War in Israel – Updates from Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO of YRF & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,
I am in tears as I share with you that Omer Wenkert, a graduate of Darca Begin High School in Gedera who completed his studies four years ago, is expected to return home this coming Shabbat after being held hostage in Gaza for more than 500 days.

Omer, 23, attended the Nova music festival with his girlfriend, Kim Damti z”l, who was also a graduate of Darca Begin High School in Gedera and his classmate. While hiding in a shelter, they kept their families updated about the relentless gunfire. Omer’s last message to his mother at 7:50AM was heartbreaking: “Mom, I’m terrified.” Then silence fell.

Kim, initially listed as missing, was later confirmed to have been murdered in their shelter. Hours passed without word of Omer until Hamas released a video showing him being taken into Gaza – bound, half-naked, his eyes meeting the camera.

During his long captivity, Omer became a beacon of hope for his fellow hostages. Those who have been released speak of how he lifted their spirits through encouragement and song. The last we heard of him was in late November, when released hostages shared he had been their source of strength.

His parents, Shai and Niva Wenkert, have fought relentlessly for his freedom through these endless months of uncertainty. Their worry has been compounded by Omer’s colitis, a chronic condition requiring constant medical care. His mother shared the devastating news that he had dangerously lost weight and received almost no medical treatment from Hamas.

The Darca Begin High School community in Gedera and the entire Darca family now unites in joy awaiting his return. Tomorrow, our classrooms will engage in discussions about Omer’s experience, our collective responsibility, and how we can support those who return from such unimaginable trauma.

Thank you all for your prayers, warm wishes, and unwavering support. Our hearts await Omer’s reunion with his family and community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

With each weekly release of our precious hostages from the depths of Gaza, Israelis nationwide and Jews around the world slowly and incrementally let out the collective breath we’ve been holding for 479 days, waiting desperately each moment for our brothers and sisters in captivity to return home safely. While we enjoy the relative calm and quiet of a ceasefire, we pray for its continuation and the safe return of all remaining hostages, including Darca’s own graduate, Omer Wenkert. In this time, it was also especially moving to witness the long-awaited return of the body of Oron Shaul z”l, an IDF soldier killed and taken hostage in 2014, who was a graduate of Darca Beit Yerah in the Jordan Valley. The entire Poriya and Darca communities can begin to feel the closure of a heartbreaking experience that was left unresolved for more than a decade.

Given all of these events, it is promising to consider Darca’s role in propelling Israel’s intelligence and security forces among the next generation. Not only do all of Darca’s schools promote meaningful IDF and national service, with 97% of graduates leaving high school to pursue service to the country, Darca makes great efforts to enhance the studies that help students achieve elite and prestigious units in intelligence, technology, and cyber security. One school, however, stands out among the rest, and that is Darca Odem in the Golan Heights city of Katzrin. The prominent journalist Amos Harel recently featured this school in his article in the renowned Haaretz publication, sharing the impressive commitment of our students and investment of our network and the Israeli authorities to help change the face of Israeli security services for the better. On behalf of the Darca leadership, we are proud to be part of a solution towards long-lasting peace and prosperity in the State of Israel. Please check out the full article (translated to English) attached to this email.

Thank you as always for your support, enabling us to maintain our efforts in Odem, and across Israel’s underserved periphery.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the devastating news of two Darca alumni killed in action yesterday in the Northern Gaza Strip. Both of them served in the elite Nahal Brigade and both were just 20 years old – young men with boundless potential, their futures tragically cut short far too soon.

First Sergeant Aviel Wiseman z”l from Poriya Illit graduated from Darca Beit Yerah High School in the Jordan Valley, where his sister Elinoam is currently in 11th grade, and his brother Eitan graduated in June 2024.

First Sergeant Guy Karmiel z”l from Gedera graduated from Darca Ilan and Asaf Ramon High School, where his sisters Hila and Adi currently attend.

Aviel and Guy spent nearly the entirety of their IDF service in this war. They served this country in its darkest, most challenging time and made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the State of Israel. In the wake of this immense loss, Darca professionals have been in close communication with both families and school communities to offer emotional support and grief counseling for the students and staff alike. In Gedera, some 60 of Guy’s former classmates have already gathered at the school in search of comfort and support, and in Beit Yerah, psychologists have been working closely with the community that was so close to their beloved student.

Aviel was a fourth-generation combat soldier and served with great pride, bringing tremendous honor to his grieving family. His former principal eulogized him saying, “There are simply no words to describe a pain like this… Aviel was a special person, wise and humble… He was someone we could all admire. It is so sad, so unfathomable, to speak about him in the past tense. I will remember him forever.”

The head of the regional council in Gedera referred to Guy as “forever an inseparable part of the story of Gedera and of the State of Israel. Guy was a young man with great values, a leader, modest, and full of dreams.”

As Houthi attacks continue to drag millions out of their beds, running for shelter in the middle of the night, and 98 hostages remain captive in the hands of Hamas, among them our graduate Omer Wenkert, promising news of an impending ceasefire deal offers a glimmer of hope that there may yet be an end to this prolonged nightmare. With cautious optimism, we pray that Omer and the remaining hostages may finally return home soon. This hope defines us as a people, has sustained us for millennia, and continues to propel us forward today in our mission to make the world a better place.

Together we mourn, and together we hope.

Thank you for your steadfast support as Darca continues to navigate tragedy and maintain resilience in all of its communities nationwide.

Dear Friends,

In one of the heaviest daily attacks in months, Hezbollah fired more than 250 rockets into northern and central Israel on Sunday, sending millions of Israelis into shelter, raining shrapnel in residential and urban areas, wounding seven civilians, and resulting, amongst others, in a direct hit in Kfar Qasem. Fortunately, as per my communication with our school community there, our students and staff remain unharmed. At the same time, while we patiently await news of a potential ceasefire, the country is bracing itself for an equally potential pre-deal barrage of more rockets from Hezbollah, or the threat of another intense response that Iran signaled is being planned.

To our deep sorrow , a recent three-hour battle with Hezbollah fighters resulted in the deaths of six IDF soldiers from the Golani brigade. The soldiers included Yitzchak Segron z”l, brother to Hallel, a current student at Makif Vav Darca in Ashkelon; Sharia Alboim z”l, who went to middle school at Shaked Darca High School in the Valley of the Springs; and First Sgt. Nir Gofar z”l, a recent Darca alum from Liheman Darca High School in Dimona. Each one contained a unique world of potential and life ahead of him, each one shattered a family and community with loss. This singular tragic incident, linking three separate Darca communities at once, highlights the interconnection of Israeli’s lives, no matter their background, and the heartbreaking reality that binds us all together.

Despite this continued state of tragedy and instability, the past two weeks have been full of activity and learning in Darca’s communities. For the first time this academic year, Darca high school principals were able to gather face-to-face for enrichment and peer-learning through two separate seminars.

The first was a broader day of learning for the entire community of over 40 Darca high school principals. Opening the session, Dr. Shosh Nahum Landesman, VP of Pedagogy, shared essential changes to the Bagrut matriculation exams, mainly that they will test for skill sets, which is an entirely new style of learning and teaching for many schools. Darca’s leadership welcomed the group to share in a moment of prayer, regardless of religious or secular affiliation, to take the time to reflect on themselves, on the year that passed and the year ahead of them, and to find sparks of inspiration that will fuel their dedicated work this year. The remainder of the seminar focused on the current state and advancement of STEM studies in Israel and specifically in Darca schools, as well as the use of AI in the classroom, including a hands-on workshop that was a highlight of the day.

The second was the opening two-day seminar of the new Even Derech (“Milestone”) professional development program, which is designed for a select, diverse group of 20 Darca school principals. The Even Derech program is based on the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l and in full, comprises four two-day seminars, each devoted to a specific theme, three two-hour Zoom sessions for concentrated study of a topic, guided group discussions, and in May, a culminating educational mission abroad to Spain. Rabbi Sacks’ clear and thoughtful messages of humanism and democracy, of modernity and tradition – which are the focus of the program – hold more relevance for educational leaders in Israel today than perhaps ever before.

Despite challenging circumstances, Darca has afforded its students in war-torn areas opportunities to experience “regular life” and expand their minds through new experiences. Last week, Darca Nofey Golan students from the North were ecstatic to partake in the classic “Masa Yisraeli” journey that is often a rite of passage for Israeli high school students. Traveling across the country, from the Ramon Crater to the Kotel in Jerusalem and everywhere in between, students participated in daily lessons and savored the opportunity to bond as a group in a setting of normalcy. The journey offers them freedom to breathe, to connect with nature, to seek beauty and serenity in their volatile world, and to foster a sense of belonging and understanding with their community, nation, and within themselves.

