted.

Judi, a devoted… pic.twitter.com/Y0iot0Fbyp

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 5, 2025

Beyond teaching, Weinstein pursued creative writing as a poet and launched business ventures as an entrepreneur. Her husband Gadi brought music to their community as an accomplished wind instrument musician while maintaining his connection to agriculture and promoting healthy vegan eating habits and athletic pursuits.

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A country surrounded by enemies, where roughly half of the children receive a third-world education – and belong to the fastest-growing segments of the population – will struggle to exist economically, socially, and security-wise when these children become half, and later the majority of the adults. The third-world economy they would be able to sustain won't support first-world health, welfare, or security systems. Without an advanced ability to defend itself in the planet's most violent region, we won't become a third-world country. We simply won't exist.

Since 2006, the average achievement level of Israeli children in all PISA exams in mathematics, science, and reading was below those of all developed nations. It's important to emphasize that this low score was achieved without ultra-Orthodox boys, who do not study the material and do not participate in the exams. Had they been tested, the national achievement level would have been even lower.

Students in Israel's secular schools score below the majority (57%) of OECD countries, while those in the religious (non-Haredi) schools score below 80% of OECD countries. The achievement level of Israel's Arabic-speaking students is below that of many third-world countries. In the most recent PISA exam, held in 2022, Arabic speakers in Israel scored below three of the six Arab countries that participated in the test.

Last year, 22% of Israel's first graders were in Haredi schools, another 22% in Arabic-speaking schools, and many others in the secular and religious streams studied in Israel's geographical and social peripheries. In other words, about half of Israeli children – belonging to the country's fastest-growing population groups – are currently receiving a third-world education. Already today, only 20% of the population pay 90% of the nation's income a (a slow, but steady, increase from 83% about two decades ago), while half of the population is so poor that they don't pay any income tax at all. We need these people. Providing them with a first-world education will not only benefit them directly, it will also greatly ease the burden on the few who currently carry it.

In the case of the Haredim, this is a group that's doubling its share of the population every 25 years – every generation. That is, their share of the population isn't just growing; it's growing at an accelerating rate. There aren't many adult Haredim today. They are only 6% of the 50-54-year-old age group. But this group's grandchildren, aged 0-4, already constitute 26% of all toddlers (and in just another 25 years, they will be half of Israel's toddlers). Tomorrow, they will be in school, and on the day after, in the workforce and the IDF – or not. What will happen then depends on what we do – or don't do – today.

There's a demographic-democratic point of no return, after which it will be impossible to pass necessary laws and regulations that are already extremely difficult to adopt today. But if we don't take advantage of the small public awareness window that opened during the most terrible year since Israel's birth, we may no longer be able to change course, and the fate of our children and grandchildren will be sealed.

Below is the Israel 2.0 Roadmap, followed by an action plan on how to bring Israel from its current trajectory to one that will be sustainable in the future. To many, this roadmap will seem unrealistic, and the action plan no less so. But if we don't begin to focus on and address Israel's root underlying problems, Israel will cease to exist. I'm counting on the Israeli ability to deal with anything, to accomplish what seems impossible before it's done (for example, intercepting the largest ballistic missile attacks in history, a nearly complete neutralization of Hezbollah's command and control within a day) when we face the greatest threats together.

Israel 2.0 Roadmap

1. The key to national change of direction is a complete overhaul of Israel's education system. A significant upgrade in the core curriculum for all Israeli children, with special emphasis on the weaker parts of society. We need them, and they need the opportunities that will open up for them when they receive a first-world education. Given the dismal state of the country's entire education system, this overhaul should focus on all Israeli children rather than being directed at the Haredim – though it must include all Haredi children, without exception.
2. An overhaul of budgetary priorities will incentivize compliance with the education overhaul. As Israel will need to allocate tens of billions of shekels to restore and restock the army, and tens of billions more to rebuild the country's northern and southern regions, and the lives that were shattered, there won't be surpluses for sectoral and personal purposes. This will necessitate, among other things, a complete cessation of direct and indirect funding (a) for schools that won't teach the upgraded core curriculum in its entirety, and (b) for lifestyles of non-work.
3. Reforming Israel's system of government will enable the implementation of the education and budgetary overhauls. A government with few ministers, but those who actually understand what their ministries do. An executive branch with the ability to implement and enforce, alongside independent legislative and judicial branches, with checks and balances among all three branches of government.
4. Drafting and passing a constitution that will firmly entrench the basic rules for the road ahead. While rapid demographic changes will allow the population in a few decades to undo the changes in the constitution and the system of government, the hope is that an upgraded education system in Israel will have done its part during these decades, and future generations will not want to turn back the clock to the reality that we currently live in.

