“It will be tough for us but it doesn’t matter. You and I will change the world.” These words, from iconic Israeli musician Arik Einstein Z”L, resonated at Telfed’s recent Annual Scholarship Ceremony. The 2024 ceremony was dedicated in memory of Major Dor Zimel Z”L and Captain Yaron Chitiz Z”L.
In his opening greeting, Telfed Chairman Maish Isaacson spoke about the importance of education ‘to improve ourselves, our nation and the world.’
425 students were recipients of Telfed scholarships during the 2023-2024 academic year, with three scholarship programmes – PRAS community service scholarships, financial need-based scholarships and scholarships for South African students studying in Israel (SASI).
In her address to the students, Telfed Scholarship Committee Chairman Shely Cohen thanked the students, among them reservists, for studying and continuing with remarkable resilience despite the incomprehensible challenges. Shely introduced two awards, dedicated in memory of Yaron and Dor. The awards were presented by Yaron’s mother, Debbie Chitiz, and Dor’s father, Alon Zimel. Debbie is a former Telfed staff member and one of the initiators of PRAS, with the PRAS programme starting the same year Yaron was born. Debbie reflected on the early years of PRAS with 9 scholarships allocated in its inaugural year.
In December, at the PRAS opening event, the community was reeling in pain following Yaron’s tragic death in Gaza. “In a world of limp handshakes, Yaron was a bear hug” said Shely. “He didn’t just belong to a community, he made communities wherever he went, radiating warmth and drawing people together”. The Yaron Chitiz Award for Outstanding Community Service was awarded to Noam Goldberg. Noam volunteers at Bayit Balev – an old age home in Jerusalem. In addition to her own volunteering with seniors, Noam stepped in to help a fellow Telfed student who was called up for reserve duty. Her dedication and empathy for the elderly are unparalleled.
Dor began his association with Telfed as a PRAS student, volunteering in a “big brother” capacity with Yonatan who made Aliyah from South Africa with his family. In 2023, Dor was selected as one of five PRAS student coordinators – responsible for 50 students and the individuals or families with whom they volunteered.
Dor’s father spoke at the ceremony, saying: “Dor’s desire to be part of the PRAS programme was because it was important for him to give. To give from himself to the other. Like all of you sitting here, Dor decided to make a difference by giving to the other. Your volunteering and the influence of each and every one of you will have an effect on how the state of Israel will look like in the generations to come.
Dor was at 31 weeks, the first to go out before his twin sister Lior. He weighed 1.5 kg but he was in a hurry to enter world so he could lead and make an impact. He was a leader from the minute he was born.
On October 7, Dor did not wait to receive a Tzav 8. He packed a bag and called his 140 Miluim soldiers to go up to the Northern border of Israel. They all came straight away leaving their families and jobs behind and followed Dor’s order.
Dor was severely wounded on 17 April in a UAV attack, and passed away 5 days latrr. In his death he continued his legacy of always giving to others. His organs were donated to 7 Israeli citizens who gained their lives back due to Dor. The value of giving was prominent in Dor’s personality both in his life and after his death.”
At the PRAS opening event in December, Dor arrived in uniform, taking a short break from his unit in the North to support his students. “Dor fell just before Pesach and it is unbelievable that he isn’t here today”, said Shely. During a Shiva, Scholarship committee members asked Dor’s family what character trait best exemplified him. They answered: perseverance and commitment. “Dor committed to big things – to the survival of Israel (he served almost without a break), to his family and fiancé, to his studies, and to Telfed. He persevered, and in his few hours off, he came to support his PRAS students”, added Shely.
The Dor Zimel Award for Commitment and Perseverance was awarded to Michael Illouz who volunteers with a young Oleh with special needs. Over the course of the year, Michael had to find innovative ways to engage with his client. In appreciation of the invaluable role Michael played in their son’s first years in Israel, Michael and his family were invited to his PRAS client for a shabbat meal.
Telfed CEO Dorron Kline spoke to the students about a generous donation to Telfed in memory of a former colleague, Shula Rubinow. Shula never had children of her own, instead she had hundreds of children, the Olim she dedicated herself to helping. “I was one of her children”, said Dorron. “Shula is looking down at hundreds of her children who have succeeded in Israel today because of her love. She was a truly holy individual and we are honoured to carry on her legacy.”
Naama Or, Shula’s niece, spoke about Shula – her Aliyah, her 37 years at Telfed, her love of Israel and commitment to Olim for whom she advocated for decades. “Shula personally helped about 13 000 Olim during her time at Telfed. In her memory, to perpetuate her legacy and a lifetime dedication to helping Olim, the Rubinow family has chosen to support Telfed’s scholarship programme.”
This year, thanks to the generosity of our benevolent donors, Telfed granted over NIS 2 000 000 to students. As an organisation and community, we are proud to empower our youth and to show our immense appreciation to this generation of heroes. They have proven, beyond doubt, their exceptionalism and their ability to ‘change the world’. It is an honour to show them our support.
We take this opportunity to remind students that our scholarships are not mutually exclusive and should you meet the criteria you may be eligible to receive both: www.telfed.org.il/scholarships