Thanks to our partners around the world, Darca continues working towards its all-important goal of ensuring students of all backgrounds from the underserved periphery have access to high quality education and a chance at a brighter future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

In one of the heaviest daily attacks in months, Hezbollah fired more than 250 rockets into northern and central Israel on Sunday, sending millions of Israelis into shelter, raining shrapnel in residential and urban areas, wounding seven civilians, and resulting, amongst others, in a direct hit in Kfar Qasem. Fortunately, as per my communication with our school community there, our students and staff remain unharmed. At the same time, while we patiently await news of a potential ceasefire, the country is bracing itself for an equally potential pre-deal barrage of more rockets from Hezbollah, or the threat of another intense response that Iran signaled is being planned.

To our deep sorrow , a recent three-hour battle with Hezbollah fighters resulted in the deaths of six IDF soldiers from the Golani brigade. The soldiers included Yitzchak Segron z”l, brother to Hallel, a current student at Makif Vav Darca in Ashkelon; Sharia Alboim z”l, who went to middle school at Shaked Darca High School in the Valley of the Springs; and First Sgt. Nir Gofar z”l, a recent Darca alum from Liheman Darca High School in Dimona. Each one contained a unique world of potential and life ahead of him, each one shattered a family and community with loss. This singular tragic incident, linking three separate Darca communities at once, highlights the interconnection of Israeli’s lives, no matter their background, and the heartbreaking reality that binds us all together.

Despite this continued state of tragedy and instability, the past two weeks have been full of activity and learning in Darca’s communities. For the first time this academic year, Darca high school principals were able to gather face-to-face for enrichment and peer-learning through two separate seminars.

The first was a broader day of learning for the entire community of over 40 Darca high school principals. Opening the session, Dr. Shosh Nahum Landesman, VP of Pedagogy, shared essential changes to the Bagrut matriculation exams, mainly that they will test for skill sets, which is an entirely new style of learning and teaching for many schools. Darca’s leadership welcomed the group to share in a moment of prayer, regardless of religious or secular affiliation, to take the time to reflect on themselves, on the year that passed and the year ahead of them, and to find sparks of inspiration that will fuel their dedicated work this year. The remainder of the seminar focused on the current state and advancement of STEM studies in Israel and specifically in Darca schools, as well as the use of AI in the classroom, including a hands-on workshop that was a highlight of the day.

The second was the opening two-day seminar of the new Even Derech (“Milestone”) professional development program, which is designed for a select, diverse group of 20 Darca school principals. The Even Derech program is based on the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l and in full, comprises four two-day seminars, each devoted to a specific theme, three two-hour Zoom sessions for concentrated study of a topic, guided group discussions, and in May, a culminating educational mission abroad to Spain. Rabbi Sacks’ clear and thoughtful messages of humanism and democracy, of modernity and tradition – which are the focus of the program – hold more relevance for educational leaders in Israel today than perhaps ever before.

Despite challenging circumstances, Darca has afforded its students in war-torn areas opportunities to experience “regular life” and expand their minds through new experiences. Last week, Darca Nofey Golan students from the North were ecstatic to partake in the classic “Masa Yisraeli” journey that is often a rite of passage for Israeli high school students. Traveling across the country, from the Ramon Crater to the Kotel in Jerusalem and everywhere in between, students participated in daily lessons and savored the opportunity to bond as a group in a setting of normalcy. The journey offers them freedom to breathe, to connect with nature, to seek beauty and serenity in their volatile world, and to foster a sense of belonging and understanding with their community, nation, and within themselves.

Thanks to our partners around the world, Darca continues working towards its all-important goal of ensuring students of all backgrounds from the underserved periphery have access to high quality education and a chance at a brighter future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As we cross 400 days of war, 101 hostages remain captive while Israeli soldiers fight Hammas terrorists in Gaza, confrontation with Iran looms with uncertainty, and the Northern communities continue to be battered by rocket fire and drone infiltrations. In this environment, Darca is tirelessly working to tailor support to each of its schools and meet their unique needs – I am pleased to report that most of our schools are operating regularly, while our eight schools in the North are subject to the ever-changing, day-to-day Home Front Command guidelines. At the moment, some are operating exclusively remote, some are hybrid due to their shelters’ capacity, and others have been given the green light for fully in-person educational activity.

Getting back into the swing of regular activity after the holidays was certainly exciting, but it continues to take place against a backdrop of ongoing tragedy. Just last week, we were harshly reminded of this in the Darca family when Omer Weinstein z”l (47), was killed from Hezbollah rocket fire in Metula. Omer was father to four children, including Ayallah, 12th grader in Darca’s Odem high school, and Yishay, 8th grader in Darca’s Geon HaYarden high school. In fact, the family is originally from Kibbutz Daphna in the North, and immediately evacuated when war broke out. For the last year, Yishay has made Darca’s Geon HaYarden high school his educational home, where he so seamlessly integrated. His eulogy spared no tears across the entire nation, as he recalled his father who was murdered tending his family’s crops next to Metula.

Shikma Darca High School students from Netiv Ha’Asara, who themselves, each and every one, have experienced tremendous loss, helped put this sorrow into perspective in their recent talk with the Education Committee at the Knesset. In their short but powerful statements, three 12th grade students, Amit, Gefen, and Romi, appeared before prominent politicians and stated plainly: We cannot forget our brothers and sisters in captivity and those whose lives are on the line in battle, but the least we can do for them is get up every day and keep our world moving forward. They emphasized one of the most important principles at the forefront of Darca’s wartime strategy – that schools, and all the motivation, goal setting, socializing, routine and stability that they provide – are the key to maintaining resilience. That is what Darca has been committed to since day one of this war.

A perfect example is the special field trip Darca’s Menachem Begin High School students in Gedera attended last week, prior to the American presidential elections. As part of a long-standing partnership between Darca and the American Embassy, sixty 10-11th grade Diplomacy students gathered at the American Hub in Jerusalem for a hands-on day of learning about the democratic process and for digital, interactive exposure to real Americans and their real opinions on the then-upcoming election. It was eye-opening and engaging, and students reported overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Darca’s dedication to academic excellence was also recently featured in a news segment highlighting Darca alumna, Julia Salach, from Daliyat el Carmel in the North. Julia is currently working towards her Doctorate in Astrophysics at the Technion, and on the widely watched Channel 11 news, Julia, the first female Druze scientific researcher in Israel, could hardly contain her excitement when describing “Gali,” a one-of-a-kind Gamma wave detection tool created in her lab that can be used on earth and in space to help better understand some of the oldest questions of our universe. Julia escorts the reporting crew to Makif Darca Daliyat el Carmel, her high school – and a meeting with their principal, Khouzama Halabi – that she credits with instilling in her a love for the subject, giving her the exposure and ability to explore physics and her passions, and the encouragement and support to make her dreams come true. The segment is moving and inspiring, and reminds us of Darca’s mission to help all of its students reach for the stars.

With the support of our friends around the world, Darca is honored to educate the next generation of leaders, pushing them to imagine an unimaginably brighter future for themselves and all of humanity, and offering them the skills and support to transform their dreams into reality.

Warm wishes for more peaceful, quieter days ahead,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

After an extended holiday break, Darca’s schools are once again buzzing with activity. A handful of our schools in the North, however, are still learning remotely or in hybrid models, depending on Home Front Command restrictions that change as frequently as every day. This period in the year, “from Sukkot to Hanukkah,” is always considered an intense academic stretch in which teachers utilize each and every uninterrupted week to teach a bulk of their material, prepare for the Winter Bagrut exams, and solidify the educational foundation for the year ahead.

From now on, starting this year, this secondary “back to school” period will begin with the newly established official day of mourning for the October 7th attacks, on the Hebrew date of 24 b’Tishrei, the day after Simchat Torah. Despite the unrelenting uncertainty of a renewed assault from Iran, continued raining of rockets in the North, and the ongoing stress of Israel’s war on several fronts, many of Darca’s schools marked the day with meaningful and moving ceremonies, musical performances, discussion circles, and displays to commemorate those murdered and share stories of heroes or killed alumni.

Sadly, in the last week, Darca’s communities were hit with several more losses. Sergeant Elishai Young z”l, a recent graduate from Darca Zinman high school in Dimona, was only 19 years old when he was killed during his service in the North Gaza Strip. Elishai is remembered as quiet but funny, and always knew he wanted to make his African Hebrew Israelite community proud by becoming a combat soldier and achieving meaningful service in the IDF.

Elishai’s loss weighs heavily on the city of Dimona, who is also suffering from the death of Sergeant Major Shaul Moyal z”l, a religious teacher and father of 10, killed in Lebanon just a few days ago. Moyal’s brother-in-law, Kobi Madi, serves as Darca’s principal at the Darca Appleman high school in Dimona and is himself – as well as his son – serving in the IDF reserves. In this time of deep grief and sensitivity, Darca’s professionals have been in constant communication with the families and the school, ensuring Kobi and the entire Darca Appleman community have access to all necessary resources to maintain its smooth operation.