How can the Israel 2.0 Roadmap be implemented? In the last elections, about one million people voted for the Haredi political parties and the political parties headed Itamar by Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and Avi Maoz. Another half million voted for the Arab-Israeli parties. Over three million voted for the remaining political parties, including Likud. Even after excluding the Bibi cult in Likud, there's still a solid majority in Israel that understands what's at stake. The basis for changing the Titanic's direction requires that this majority stop quarreling over the placement of deck chair, take the helm, and lead us to safe shores. To that end, the following work plan is no less ambitious than the Israel 2.0 Roadmap.

An action plan for implementing the Israel 2.0 Roadmap

1. All opposition leaders must unite in one large across-the-board umbrella party, a kind of civilian IDF that brings together the full spectrum of Israeli society to defend the country and save its future.
2. This united party should run on a single platform that is based solely on the four cornerstones of the Israel 2.0 Roadmap.
3. Full implementation of the Roadmap within the party's first year in power.
4. At the end of the first year, dissolve the Knesset, disband the party, and go to elections under the new system of government.

This is the only way for us to bridge between left and right, religious and secular, and lead nationwide protests on a scale the country has not yet known – mobilization of the large employers, alongside the masses, to shut down the economy – and put an end to a government leading us straight into the iceberg.

Only together can we steer Israel onto a path that is not just sustainable, but also a warning to our enemies and a light unto the nations, showing how a democracy fights for its life and succeeds.

Prof. Dan Ben-David heads the Shoresh Institution for Socioeconomic Research and is an economist at Tel Aviv University's Department of Public Policy. Additional details on Israel's direction and what can be done to change it may be found in the Shoresh Institution's website.

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Education ranks first among the fields where the brightest sons and daughters of the national religious sector are encouraged to contribute, according to a comprehensive survey conducted in July for Beit HaTzionut HaDatit (House of Religious Zionism). In response to the question "Where should the best go?", "education and social work" was chosen by the largest share of respondents (approximately 37%). The fields of law, media, public and political activity, defense, and religious engagement followed closely behind.

The emphasis on education, even during a time of prolonged and intense warfare that has underscored the severity of the security challenges and amid profound crises in law, media, and the economy, highlights the recognition of its pivotal role. It reflects a deep understanding that education is the key to every area: Leadership, security, science and technology, economic prosperity, culture, and social cohesion. The eternal nation not only does not fear a long journey but believes that only through education can true influence be achieved, a nation be built, and a model society for the future be created.

The devastating war that began on Simchat Torah 2023 continues to shake us, dismantling long-held assumptions and historical paradigms. It forces a profound reckoning with the essence of the state and the unique destiny of our people among the nations. This war has brought us back to foundational values and reminded us – a truth we sought to escape – that we are still fighting for our very survival.

The atrocities, terror, and dread of the monstrous attack that struck us without warning, followed by the sorrow, grief, and heavy price paid, have been tempered by extraordinary stories of courage and heroism. Astonishing self-sacrifice and unprecedented bravery emerged from "ordinary" citizens and soldiers who heard the call and answered, "Here I am." Our enemies, who expected to find a fractured nation and a weakened army, instead encountered heroes of unyielding spirit and strength – young fighters who revealed the true character of this generation: a generation of valor.

When we ask what shaped these young individuals and instilled in them the values that inspired their heroism, the role of the education system cannot be overlooked. This is not to diminish the profound influence of the home and family, where the roots are first planted, nor the role of community, youth movements, or military service, where the IDF instills these values deeply. Yet preceding all of this are the efforts and investment of the education system — in classrooms, schoolyards, educational trips that connect youth to the land and society, and various social-educational frameworks.

