Message From Lauren Stern Kedem, Meir Shfeyah liaison
Earlier this month, the largest graduating class in Meir Shfeyah’s history, 125 students strong, celebrated their graduation surrounded by family members, other students, staff and visiting graduates. The ceremonies, held in the village’s filled-to-capacity amphitheater, were accompanied by music, moving presentations, tears, laughter and pride.
The class of 2023, consisting of external students from surrounding communities and residential students from all parts of Israel, Russia and Ukraine, received recognition for their many achievements in spite of and strengthened by the challenges of the COVID epidemic and the war in Ukraine. Their example and their successes serve as inspiration and role models for their younger classmates and a tribute to their commitment to their studies, to one another and to the village. An outstanding staff of counselors, housemothers, teachers, social workers and staff in the kitchen, maintenance and agricultural branches provides unwavering care and flexibility 365 days a year in response to student needs and is the source of support and stability, all of which make Shfeyah a loving home and family.
This year's ceremony featured such honored guests as Barbara Goldstein, representing Hadassah, parents of graduates, a representative of Naale and a Shfeyah graduate from 1947 who, with his family, presented gifts of mandolins to graduating members of the Shfeyah Mandolin Orchestra.
Outstanding students shared their experiences at Shfeyah with tears, gratitude, pride and hope. We wish all of our graduates success in the IDF, national service, preparatory classes and studies. Whatever they do, we are certain that they will make a difference. Because this is what we do—with your help.