Throughout this war, the impact of educators’ and principals’ absences due to reserve duty has further highlighted the urgent need to develop strong, highly qualified educational leaders in Israeli high schools, especially in the periphery. To this end, I am pleased to report that all 66 Fellows of the third Cohort of our Educational Leadership Accelerator (ELA) program – which was suspended for all of last year due to the war – is meeting today for the first of several productive and engaging seminars, together with their 13 professional mentors who guide and direct the Fellows at every step of the process. It is no doubt that meaningful mentorship has a long-lasting impact on all parties, and has the potential to change the course of one’s life.

This sort of impactful educator relationship was highlighted in two Darca communities in the North, who were also affected this week by the losses of Warrant Officer Omri Lotan, killed in South Lebanon, and Colonel Ehsan Daxa , killed in the North Gaza Strip. Lotan z”l graduated from and was extremely involved in the Darca Beit Yerah high school community, and Daxa z”l was an influential figure in the Daliyat el Karmel Druze community and had many family members who are either teachers or students at the local Darca high school.

No matter the challenges, Darca will always stand with its schools, principals, and students to ensure that even in times of war and hardship, Israel’s communities in the periphery are not left behind. Thank you for your ongoing support to make that possible.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

A full year has passed since October 7. Israel’s Defense Forces have made remarkable, and admirable, progress towards their goals, but we do still find ourselves deep in a war of seven fronts. With so much of the attention now directed at Israel’s border with Lebanon, where the IDF has drawn on our people’s ingenuity to achieve the most noteworthy feats, it is important to acknowledge the tension that is growing more and more direct with Iran.

Israel’s leadership is carefully calculating and coordinating its retaliatory response to Iran’s unprecedented ballistic missile attack, which targeted defense infrastructure and civilians alike. This led to a very uneasy Yom Kippur as Israelis balanced their faith and customs, while staying mindful of their security. The tension was further aggravated by reports of imminent rocket attacks from all fronts, especially timed for this symbolic time of year, as well as a terrifying spike in suicide attacks within Israel’s borders, including deadly ones in Hadera, Beer Sheba, and Jaffa. In these circumstances, one cannot help but think twice before leaving the safety of one’s home, and at Darca, these tragedies hit especially close to our hearts.

The Jaffa attack claimed the lives of seven innocent souls, including the mother of a nine-month-old baby, who she protected by turning her back to the shooter. Darca’s community lost a dear graduate in this terror attack, Revital Bronstein (24), from our Miqve Israel-General school. Revital was an only child, and was eulogized as “a brilliant programmer and a gifted comic book artist.” May her memory be a blessing.

Despite a dispiriting reality that has tainted what is normally a cheerful time of year in Israel, Darca’s resilience and the beautiful programming we nevertheless continue to push forward, fills us with hope and optimism. Just last week, Darca funded a group of 60 students from our Maxim Levy high school in Lod to go on a field trip to Israel’s new National Library in Jerusalem. This is an initiative that will reach over a dozen Darca schools and some 900 students this year, and is designed as an opportunity for students to momentarily remove themselves from the current reality, and connect to the rich and inspiring narrative of the land of Israel. At the same time, just ahead of the high holidays, we distributed to over 500 teachers across the Darca network, educational kits uniquely produced by Darca. Close to 300 teachers participated in an online workshop training them on how to use the kit to engage students in meaningful dialogue about the Tishrei holidays, how the themes and concepts are relevant to their day-to-day lives. Other parts of the toolkit provide teachers with interactive resources that help build healthy class dynamics, so integral to set the school year off on good footing. And if this were not enough, Darca prides itself that while the Ministry of Education requires schools to administer a “School Climate” questionnaire to students every three years, Darca administers them annualy. Taking it even a step further, Darca’s Social Education professionals then coordinate focus-group discussions with randomly chosen students that represent the entirety of a school’s student body. These round-table discussions dig deeper into understanding teacher-to-student dynamics, school safety and security, and all the other aspects that are critical for building conducive learning environments. It was exciting to hear these have already taken place in Darca’s Begin high school in Gedera and Darca Rene Cassin high school in Jerusalem, and how the discussions have been summarized into evaluation reports with clear action items for the schools’ staff.

This is just a small taste of Darca’s work from the past couple weeks, which is undoubtedly setting students up to not just excel academically, but to mature into upstanding leaders. At the bereaved families’ October 7 memorial ceremony last week, we were reminded of one such upstanding leader from Darca’s own – Amit Mann z”l. Devastatingly, Amit is no longer with us, brutally murdered by Hammas terrorists in Kibbutz Be’eri. But Amit lives on through her heroism. She did not hesitate to pick up her paramedic bag, leave the safety room she was hiding in, and run to the Kibbutz’s clinic, into immediate danger, in order to treat the wounded. She was eventually slaughtered there, while in the service of humanity. One of Amit’s many passions was song performing, and on October 7, 2024, the entire State of Israel had the privilege of seeing her perform.

The song, “Nothing Will Hurt Me,” was originally written by first lieutenant Erez Shtrek z”l, killed in the Helicopter Disaster of 1997, at the age of 21, when two Israel Air Force transport helicopters collided during operational activity in Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon. All 73 soldiers onboard were killed, prompting the Israeli government to declare a national day of mourning. The lyrics were first composed and performed only a decade later, by the Church of the Mind band which you see performing in this clip. To hear Amit sing these lyrics, to think of Erez’s premonition, sends chills through one’s body. If you have not had the opportunity, I also invite you to watch the UJA Federation of NY’s October 7 ceremony, with this special tribute to Amit.

Praying that peace and prosperity be restored to Israel and the Jewish people worldwide.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As Israelis were preparing to sit for their Shabbat dinners this past week, news spread that the Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah, was targeted in a massive Israeli airstrike. Nasrallah was meeting with Hezbollah’s top commanders in the terror organization’s main HQ bunker, maliciously located under a complex of residential buildings. By the next morning, it was confirmed he was killed – news that was welcomed positively not only in Israel, the United States, and Europe, but even in Lebanon, where so many understand how Nasrallah kidnapped their country, turned it into a failing state and a base for Iranian aggression and terror.

This came after a week of intense Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, that thanks to precise army intelligence, eliminated much of the Hezbollah terror group’s most senior leadership as well as a significant fraction of their arsenal.

While Israel is hopeful this blow may alter the course of the war, it is under no illusion and knows that much of Hezbollah’s arsenal is still intact. In this context, the IDF launched a targeted ground operation in South Lebanon this morning, to remove the immediate threat on Israel’s northern communities, and make it safe for the tens of thousands of evacuated residents to return home.

To this end, the IDF called up two reserves brigades and deployed them up to the northern border this past week. This has placed added pressure on Darca’s schools with many of our educators and staff members now back in the line of duty – please join in me in a prayer for their safety and a return home in good health.

In the meantime, the north continues seeing dozens of rockets being fired at them on any given day, setting off sirens numerous times a day, and causing terror as well as damage to homes and infrastructure. The Home Front Command’s safety guidelines for Haifa and northward remain on high alert, with eleven of Darca’s schools in the north closed for the second week in a row now. Darca is providing the necessary resources and working hand-in-hand with these schools to successfully maintain remote learning and mitigate interruptions.

Central Israel has also experienced a return of sirens and a threat to security this past week, including over a handful of rockets fired at Central Israel just this morning. While not at the same degree as in the North, the Home Front Command has limited activity and public gatherings in Central Israel and though schools remain open, a new wave of anxiety and stress has clearly set in.

But as we enter into the High Holiday season, with Rosh Hashana around the corner, I invite all of us to focus on the hope the future holds. The choir of Darca’s Ulpana high school in Netivot recently produced, from scratch, a powerful song that, as art often does, beautifully captures the grief of this past year, and mixes in themes from Rosh Hashana to offer a glimpse of hope. Their composition helps us make space for all that is broken, but not lose our faith that peace and transformation is just within our reach.

I want to take this opportunity, during this special time of year, to thank you all for the steadfast support in the midst of a very challenging past year. With your partnership, Darca’s schools could continue to cultivate our students’ knowledge, skills and values, even through turbulent times, and help them transform adversity into hope, motivation, and strength.

I wish you and your close ones a Shana Tova u’Metuka, may this year bring you health, happiness and success in all your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

The security situation on Israel’s northern border has significantly escalated, and as of last night, the Home Front Command issued new safety guidelines for residents of Haifa and northward.

On October 8, virtually immediately after Hammas’ brutal October 7 attack, and without any provocation whatsoever, Hezbollah also attacked Israel. Over the last year since, tensions on the Northern border have gradually escalated, and claimed many Israeli civilians as well as caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Given Hezbollah’s destructive power, many times greater than that of Hammas, tens of thousands of Israelis living on the Northern border have since been living evacuated from their homes.