Just days after the education system was once again in the headlines following the concerning results of the 2023 TIMSS international mathematics and science exam, it is important to highlight its role in our resilience during the far greater test of the past 14 months. (This does not absolve the system of its obligation to act urgently to improve performance in mathematics and science, fields that are vital for Israel's future.)

The education system carries the nation's most critical responsibility: building the next generations!

It is tasked with fostering excellence and encouraging achievement in both the scientific and humanities fields. Without excellence in science, Israel will struggle to maintain its status as a startup and innovation powerhouse, strengthen its capabilities (including military), finance its many needs, and ensure a high standard of living. Without excellence in the humanities, Israeli society will falter in preserving its spiritual and moral strength, refining its identity, and answering the question, "National security – for what purpose?" The system must cultivate graduates who possess values, knowledge, and skills that enable them to develop as independent, educated individuals with emotional and social resilience, maximize their potential with a sense of purpose, and contribute to society, the community, and the state.

Within the national-religious public, this mission is viewed as a sacred duty, fulfilling the commandment to "teach them to your children." Here, the education system is expected to instill awe of heaven, a love for Torah and commandments, and the tools to strengthen Jewish and faith-based identity. It must produce graduates who are idealistic, state-minded, proud of their identity, and committed to preserving the Jewish character of the state, the unity of the people of Israel, and the settlement of the land. These graduates must skillfully balance between the sacred and the secular, Torah and work, tradition and modernity, and religion and state.

This mission must be accomplished in a reality marked by confusion, instability, and blurred boundaries between truth and falsehood, weakened authority, technological advancement, tension, polarization, diversity, and separatism. The education system absorbs all social disparities and ideological conflicts, yet it also has the power to influence them, promoting tolerance, openness, solidarity, and a shared sense of purpose.

Within the national-religious public, this mission is viewed as a sacred duty, fulfilling the commandment to "teach them to your children." Here, the education system is expected to instill awe of heaven, a love for Torah and commandments, and the tools to strengthen Jewish and faith-based identity. It must produce graduates who are idealistic, state-minded, proud of their identity, and committed to preserving the Jewish character of the state, the unity of the people of Israel, and the settlement of the land. These graduates must skillfully balance between the sacred and the secular, Torah and work, tradition and modernity, and religion and state.

The challenges facing the education system are immense. These include fundamental questions regarding its philosophy, structure, and processes; planning and budgeting; integrating technological innovation into teaching; upgrading learning environments; and improving its relationship with other related systems. Above all, there remains the fight for quality human capital.

The importance of education is universally acknowledged. The understanding within the National-Religious public that now is the time for its brightest youth to enter education presents a valuable opportunity. While it is not sufficient on its own, it is a strong starting point from which to advance complementary, practical steps.

Meir Ben Shabbat is head of the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy, in Jerusalem, and chairman of the public council of Beit HaTzionut HaDatit. He served as National Security Adviser from 2017 to 2021.

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Israeli universities have once again demonstrated their world-class caliber, with three institutions ranking among the top 100 academic institutions globally. The Weizmann Institute of Science, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa have all clinched positions in the 2024 Shanghai Ranking, widely regarded as one of the most authoritative global university rankings.

Leading the Israeli contingent, the Weizmann Institute secured the 69th spot worldwide, slipping just one place from last year's ranking. It's noteworthy that the Weizmann Institute exclusively offers graduate programs, setting it apart from its peers.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem made significant strides, climbing to 81st place in the ranking of the world's best universities. This advancement crowns it as the highest-ranked Israeli institution offering undergraduate degrees. Last year, the Hebrew University stood at 86th place, trailing behind the Technion in the rankings.

This year, the Technion holds the 85th position on the list of the world's best academic institutions, a slight drop from its 79th place last year. However, it maintains a strong 11th place among the world's leading technological universities. The Shanghai Ranking is widely acknowledged as the gold standard for assessing higher education institutions globally.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has climbed five places this year, now ranking 81st among the top 100 universities worldwide according to the 2024 Shanghai Ranking!

