On Friday 28 March, scholarship recipients attended Telfed’s Annual Scholarship Ceremony, recognising our youth and their perseverance and dedication. This academic year, Telfed has continued its commitment to empowering students across Israel. A total of NIS 2.4 million was allocated in scholarships through Telfed’s three scholarship tracks to:
- 220 students in financial need
- 180 PRAS students, dedicating 2 hours each week to community service
- 6 SASI students – South Africans Studying in Israel as international students.
Additionally, special grants were awarded to students serving in miluim (IDF reserve duty), a gesture of appreciation for their extraordinary efforts in balancing academic studies with the responsibility of protecting the nation. We recognise how challenging this balance can be, and we stand proudly behind these exceptional student-soldiers.
Among the many students who contribute so meaningfully throughout the year, two exceptional individuals were recognised. In 2024, Telfed established two awards in memory of fallen heroes: Captain Yaron Chitiz Z”L and Major Dor Zimel Z”L.
These awards serve not only to honour two remarkable young men who dedicated themselves to building stronger communities but also to inspire future PRAS students to follow in their footsteps.
The Yaron Chitiz Z”L Award for Outstanding Community Service
This award was dedicated in memory of Yaron Chitiz Z”L, who fell in Gaza in December 2023. Yaron’s mother, Debbie, was one of the founding members of the PRAS programme. The award is given to a student who demonstrates exceptional commitment to community service, a tribute to Yaron’s dedication to his community.
Adi Rubin is this year’s deserving recipient. Through PRAS, Adi has been working with the children of families whose loved ones are being held hostage. Her goal is simple but profound: to give these families a bit of peace, time, and emotional relief in the midst of unimaginable worry.
Adi doesn’t stop at the expected hours or commitments. She volunteers during evenings, weekends, and at all times when help is needed – driven by a deep sense of purpose and compassion.
Hailing from the Upper Galilee, Adi is the daughter of veteran immigrants from South Africa. Despite the ongoing conflict and the closure of her family’s business in the north, she and her family chose to remain in their home – a testament to their strength and resilience. That same strength shines through in Adi’s volunteer work.
The Dor Zimel Z”L Award for Commitment and Perseverance
The second award, honouring Dor Zimel Z”L, commemorates a cherished PRAS student coordinator who fell in the north in April 2024. The award is given to a student who shows extraordinary perseverance and commitment.
This year’s recipient, Nicole Grobman, truly embodies these values. Initially hoping to work with teens, Nicole was instead assigned to support an elderly client due to a shortage of students in her city. Despite the unexpected change, Nicole embraced the opportunity with understanding and maturity.
Nicole worked hard to connect with her clients, and through persistence and empathy, she built deep and meaningful relationships . Her clients grew to appreciate and care for her deeply, so much so that one of them asked specifically to have Nicole return for another year. When another client needed help and there was no one available, Nicole didn’t hesitate to say yes. After completing miluim just a month ago, she returned to volunteer once again, this time supporting two clients.
Nicole and Adi, and our community of PRAS students exemplify what the PRAS programme strives to cultivate: compassion, responsibility, and the courage to step up when it matters most.
As we remember Yaron and Dor, we are reminded that their spirit lives on through students like Nicole and Adi – young leaders building bridges, bringing light, and helping our communities heal.
It is a privilege to support our youth.
During the ceremony, the students had the opportunity to hear from our special guest speaker, Ella Mor, the aunt of released hostage Avigail Idan. Ella spoke to the students about the Idan family’s tragic experience on October 7th at Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Ella’s niece and nephew, Amalia and Michael, were locked in a cupboard for 14 hours and Avigail was taken hostage. Their parents, Smadar Z”L and Roi Z”L, were killed by Hamas terrorists. Despite the horrors and trauma, Ella shared a message of hope and resilience.