Over the last week, the situation has become especially volatile, with heightened threat of a more forceful war. Just this morning, Hezbollah fired some 85 rockets at Haifa and its surroundings, hitting civilian centers and wounding at least three civilians.

The implications of all this on the Darca Schools network is that eleven of our schools have had their physical premises closed – this includes our schools in Tirat Carmel, the Golan Heights, the Valley of Springs, the Jordan Valley and our four Druze schools in the Galilee. We have implemented Darca’s remote learning emergency playbook in these schools, to maintain educational continuity. And of course, our Darca professionals are working hand-in-hand with the school leaderships to mitigate interruptions. It is also important to note that dozens of parents in our more central communities opted to keep their children home today, out of fear of a more widespread war.

I will continue to update as things develop further on the ground here.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

The first day of the 2024/25 school year started off on a difficult note. Israel’s Defense Forces recovered the bodies of 6 dead hostages overnight, all brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists just days ago. The murder of these beautiful young men and women, all in their 20s, 30s and 40s, is yet another stark reminder of the unfathomable evil Hamas represents. One of the murdered hostages, Ori Danino, is family of our students in Darca’s Sapir High School in Yeroham.

In the West Bank, meanwhile, three Israelis were killed in a terror shooting attack, which speaks to the escalating tensions there – an additional front rapidly growing in hostility.

And Israel’s high school teachers nationwide started off the school year on strike, as negotiations on teacher’s salaries between the finance and education ministries and teachers’ union are at a deadlock.

A small ray of light is that Darca made a special request for its high schools that were most affected by the ongoing war – in Hof Ashkelon, Netivot and the Golan Heights, a total of 9 schools – to be allowed to start the school year as planned. We made the case that these communities are in dire need of normalcy, and the Teachers’ Union agreed to our request.

As we face unprecedented challenges, we summon our strength to kick-off Darca’s 14th school year with 48 educational institutions, now reaching close to 30,000 students. We also significantly expanded our pedagogical guidance of elementary schools this year, now reaching a total of 41 schools and directly enriching the education of over 5,000 students.

And what better way to kick off the school year than with an official visit from Israel’s very own President Isaac Herzog. Darca’s Shikma High School, on the Gaza border, is amongst the hardest-hit communities from the October 7 atrocities. After a year of grief, trauma, displacement and uncertainty, the President’s symbolic visit, and especially his heartfelt remarks of hope, were deeply appreciated by all – they brought much needed confidence and pride.

Darca is also thrilled to see the opening of a new Druze school in the Galilee for Druze-religious boys and girls. The Shaykh Mowafaq Tarif, spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel, personally requested that Darca draw on its unique expertise to lead this initiative both pedagogically and managerially. The school’s vision is to create a distinct educational home, which will serve as an inspiration for the integration of Science and Druze heritage. Equally critical, female Druze-religious students currently end their regular school studies in the 8thgrade, only because there is no appropriate educational home for them. This new school would offer them the opportunity to pursue excellent academic studies into the high school grade levels, in an environment suitable for them.

Like Darca’s model in the religious sector, this school will teach high-quality core curriculum studies, striving for all students to complete high school with a full Bagrut certificate, at the top-most level, and in parallel the school will integrate Druze religious and cultural studies as well. Given the tragedies that have befallen the Druze community in this most devastating war, Darca is all the more so committed to rise to the task, and establish an educational institution of the highest standards for the Druze.

Lastly, Darca is proud to start this year following the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) recently published list of schools receiving top-rank recognition. I am pleased to share that 17 Darca schools made it onto the list, which assesses schools holistically, evaluating their performance academically, year-on-year improvements, student retention rates, and also in how effectively they instill social values in students, measured by graduates’ national and IDF service. Beyond this being an impressive achievement, we are happy to share it comes with positive financial implications. The high school teachers in these top-ranked schools will receive a bonus fully funded by a special grant the MoE will transfer to Darca, which further contributes to Darca’s efforts to leverage and multiply the impact of each philanthropic dollar.

Darca’s outstanding results – especially in such a difficult year – would not have been achievable without your dedicated partnership and support, which empower Darca to elevate its schools to their highest potential.

Join me as we pray for a quiet and smooth start to this school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

With a suspended start to the school year, due to Teachers’ Union strikes nationwide, Darca was pleased to finally see all its doors open this week. I would like to reiterate that, based on a number of Darca schools being especially affected by the war, we managed to negotiate and have ten of our schools open on September 1 as planned, despite the Teachers’ Union strike. In the North, this included Darca Nofey Golan and Darca Odem in Katzrin, and near the Gaza border this included our five schools in Netivot and three schools in Hof Ashkelon.

Of all of them, Shikma Darca in Hof Ashkelon undoubtedly has endured among the most challenging experiences in the past year and, on a school level, truly needs each and every day of stability and routine in order to fully rehabilitate. After the horrific events of October 7, some 40 teachers left their positions at the school, whether due to permanent relocation or extreme trauma and grief. At the start of this year, not only did the Shikma community finally reunite in their home of Kibbutz Yad Mordechai – only recently renovated from months of use as an IDF base – they were welcomed by a new principal and nearly 25 new teachers, filling in the roles left vacant by teachers who were unable to return to work. Fortunately, Darca’s undaunted leadership leapt into action to identify the highest possible quality professionals to fill these roles and integrate them smoothly into the school.

In fact, a number of Darca schools welcomed new principals this year. We hosted a gathering in late August for them at the Darca Headquarters in Holon. The group met for an afternoon of introductions, getting to know each other and the network, and to meet with Darca’s leadership. Looking around that room, I was filled with tremendous faith in these professionals, and know they will guide our schools to success with the knowledge that we, as a network, will provide our full support and backing to help them achieve their goals.

***

I am pleased to share a moving news story aired on primetime of the prominent Channel 12, an excerpt of which can be seen here, featuring Darca Rene Cassin high school graduate Matan El-Grabli. In the segment, Matan shared his experiences from nearly one year ago on October 7, hand in hand with his wife and three young children. We shared Matan’s heroic story with you months ago, while he was still recovering from serious injuries sustained on that fateful day. Together with his fellow soldiers and the news crew, Matan traces through Kfar Azza to the precise places where he saved countless lives and nearly lost his own. He visits the rehabilitation ward in Sheba Medical Center, his home away from home for nearly half a year of recovery and rehabilitation, and is greeted with a moving hero’s welcome that he rightly deserves. Matan exhibits a level of determination and resolve to strengthen himself that few of us witness in our lifetimes.

In this inspiring segment, Matan shares his story of heroism and duty, and viewers grasp his journey from motivated soldier to determined patient, to dedicated spouse and parent, to ardent patriot, all at the same time. Matan represents the best of what Israel’s brave soldiers have to offer, and, as the actor Yaniv Bitton mentioned in the segment, he does so with a startling contrast of softspoken kindness. Congratulations to Matan on his impressive promotion to Battalion Commander in the Givati Brigade. We are confident that Matan will continue to lead his soldiers successfully and represent our country proudly, and we pray for his continued health and safety as he is now back on the front lines in Gaza.

With sincere prayers that all of our soldiers return home safely, that all of the hostages return home speedily, and that Israel finds lasting peace soon. Wishing us a safe and quiet start to the year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Israel awoke this morning to the news that thousands of Hezbollah launchers were primed for a coordinated 5AM attack on Central and North Israel, but that precise IDF intelligence alerted Israel’s leadership, which in turn ordered a covert operation of 100 Israeli jets simultaneously taking off and striking all threats, and thus thwarting large-scale national tragedy.

This news serves as a stark reminder that the Israeli public must remain on high-alert, as the focus of attention gradually makes its way from the Gazan border to the Northern border. The Darca community is experiencing this shift in dynamics on the ground, too.

Last week, the northern town of Katzrin in the Golan Heights, came under heavy rocket fire from Lebanon, causing severe damages to multiple homes. Such threatening developments bring into question whether the school year will be able to commence as planned in our Darca Nofey Golan High School and Darca Odem High School. On the other hand, in a sign of hope, we look forward to the Darca Shikma High School community reuniting in Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, in their original school building, just 5km north of the Gazan border. After almost a year of being uprooted from their homes, and after experiencing terrible tragedy first-hand, the Darca Shikma High School community finds deep solace in coming back home to kick off their academic year together under the same roof.

And while Darca rejoices in this hope, and finds great relief in the IDF’s unrivaled intelligence and execution, the Darca community mourns two difficult losses in the last days.

Sergeant Ori Ashkenazi Nechemya z”l, a 19-year-old and graduate of Darca’s Mekif H’ High School in Ashkelon, was killed by an anti-tank missile in Rafah on Thursday. Before entering into Gaza’s battlefield, Ori entrusted his brother Shalev with a letter, in case of tragedy. At the funeral, Shalev read the following from Ori’s letter:

Dear family, if you are reading this, it is safe to assume things did not go as planned – I do not know how to write this letter and why I am doing so, but in the case that… I wanted you to have something you could find and that I could leave behind for you.