Professor Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University: "The presence of three Israeli universities in the… pic.twitter.com/0UGfSRGQET

— Hebrew University (@HebrewU) August 15, 2024

The top three spots were claimed by US powerhouses: Harvard University, Stanford University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively. Published annually, the Shanghai Ranking is revered for its reliability in academic circles. The rankings evaluate the quality of research at academic institutions based on various indicators, including the number of faculty members and graduates who have clinched Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, as well as the scope and quality of publications in leading journals. The comprehensive ranking covers approximately 2,500 universities. Among the top 100 institutions, 38 hail from the US, 14 from China, 8 from the UK, 5 from Australia, 4 each from France and Germany, 3 from Canada, and, as highlighted, 3 from Israel.

Professor Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, celebrated this achievement while also voicing concerns about the current state of Israeli academia. His remarks come against a backdrop of strained relations with Education Minister and Chair of the Council for Higher Education, Yoav Kisch, and looming budget cuts. "The presence of three Israeli universities in the list of the world's top 100 universities is an extraordinary feat, especially in such a challenging and complex year. The Hebrew University's rise to 81st place in the most prestigious international ranking is a testament to our unwavering commitment to groundbreaking research and pursuit of excellence," Professor Cohen stated.

He added, "We're immensely proud of and grateful to our researchers and administrative staff. Their dedication to advancing excellent research persists daily, despite internal and external challenges, in an era where some segments of society view scientific truth and human progress as arbitrary occurrences. We remain steadfast in our role as the preeminent civilian institution for Jerusalem, a cornerstone for the State of Israel, and a source of international pride."

Professor Uri Sivan, President of the Technion, echoed these sentiments: "Our consistent standing in the Shanghai Ranking reaffirms the Technion's position among the world's finest technological universities. The Technion, like its Israeli counterparts, competes on the global stage with universities that are often older, larger, and better-funded. Our success, even in this latest index summarizing 2023 – one of our most challenging years – is remarkable. The inclusion of three Israeli academic institutions in the world's top 100 universities list is a resounding endorsement of Israeli science and academia and a source of national pride."

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The annual education conference hosted by Israel Hayom convened Wednesday at the Atid Raziel Youth Village in Herzliya, focusing on the education system's preparedness for the new school year and examining the war's profound effects on Israeli youth. Broadcast live on Israel Hayom's digital platforms, the event brings together a diverse array of voices from the field, including educators, administrators, Ministry of Education officials, and students, all sharing firsthand accounts of the challenging past year.

The conference serves as a crucial platform for hearing from those on the front lines of education – professionals, teachers, and principals from across Israel, alongside Ministry of Education representatives and students offering unfiltered perspectives on the tumultuous past year.

In an interview with Israel Hayom's education correspondent Noam (Dabul) Dvir, Education Minister Yoav Kisch hinted that there could be complications as to whether the school  year starts smoothly, noting that his staff have "just concluded three weeks of intense negotiations with the Israel Teachers Union. We're now heading into a decisive meeting. The gaps extend beyond personal contracts... There are other unresolved issues that need to be addressed."

Kissh emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement: "We cannot allow the system to shut down at this critical juncture. We'll present a fair proposal to teachers, and I urge Ran Erez [who runs the union of high school and middle school teachers] to compromise. While he won't get everything, we'll offer an excellent package for parents that will enable us to start the school year under an emergency routine during wartime. Resorting to a strike would be utterly irresponsible."

Addressing the security situation, the minister said, "Israel should have sought a decisive outcome against Hezbollah last year. I see no way to safely return residents without an intense confrontation with Hezbollah. We are committed to bringing residents back to the north securely, and that will only happen through military action."

"Amid a leadership vacuum, individuals step up"

Opening the conference, Israel Hayom's Editor-in-Chief Omer Lachmanovitch reflected: "October 7 revealed the spirit of Israeli education in both life and death. We witnessed extraordinary Jewish solidarity in the southern communities under attack, and later throughout the ongoing campaigns in Gaza and the north. We've seen – and continue to see – unwavering dedication to the mission, massive waves of volunteerism, and a profound sense of mutual responsibility across civil society. In the face of a leadership crisis, we've watched individuals courageously step into the void and lead."