I lived a wonderful life, with no regrets. With the most amazing family and girlfriend. The most important thing I want to say is that I love you dearly and am sorry if I caused you pain. I served out of love for this strange country of ours, and if I succeeded to bless more life in sacrificing myself, I do not regret a thing, I both succeeded and failed in my mission at the same time.

May Ori’s memory be a blessing.

Sargeant Major (res.) Yaniv Itzhak Oren, a graduate of the Darca Menachem Begin High School in Gedera, was killed by an anti-tank missile in Gaza City on Friday. Yaniv was an educator by profession and at heart, the principal of the Ein Gedi boarding school. His colleagues eulogized that “Yaniv was a dear and loved man, who guided, accompanied and educated young adults in Ein Gedi. In this last year, he guided and served as an anchor for students evacuated from the Gaza envelope and who found an educational home in the Ein Gedi high school.” Yaniv’s leadership and inspiration will be dearly missed, and may his memory be a blessing.

In these difficult days, we hope for quieter and more peaceful days.

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As we cross 300 days of war, the tension and uncertainty of this conflict seem only to be gaining in intensity, as Israel braces itself for an attack both from Hezbollah in Lebanon and from the Iran regime. The anxiety is undoubtedly palpable, growing as we near Tisha B’Av next week with all its historical gravitas. Not a moment goes by without us thinking of the over 100 hostages still held in nightmarish conditions – for whom we pray every day, for their immediate return to their families and friends.

Schools across Israel have been closed for summer break, with students at home and teachers finishing up their much-deserved time off, before returning to finalize their work plans re-energized for the upcoming school year.

Just last week, Darca conducted the final two-day seminar for the second cohort of the Educational Leadership Accelerator (ELA) program for principals in the Haredi sector. ELA Fellows met for the last time as a group and with Darca leadership to debrief the year and discuss key lessons and skills gained. Darca’s VP of Pedagogy, Dr. Shosh Nahum-Landesman, led a detailed 3-hour workshop on data-based school management, walking each of the Fellows through readily available databases, to learn how they might be able to work with the tools in the system to improve their own schools. It was an eye-opening exercise that filled participants with excitement and worlds of possibility. The seminar also included summary sessions with the mentors, site visits to two outstanding schools, a workshop on fruitful dialogue and communication skills, and a meaningful closing program organized by the Fellows themselves. This closing program was filled with heartwarming, genuine expressions of gratitude and truly moving displays of appreciation. Some feedback received from the Fellows included:

“We left every session with real management tools, what to do and how to do it.”

“As a new principal, I learned many things, but beyond that, I gained the confidence to really take on the position, something I did not have before.”

Darca’s leadership has been absolutely moved by the bonds that have formed with each of the Fellows, bonds that in this polarized society, cannot be taken for granted. We hope and believe Darca is serving as a beacon of light to build bridges and unity, which could not be more necessary now.

In the meantime, people around the world have their eyes fixed on the Paris Olympics, while Israel and its friends are closely tracking our dozens of strong and impressive Olympians. To succeed on the world stage and hear Hatikva play in the stands, to be cheered on when recently we have only been booed, brings tremendous pride to the entire Jewish people. In particular, Darca is deeply proud of its alumna Avishag Semberg (Darca Begin High School, Gedera, 2019), for her valiant efforts in Taekwondo yesterday. She represented Israel with grace and skill, and we applaud her and wish her much luck in her career.

With hopes for continued quiet,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Following the devastating tragedy of yesterday, in which a Hezbollah rocket struck the Golan Druze town of Majdal-Shams, directly hitting a soccer field where children were playing, and claiming the lives of 12 children, I would like to provide a very brief update on the subject.

We have spoken directly with the school principals and municipal heads of the three Druze communities where Darca manages schools, and to our relief, our students were not at the soccer field when the rocket exploded. Nevertheless, the Druze are a tight-knit community in Israel, and some of our students and teachers have relatives and friends that were affected. The grief reverberates across all Druze in Israel and the entire Israeli society.

I have personally communicated with Shaykh Mowafaq Tarif, the qadi (spiritual leader) of the Druze in Israel, to send our deepest condolences, and of course to offer any assistance they may need.

Needless to say, Israel is now bracing itself for how the already tense situation in the North may further escalate following such aggression.

Praying for quieter and more peaceful days.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Last week, citizens were surprised and shocked by a Houthi drone attack that occurred just a short distance from the American consulate in the heart of Tel Aviv. The attack resulted in one death and several injuries. In response, Israel’s Air Force struck military targets associated with the Houthi regime in Yemen, marking the first direct attack in that region. This action sends a clear message that Israel will not remain passive in the face of terrorism. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to bombard the northern region, causing fires and forcing thousands of Israeli families to remain as refugees.

***

Last week, Darca hosted a moving award ceremony for students and alumni who have achieved extraordinary feats this year. The ceremony opened with the six winners of Darca’s art competition, which offered Darca high school students an opportunity to express a world of emotion in light of this painful war, whether through paint, the written word, poetry, or another medium. Submissions from more than 20 schools revealed profound beauty, pain, strength, heartache, and genuine self-expression.

Notable submissions include the heart-wrenching painting (photo below) by Lior Arzuan, a 9th grade student at the Gymnasia Darca High School in Kiryat Malachi, and a meticulous micrographic portrait (also photo below) by Noya Sabach, a 10th grade student from the Midrasha High School in Hof Ashkelon. Noya’s portrait is of David Edry z”l, her uncle who was killed on October 7th, composed entirely of the finely written story of her memories with him.

Additionally, the ceremony awarded 24 exceptional students and alumni representing five categories of excellence this year (out of more than 100 nominees!): community service and leadership, humanities, arts, sport, and women in science and technology.

Each of the submissions and candidates – and certainly the winners – represents a unique and important element of the lessons and values Darca seeks to instill in its students network-wide. Some notable alumni recipients in the field of sports are Avishag Semberg, who graduated Darca’s Menachem Begin High School in Gedera and took the Taekwondo bronze medal at Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic games, and this month will represent Israel at the Paris Olympics. Best of luck to Avishag! Another athlete recipient is Leon Mizrahi of Darca’s Rene Cassin High School, who plays football (soccer) on Israel’s National Team.

A beautiful initiative, one which granted Avigayil Esther Abu – our 11th grade student from Darca’s Ulpana High School in Netivot – a community service award, is a heartwarming project that set up an extensive volunteer network to support women whose spouses are serving in the IDF reserves. Join me in commending all of our highly-deserving honorees!

As always, Darca students paving the way towards positive growth, even from the depths of tragedy and pain, provide a radiating light of hope that cannot be extinguished. Our hope today rests firmly in the speedy and safe return of the hostages, a successful end to this long war, and in sustainable peace for this region.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

With heavy hearts, Darca adds another alum to its devastating list of fallen soldiers, Sgt. Eyal Shynes z”l, just 19 years old from Beit Yerah, who was killed in combat in Rafah last week. Eyal was an athletic, humble, animal-loving, charming young man, and was his parents’ firstborn. He will be sorely missed. On behalf of the Darca leadership, I send my deepest condolences to the Shynes family. May Eyal’s memory be a blessing.

—

The fighting in Gaza has not ceased, the IDF death toll continues to climb, and the government has yet to finalize a hostage deal with their impossible negotiating “partners,” Hamas. At the same time, the North has been subject to unbelievable escalation in recent days and weeks, with relentless rocket attacks from the Lebanon border and an all-too-real threat of subsequent fires that have engulfed forests and homes. As the Israeli government evacuates more towns, thousands more Israelis have joined in the gradual exodus of those fleeing the North for safer regions in the country. Many towns in the North that had yet to experience a rocket siren in this war, let alone multiple, have seen their residents running to shelter and praying for the Iron Dome to effectively protect their homes and their lives. Tragically, while driving in the Golan two days ago, Noa and Nir Baranes, parents of Matan, who just celebrated his graduation from Darca Beit Yerah High School last month, were killed when a Hezbollah rocket hit their car directly. In this moment of unimaginable grief, Darca Schools stands beside Matan, his two younger siblings, and the entire Baranes family, and wish them only comfort and peace.

In addition to the tragedy of civilian deaths and hundreds of fallen soldiers, Darca recognizes the importance of not overlooking the thousands of injured soldiers who are living in a new and challenging reality, and comprise a dishearteningly growing demographic in Israel’s young adult generation. Since the start of the war, according to the Rehabilitation Division of the Ministry of Defense, over 9,200 soldiers have sustained injuries, 80% of whom are under the age of 40. For instance, Darca alum Eran Razabi from the Valley of the Springs was injured in combat, resulting in paralysis from the chest down. After three months in the ICU, fighting for his life, Eran’s new reality, as a husband and father of two young children, is filled with limitations.

It is incredibly moving, therefore, to see young students from Darca’s schools in the Valley of Springs (Shaked HS and Geon Hayarden HS) using their education to help one of their own, to better the life of Eran Razabi. As featured on the prominent ynet news site last week, a group of Darca students – including some who were evacuated to the North from South earlier in the year – worked together to develop solutions that could help Eran function and interact on a daily basis. The students met with Eran to understand what he most needed, what was most challenging for him, and from there, began their endeavor to create several innovative tools for Eran to communicate and interact without the use of most of his body. As an example, the Darca students created a voice activated game for Eran to play ping-pong with his children.

Darca is proud to be training students to be part of the solution, to be helpers and innovators, especially in a world of continually developing challenges and difficulties. In the face of rapidly evolving technology and Artificial Intelligence, for instance, theater students in the Darca Begin High School in Gedera worked closely with their teacher and the Comcast company to write, stage, and produce a cautionary ad for the Ministry of Education about misuse of AI. The commercial – a warning ad advocating for moral awareness online and against malicious use of AI and deepfakes – can be seen on the Ministry of Education’s Instagram page. Applying their studies to a very real and frightening problem in the world of teens today, these Darca students successfully delivered a moving, impressive, and important message.

Darca Achva alumna, 25-year-old Lilaq Logan, has also used the momentum of the digital age to spread awareness and truth, gaining a growing mass of followers after her late-October post went viral on social media. The Darca Achva high school serves the unique African Hebrew Israelite community in Dimona and Lilaq uses her platform to debunk baseless lies about Israel, Israelis, the war, and the IDF, where she currently serves. In a recent article by the Jerusalem Post, Lilaq sheds light on what she calls a reality no one “should be getting used to” and her experience over the last nine months as she became one of the most widely recognized faces of Israeli advocacy.

As Darca’s leadership and professional staff prepare for a new year ahead, filled with endless opportunity to learn and to teach, we all look forward to continued growth and progress, and we steadfastly hope for peace.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Over the past couple weeks, Israelis have endured tremendous uncertainty and their attention has been torn in numerous different directions. In Gaza, reports suggest that the heavy fighting may start winding down, though the public has been left in the dark as to what comes next. One thing is clear, the security Israelis felt around the Gaza border before October 7th will not be restored any time soon. Meanwhile, the Israeli government and its allies continue to deliberate a hostage and ceasefire deal, though progress has been hard to come by in the face of an impossible negotiating partner such as Hamas. Recently released footage of three hostages being taken into Gaza has pushed the horrific reality of this situation back into the limelight, reminding us all of the real, human faces of this war.

The northern border continues to be uninhabitable and completely evacuated, and at this point, may have become Israelis’ primary source for concern. Aggression from Hezbollah continues to escalate and is exacting an ever higher price, tipping closer and closer to a full-blown war, with potentially far graver implications and destruction that could reach every corner of the country. One source of hope is Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant’s trip to Washington this week, which reinforced the relationship with Israel’s greatest ally, urging the United States to prevent a nuclear Iran and ensuring Israel has the critical ammunition and support it may need. Despite upsetting international pressure and frightening antisemitism in America and around the world, displays of solidarity and unity continue to bring solace and strength to the people of Israel.

***

As the school year comes to a close, Darca is incredibly proud of the 3,479 new graduates of 2024! In the context of their high school career – one that started in a pandemic and ended in a war – this is no simple feat and we applaud these young women and men for their accomplishment. Given 97% of our graduates go on to serve in the IDF or national service, we are proud to see them leave the confines of school and pursue meaningful contributions to the State of Israel and all of humanity.

The significance of military and national service today is more apparent than ever before. Today, with continued fighting in Gaza and the north, young people are thrust into the very real understanding of what it means to serve one’s country. And with the rising IDF death toll, the sacrifice is made all the more real. Just last week, the Darca community lost Eli Moshe Zimbalist z”l, brother to a Darca Ruth High School homeroom teacher in Gedera, Ms. Nechama Wolf. May Eli rest in peace and his memory be a blessing for all.

Further, the extended service of so many IDF reservists has left their positions empty, threatening to jeopardize the Israeli economy and making it harder for already struggling homes to keep up with their finances. The Israeli media outlet, ynet, noted this week the rise in high school students who have stood up to the challenge and taken on work this summer, to fill the roles of reserve duty soldiers on the frontlines, or to help out at home. We are proud that two of Darca’s exceptional students interviewed for this prominent feature. Eliya Ben-Lulu from Darca Miqve Israel is spending the summer working at the local botanical garden. Inbar Reifmann from Geon HaYarden Darca, answered her call of duty, and mixed in a twist of sweetness, working at the local Valley of the Springs patisserie.

Indeed, coming together in a professional context is treasured among Darca educators, too. Just this week, the Darca Global Leadership Skills Annual Seminar took place at the pastoral Allenby Farm with some 40 participants in attendance. It was one of the most meaningful seminars of the year, with many teachers who had not yet had an opportunity to attend a Darca seminar since the start of the war. The air was buzzing with the energy of engaged and excited professionals, learning techniques to incorporate the concept of post-traumatic growth into their classrooms through poetry and games. As one teacher from Ashkelon described it, “Every part was well thought-out and provided us with ready-to-use tools to implement in the classroom. Also, the venue was a real pleasure! It provided the perfect atmosphere. Thank you!”

Another recent seminar took place for Darca physical education teachers at the Wingate Institute. For two days, the educators discussed conscious nutrition and conscious movement among teenagers, attended professional lectures on body development and personal training, and learned techniques for innovative methods in empowering physical education. The seminar was a perfect way for these educators to begin the summer and look ahead to another year of keeping students active and excited about their physical health.

No matter the state of current events, Darca Schools will always ensure its students and staff are not left behind. In the face of any challenges, Darca Schools – with the steadfast support of its friends and partners worldwide – works tirelessly to provide the highest possible quality educational opportunities for students in the periphery, year after year.

As this school year ends, Darca leadership hopes for a safe and peaceful summer that will usher in a calm new school year of academic and social excellence that has become the Darca standard.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

We have exceeded 250 days of war. Eight months ago, we could not have imagined we would be here in June, closing up the school year that started with the worst massacre in the Jewish State’s history, while over 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, and the IDF death toll continues increasing steadily. Yet, the heroic rescue mission last weekend, which freed Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Shlomi Ziv, and Andrey Koslov, shed a desperately needed ray of light in this darkness of war. The country, indeed the entire Jewish People worldwide, are still rejoicing for the reunification of these four families. At the same time, their testimonies remind us of the unimaginable plight of the hostages still in captivity, and the incredibly heavy cost of such a mission – the death of counter-terror officer Arnon Zamora z”l, an upstanding man who leaves behind a wife and two young children and in whose honor the operation was renamed.

For more than two-thirds of a year, Israel and her citizens have been embroiled in the grief and tragedy that accompanies ongoing turmoil. This is especially true, as time goes on, in Israel’s North, where the tensions on the Lebanon border have only grown. Just last week, there were more sirens in Katzrin, with one missile falling across the road from the Darca Nofey Golan High School. The principal assured Darca leadership that everyone on site was safe and acted according to protocol, heading straight to the shelter within 30 seconds and staying there for the necessary waiting period. Fortunately, about six months ago, with the strategic support from the Emergency Relief Fund, Darca was able to expand the shelters and extended the ICT systems at Nofey Golan, enabling classes to take place in the shelter, if necessary.

It is important to note that these recent disruptions are taking place during a particularly intense academic period; during the siren itself, students were in the middle of a Bagrut matriculation exam for English, which they were able to resume safely in the shelter, thanks to Darca’s steadfast supporters. Despite the interference of war, in recent days, Darca Nofey Golan students have been recognized for their groundbreaking collaboration with the Shamir Institute for Research Agricultural Innovation group and the HeightsTech community of hi-tech professionals in the Golan. Together with the school’s head of Computer Science, they identified a group of software engineering students to develop technological solutions for smart agriculture in the region. This program perfectly embodies the seamless integration of technological education, scientific research, and professional expertise that helps support local innovation and boost Darca’s students’ social mobility. Another Darca student, Darca Begin (Gedera) alumna and Olympic medalist, Avishag Semberg, continues to bring great pride to the Darca family, winning a gold medal in the World Taekwondo competition in Luxembourg earlier this week. Congratulations to Avishag and best of luck in a few weeks in Paris!

***

In a sharp turn from congratulations to grief – emblematic of the pendulum of Israeli experience in recent times – on behalf of the entire Darca network, we extend our deepest condolences to the families of our graduate Staff Sergeant Ido Appel z”l (Shitim Darca, Arava Tichona, 21) and to the sisters of Major Tal Pshebilski Shaulov z”l from Gedera. Ido and Tal were killed in action in Gaza just days apart, their young lives cut short in service of their country. May their memories be a blessing.