Lachmanovitch continued: "Israel Hayom, as a media organization deeply committed to national responsibility, views education as a cornerstone in Israel's journey to build and sustain an exemplary society. However, we must broaden our perspective on education beyond the confines of school walls. It's incumbent upon all of us to pursue continuous improvement and learning, thereby strengthening our communities, our society, our nation, and our people. As Janusz Korczak wisely noted, 'He who cares for days sows wheat, he who cares for years plants trees, he who cares for generations educates people.' We must think in generational terms and craft a vision for Israelis, especially in these challenging times."

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners who helped bring this vital conference to fruition. Special thanks to Yossi Mamo, CEO of the Atid Network, for our shared vision; to Avi Lugasi, director of the Atid Raziel Youth Village, our gracious host; to Ifat Ovadia-Luski, chairwoman of KKL-JNF; to Prof. Eliezer Shalev, president of Tel-Hai Academic College; and to Dr. Shira Hirsh, director of Escola at the Future Scientists Center.

"On a personal note, I'd like to express my appreciation to Amir Finkelstein, CEO of the Israel Hayom Group, and our exceptional conferences and events team, led by Or Dayan, for orchestrating this critical event that will benefit our youth and Israeli society as a whole," Lachmanovitch added.

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Limiting the number of words a user can highlight in digital reading materials can improve reading comprehension, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Waterloo.

Comprehension increased by 11% when participants were restricted to highlighting 150 words, compared to those with no restrictions.

The research received the Best Paper Award at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI).

Participants with limited highlighting scored higher on reading comprehension tests, as they focused on important parts of the text, using keywords and strategic highlighting, aligning with psychology theories suggesting constraints can promote creativity.

A web-based document reader was designed using React JS in JavaScript to track highlighted words and impose limits for the experiment with 127 participants. Limited highlighting did not increase mental demand, effort, or frustration.

Sources: phys.org, miragenews.com, uwaterloo.ca

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

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High ceilings in examination rooms and lower exam scores are correlated, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of South Australia. The researchers analyzed data from 15,400 students across three campuses between 2011-2019.

The study accounted for individual differences and prior coursework performance, suggesting that the effect was not due to student-specific factors.

Potential factors contributing to the poorer performance in high-ceilinged rooms include room scale, student density, poor insulation, fluctuating temperatures, and air quality.

Virtual reality experiments and electroencephalography (EEG) measurements suggested increased brain activity associated with focusing on difficult tasks in larger spaces, which may trigger a perception of the environment being more suitable for social gatherings than concentration.

Sources: Newsweek, ScienceDaily, Trust My Science, Newser, Business Insider, The Focus, News Medical, ES De Latino, Metro, InternewsCast, Mirage News, Foreign Affairs, University of South Australia

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

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1.

"Come speak with Darya's class," Hadas, the teacher, told me. "Share some life advice as they finish elementary school." The "Bereshit" school in Rehovot insists on calling itself an "educational home." And what a year they've had; such young students whose learning and play were interspersed with existential issues.

This week, Darya told me her generation has experienced more pandemics, wars, and alarms in their young lives than other generations. She stated it as fact, not complaint. In our conversations, I've noticed a historical awareness growing within her ("In thirty years, I'll tell my children that fields once stood where we walked"). I looked at her, wondering how to respond to a child with adult insights. You know, I said, it's precisely this thought that encourages me and assures me your generation will be better than ours – more resilient, unique, and profound. You will build the next floor of our lives here in the treasured land of our forefathers.

2.

I entered the classroom. The boys arrived breathless from their games while the girls sat with inner calm. I asked them to try to retain some of my words for the coming years. Words are seeds that need time to blossom and bear fruit. Perhaps you'll remember me decades from now, just as I recall something from finishing elementary school, right before leaving my childhood neighborhood, which until then seemed a distant star, to study at the Junior High Kiryat Ya'akov Herzog, an institution I can only liken to Harry Potter's Hogwarts...

You stand before the great sea of your lives, I told the children. It will not part on its own; it awaits your entry. The sea is deep, its depths filled with treasures, challenges, and dreams. Dangers also lurk there. We adults stand on the opposite shore, seeking to guide and warn you from our experience. You will face obstacles and difficulties. You may resent and rage against your fate. But you can view hardships as challenges meant to improve and build you. The difficulty will be the same, but your interpretation will determine how you overcome it and grow from it.