In prayer for quieter days,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

More than 7 months into this war, and sadly, it is far from over. The Israeli people continue to wake up to reports of recently fallen soldiers, and the seesaw of negotiations for the hostages seem to have made little progress. On all fronts, the North especially, continued and often costly attacks make us wary of rapid escalation and full-on war against a much more powerful Hezbollah. And just when reserve duty soldiers were settling back into their routines, many have been called back up or received future dates for their service on the front lines.

In the event of potential escalation, Darca has had the time and experience to prepare as much as possible. Not only is Darca fully equipped to implement hybrid classes when necessary, or supplement additional teaching hours as we have been for most of this academic year due to absent staff in reserves, Darca’s professional staff is ready with an array of tools and techniques to support each other and their students’ emotional well-being.

Darca Shikma students, as you all know, are among the most affected boys and girls in the country. Throughout the year, Darca has been working with mental health experts to ensure the care and communication with these students is most appropriate, beneficial, and constructive. In a moving event to commemorate the three 12th grade boys (Or, Nadav, and Tal, who went fishing on the Zikim beach on October 7 and were murdered by Hamas terrorists), the Shikma community gathered on the beach for a relay race called “Fishermen on the Moon,” which was planned and coordinated hand-in-hand with the three families and friends of the boys. The community hopes to recreate this event annually, with varied activities and new memories and stories to share at stations throughout the race.

In light of their situation, it is particularly astonishing that 98% of Shikma students sat for their winter Bagrut matriculation exams (delayed to March 2024, due to the war). Test results are not yet in, but the fact nearly all students showed up is testament to the stability they’ve been afforded by Darca’s dedicated professionals, allowing them to focus on their studies and their futures in these exceptionally challenging times. Darca is looking forward to more progress in this community as they navigate the shift towards finally reuniting in one school, currently in Nitzanim and hopefully soon, when possible, back “home” in Yad Mordechai.

From this same hard-hit region, Darca’s students in Ashkelon participated in the impressive national competition for robotics and engineering, held annually by the Ministry of Education for more than 20 years now. The judges were particularly moved by their submission, as the students had developed a pair of robots whose goal was to find one another in a Hamas-built tunnel, while one was above ground, using tracking and cameras. In this same competition, Darca congratulates students from our Druze Makif High School in Daliyat el-Karmel, who won first place in the category of Engineering Excellence.

Darca aims not only to help its students advance socially and academically, but also to provide opportunities for professional development for their staff and educational leadership. Last week, the current cohort of Haredi educators in the Educational Leadership Accelerator program (ELA) completed a 4-day educational mission in London. Of the some 20 participants, most had never spent time outside of Israel, which is in itself an experience that broadens horizons and worldviews. Over the course of the trip, participants explored significant cultural sites and visited schools across the spectrum, which they described as eye-opening and life-changing. In particular, the visit to the Ultra-Orthodox school was especially meaningful and gave them an opportunity to see the way their community lives outside of Israel, completing full secular and religious studies and exams, before pursuing meaningful employment alongside their religious lifestyles. These days in particular, with so much tension in Israel around the level to which the Ultra-Orthodox community is integrated into society, Darca’s Educational Leadership Accelerator for Haredi educators holds all the more heightened importance, and we look forward to seeing the lessons these educators will bring back to their respective schools and communities.

****

Last week, Israel marked Yom Ha’Zikaron, memorial day, followed by Yom Ha’Atzmaut, independence day. We remembered with heavy hearts the sacrifices of our brave soldiers and victims of terror, with the reality and implications of young lives cut short made that much more difficult to bear.

One loss remembered in recent days is Shachak Madar z”l, a graduate of Darca Liheman High School in Dimona, who was murdered at the Nova Festival on October 7. Shachak’s sister, Carmel, also a graduate of Darca Liheman, was chosen as one of the Presidential Honorees of the IDF for 2024. On behalf of the Darca leadership, we wish a hearty congratulations to Lieutenant Carmel Madar, first in her family to reach an officer rank, on this noteworthy accomplishment. She brings immense pride to her family, her city, and the entire Darca network, having touchingly dedicated her service in recent months to the memory of her brother. Together, Carmel and Shachak z”l represent a heart-wrenching symbol within one family of, on the one hand, how hard Israel fights day-to-day for its continued independence, and on the other, what we risk if we would stop.

Time after time, Am Yisrael has collected itself from the lowest of lows to rise from the ashes; in the transition between these two days each year, we recognize and celebrate the miracle of the State’s independence, holding onto hope for a more peaceful and vibrant future. With support from friends around the world, we at Darca are strengthened in playing our role in the building of a better future for the State of Israel.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Earlier this week, Israel faced an unprecedented attack from the Islamic Republic of Iran. The fact that the attack inflicted minimal damage is testament to the strength of Israel’s alliances and expertise of Israel’s Defense Forces. While one of the missiles struck the backyard of the Darca Odem dormitory in the Golan Heights city of Katzrin, thankfully none of our students were on-campus at the time, as we had preemptively evacuated them to their homes the Friday before.

The attack, and its countless repercussions – among them, the full closure of Israel’s airspace – almost jeopardized the Dimona Zinman Darca High School Roboactive 2096 team’s participation in the prestigious FIRST international robotics competition in Houston, Texas. Nevertheless, without despair, the entire team managed to rebook their flights yesterday with new connections to make it there just in time. We wish them much luck and look forward to seeing their innovative designs.

Darca is also proud of its students in Ashkelon’s Mekif He’ High School who were featured in the news for an uplifting project they completed. After many months of preparation, students in the tourism study track presented a project that includes a comprehensive plan to revitalize tourism in the Gaza envelope, and required the students to study the various points of culture, history, economy, and demography of the area. All of us look forward to the day, hopefully soon, when the South will flourish once again.

And up North, we were moved to see Darca Shaked alumni gather for a springtime reunion, which culminated with an emotional ceremony at the refurbished memorial for fallen soldiers at Darca Shaked, a memorial which has unfortunately added significantly more names in the past six months. We all send strength and healing to this community which has sacrificed so much in the October 7 war, as well as in previous ones, to secure Israel’s safety.

It was reenergizing last week to host some of Youth Renewal Fund’s leadership, traveling north and south together, witnessing first-hand the varying degrees of impact the war has had on Darca Schools. Standing in solidarity with students in Darca’s Geon Hayarden and Shaked schools in the Valley of Springs, and in Darca Gymnasia in Kiryat Malachi, the feeling of unity and hope was palpable. The determination and success of Darca’s young women and men, against the odds, in calm times and especially now during this war, is inspiring and made possible only due to the unwavering support of Darca’s partners worldwide – whether “on the ground” or from afar.

As we steadily approach 200 days of war, it feels unfathomable to have been living this reality for so long. Yet, I am strengthened by the upcoming Passover holiday and the knowledge that the People of Israel have once before been released from the chains of captivity, broken free from their suffering, and have come out on the other side more unified and ready to start a new journey.

With prayers for a safe, liberating, unified, happy, and healthy Passover from our Darca family to yours,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

It has been close to six months since October 7, when alongside national tragedy, the Darca community buried too many of our own students and graduates. Among them the Shikma Darca High School’s Or Taasa, and his father, Gil. Or headed out before dawn to fish with a group of friends at Zikim beach, where minutes later Hamas terrorists infiltrated by sea and killed them. Around the same time, back home in kibbutz Netiv Ha’asara, his father Gil saved Or’s two younger brothers by jumping on a grenade that terrorists threw into the safe room, sacrificing himself but saving his sons.

Much of the Taasa family’s tragic morning was caught on camera, and circulated as part of the raw-footage video the IDF compiled to combat denial about the horrors that unfolded during the attack. Or’s mother and brother Koren (13), also a Darca student, recently interviewed for the prominent Channel 12’s Uvda (Fact) TV-series in order to piece together the tragedies that transpired that morning. In this gripping episode that combines interview with October 7 raw footage, you can see ultimate bravery, sacrifice, and unimaginable composure in the face of unprecedented danger. The clip is not short, but I highly recommend viewing through to the end, to see how a Darca family endured the unthinkable, experienced heavy loss, and is slowly rising from the ashes with heads held high.

On a related note, it is important to know Israel is currently on very high alert in anticipation of a potential Iranian retaliation for Israel’s alleged strike in Syria earlier this week in which several high-ranking Iranian military officials were killed. Israel’s air defenses have all been bolstered, home leave for all combat soldiers has been cancelled, and widespread malfunctions in navigation systems have been reported and apparently linked to Israeli security measures. I will, of course, continue to update as the situation develops.

At this time, we pray for quieter and peaceful days ahead, we pray for the Taasa family’s resilience, for all the hostages to return home, and for our soldiers to be protected.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

In light of recent events, the 134 hostages in Gaza remain in our hearts and at the forefront of our thoughts, now more than ever. Last week, several Darca schools participated in the nationwide “Yellow Day” initiative to wear yellow in solidarity with the hostages and their families. Many schools also displayed yellow flags, including at Darca Begin in Gedera, the alma mater of Omer Wenkert, a Darca graduate who has been held hostage in Gaza for 174 days now. On behalf of Darca’s leadership and the entire Darca family, we stand with the Wenkerts and eagerly await Omer’s return home.