I still remember a classmate who played marbles and cards with me. I was privileged to soar while he remained on life's margins. One day I heard an explosive was planted on his scooter and he was killed. Gang warfare. The news shook me. I thought of our innocent starting line and the deceptive blink of an eye in which our fates could have been reversed under different circumstances. Not everything depends on adults or society, dear children; an important part of your destiny depends on you.

3.

It's vital to stay in constant motion, not rest on your laurels but to walk, not be lazy, to gather knowledge, ideas, friends, experiences, taking something from each station for the journey ahead. This is the first commandment given to Abraham, our forefather: "Go forth..." If we keep going, we ultimately reach the good land. The second commandment is Abrahamic: "Do not make for yourself an idol..." – don't turn yourself into a statue, don't become enamored with yourself, and think you know everything with nothing to learn from others. Remember Narcissus? Yes, some answered (Darya is now also discovering Greek mythology). He fell in love with himself when he saw his reflection in the river, closing himself off and missing out on life. So be sure to stay in motion and look around you. Be curious.

An important condition for success in life is the desire for knowledge. In physics, there is a law of conservation of energy. In education, there is a law of conservation of knowledge. No information you've learned will fail to serve you someday. You sit in a classroom, so even if you're bored, make an effort and listen, use the time to add more knowledge to your repository. Read books; it's the best gift you can give yourself. Whoever turns off the phone on Shabbat will be forced to read, even if they don't want to, like in the old days. Study the weekly Torah portion on Shabbat; this way the Bible will be part of who you are.

I told them the Quran calls us "Ahl al-Kitab," People of the Book, because of the Bible. But we are the People of the Books. We received the Torah, then came the Prophets and Writings, and in the second century, Rabbi Judah the Prince wrote the Mishnah. In subsequent centuries the Talmuds were written in Israel and Babylon, then Biblical commentaries in the Middle Ages, the Zohar, legal rulings, philosophy, and countless other books, until we erected a colossal skyscraper unmatched by any other nation for its descendants. Each generation added its own floor to the multidimensional edifice, and you, dear children, have the right to visit any floor you wish. Don't miss the opportunity; after all, you already speak the language.

4.

Study history. This way you will remember throughout your long journey where we came from and where we wish to go. I told them when we adopted the word in Hebrew, some spelled it "historyah," meaning God (Yah) concealing (Hester) himself behind national and global events and directing them. Soon we will reach the 9th of Av and commemorate the first destruction (586 BCE) and the second (70 CE). The Jews in the first exile despaired; they thought it was the end of Israel and there would be no continuity in the next generation. "Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost, we are cut off." But the prophet Ezekiel insists "our hope is not yet lost." He tells them of a tremendous historical vision God showed him: A valley full of dry bones turning into a multitude representing our people. And he promises that God will open our graves and return us home to the Land of Israel.

In the 1880s, a Hebrew poet in Romania wrote to his generation that as long as a Jewish soul stirs in our hearts, and as long as our eyes gaze eastward toward Zion, our hope to return to our ancestral homeland is not lost. I don't remember if they knew the poet's name, so I repeated it: Naftali Herz Imber. You understand, I told them, our national anthem corresponds with Ezekiel's prophecy. Indeed, our hope was not lost, and at the end of a long, painful process we came home to Zion. And from national history, we learn for our private lives: Even if you find yourselves in difficult situations later on, do not lose hope. Your redemption awaits just around the corner.

5.

"Dad," Darya whispered to me afterward, "two kids told me you could have spoken faster, and you repeated things." Honest children. "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou founded strength, because of Thine adversaries; that Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger (Pslams 8:3)" You're right, my daughter, because I understand the gravity of the task assigned to me and the importance of this conversation. I acted according to the eternal command "teach them to your children" (Deuteronomy 11:19 ) –  sons and daughters – hoping something of my words will be seared into the memory of one child, provisions for the road ahead, just as I remember to this day the kind eyes of my parents and teachers accompanying me, just before we entered the great sea of our lives.

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