Earlier this week on Purim, Israelis nationwide grappled with balancing the harsh reality in which we find ourselves, and the expression of joy that is central to the holiday. Across the Darca network, teachers and students in schools throughout the country put forth admirable effort to find that balance, to celebrate a historical episode of the Jewish People’s survival against the odds, and at the same time, to not lose sight of the Jewish People’s current fight against modern evil, and our enduring pleas to bring the hostages home.

This sort of behavior is clearly, and always has been – since the time of Queen Esther until today – the strength of the Jewish People; that even in the midst of devastation, we never lose hope, and at the same time, never forget the tragedies that have befallen us. We always find ways to harness the challenges in our past and use that to move forward toward a brighter future.

Darca students, too, are supported and motivated by their educators to overcome the challenges in their lives, and create their own bright futures. Last week in Tirat Carmel, student council members at the Darca Makif Shifman High School traveled with a group of Tirat Carmel residents to Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv and visited wounded soldiers, marking the national “Day of Good Deeds” on March 19th. Other Darca schools participated in the day by cleaning up the beaches or local parks, spending time with children in the hospital, visiting elderly residents of a senior center, packaging food deliveries, or preparing baskets of snacks, (the traditional mishloach manot of Purim), for needy families.

As always, we are deeply moved and encouraged by the staff and students of Darca schools who manage to find and create moments of light and hope in the darkness that is sometimes our world. All of us continue to pray for the safe release of our hostages, including our own Omer Wenkert, and for lasting peace in our homeland.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

After five months of suspended in-person, large-scale Darca seminars, our professionals were full of energy and excitement to organize the first educators’ conference of this kind since the war began. Last week, Darca teachers in Ashkelon and Hof Ashkelon gathered to explore the topic of safe school environments, which is more important now than ever before. Our students experience this extended period of instability on a national level and for many of them on a deeply personal level at home, too. Given this situation, it becomes critical for school staff to provide our students with a safe haven, free of tensions and violence among students. Together with Darca’s social education leadership, teachers learned techniques and gained tools for dealing with school violence and discussed methods for fostering safe, healthy school environments.

This conference was one of a few moments recently that gave Darca’s Ashkelon communities special reason to feel hopeful and almost “back to normal,” in a sense. The Makif Daled Darca High School celebrated three students for their excellence in various fields this week: Uri Shavanpour (8^th grade) won third place in Israel’s national Bible competition (Chidon HaTanach), Ari Konopov (8^th grade) won second place in the national Youth Karate competition, and Roni Chen Goldberg (9^th grade) won first place in the national 50m Butterfly Swimming competition. The principal of Darca Makif Daled shared her immense pride in the students, stating that their achievements illustrate the power of hard work and encouragement towards excellence.

Darca also wishes a hearty congratulations and best of luck to Darca Begin (Gedera) alum, Avishag Semberg, for qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Avishag won a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games, representing Israel in Taekwondo, and has medaled several times in the sport’s European and World Championships since she was a Darca student in 2016. Avishag’s national pride on the global stage is heartwarming, especially during these challenging times.

However, in a moment that brings the war sharply back into focus, the Darca Makif Daled principal shared another statement this week, fondly remembering alum Sivan Asraf z”l, who was murdered on October 7 at the Nahal Oz army base with just days left in her IDF service. This followed a moving announcement of the school choir that they have decided to dedicate the special Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) performance in Sivan’s memory. Months ago, we shared a beautiful rendition of the Eviatar Banai song, “Ad Machar,” recorded by this talented choir, and look forward to what will surely be a powerful Memorial Day ceremony.

As we wished then, we wish now – for the speedy return of our brothers and sisters in captivity, and we hope and pray for a peaceful future for all of Israel.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

With a heavy heart, Darca adds one more name to the list of now 54 students and graduates killed in this ongoing war. Today we mourn Major Iftah Shahar z”l. Serving his reserves duty with the Givati Brigade’s Tzabar Battalion, Iftah and another soldier were killed by an explosion in a booby-trapped building in Gaza City yesterday morning. At just 25 years old, Iftah leaves behind his parents and three siblings, and countless friends and community members.

Iftah was a graduate of Shitim Darca in the Arava Tichona, deep in Israel’s southern region. During his eulogy by the Shitim Darca principal, Iftah was remembered first and foremost as a mensch. He stood up for what was right, always considered his friends’ feelings, and worked hard to rise above mediocrity – yet, never felt that he acted exceptionally, only that he carried himself as he believed one ought to behave in the world. Iftah was the one who would call the teacher when he was concerned for a friend in the class, the one who would reach out when he felt someone needed an extra hand. He was simply, a mensch.

Although he ultimately enlisted in active duty to the elite Shaldag unit of the Israeli Air Force, Iftah decided to defer his military service in order to pursue one year of national service, volunteering for the “Wing of Love” organization that helps rehabilitate youth at risk and re-integrate them into society. He was close with his teachers and they supported him in his decided path. This service undoubtedly shaped Iftah prior to his military service, where he worked hard to become an officer and then a commander.

Iftah’s humility and kind smile, his work ethic and leadership, and his warmth were all what made him uniquely himself in all aspects of his life. The bitter news of his death breaks the hearts of all who knew him, and the entire Darca family.

May Iftah’s memory be a blessing, and may all of Israel experience peaceful days soon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Darca’s schools work year after year to instill in students a deep desire to contribute to the State of Israel following high school, whether in the IDF or national service. Our professionals expose students to the most significant and desirable types of service, knowing that meaningful service has the potential to propel them in Israeli society and the workforce. This year, Darca’s activities to promote meaningful service hold extra weight, as current students observe the heroism and sacrifice of young men and women not much older than themselves on a day-to-day basis. And in recent weeks, this was achieved in Darca schools both in Kiryat Malachi and Bat Yam, as we witnessed students in awe and reverence of what it means to serve the greater good in the State of Israel.

The Gymnasia Darca High School in Kiryat Malachi harnessed the power of artistic expression to encapsulate the complex emotions surrounding the entire nation’s response to a particularly heavy loss on October 7 – the targeted murder and abduction of the “tatzpitaniot” on the Gaza border. In Gymnasia Darca, a 7th grade homeroom teacher, Opal Pinto, who was herself a tatzpitanit in the IDF, launched a beautiful project to honor and remember these young women called, “The Eyes that Watch Over Us.” The role of tatzpitanit, a typically female soldier who works in the observation decks at Israel’s borders, garnered national attention following the massacre of October 7 for its significance in protecting Israel’s security. For this project, each student was assigned an individual soldier who was either murdered or kidnapped, learned about her life, and created a representation of her uniqueness on a pair of binoculars. Hung all together on a wall, the binoculars became an art installation in the school that memorializes dozens of young women in a personal, powerful way, and at the same time teaches students about this important role in the IDF.

While art is helping young students in Kiryat Malachi connect to the meaningful possibility of IDF service, students of Hammer Darca High School in Bat Yam lived every day of the last four and a half months understanding deeply what it means to put aside one’s “regular” life in service of the nation. Their principal, Yehoshua Strick, demonstrated this personally as he served in the IDF reserves as a Battalion Commander since the start of the war. Upon his return, the students and staff rolled out a literal red carpet for him, highlighting their respect for his service and sacrifice. Principal Strick’s interview with Channel 13 News was incredibly moving and reminds us all of our responsibility to one another. You can view the video here.

On behalf of the entire Darca leadership, we share tremendous pride in our students and staff for the many ways they have stepped up to contribute to the State of Israel during this extended, challenging time. In difficult situations as these, moments of hope and beauty motivate us to move forward and work harder towards a brighter future. The unwavering support of partners around the world enables Darca to do this, and we extend our deepest appreciation to you, as always.

I look forward to sharing more moments of light and hope with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

I am devastated to share that last Thursday, the Darca community lost one more dear graduate, Staff Sergeant Noam Haba (21) of the Paratroopers Brigade’s 202nd Battalion, who fell fighting for Israel’s security in south Gaza. The Haba family has experienced endless tragedy, as just 35 years ago, Noam’s uncle Yossi was killed during operational activity in Gaza City.

Noam is the youngest of four children, all of whom graduated from Darca’s Rene Cassin high school. He was planned to complete his mandatory IDF service within the next two weeks, after which he intended to travel the world with his group of closest friends. Darca teachers remember him as a good student, and that he stood out for his exceptional social skills. He was a leader in the school, always volunteering to help in school programming and take on operational responsibilities for class trips. He was the glue that united his entire class grade.

It is no surprise then that as he was laid to rest on Har Herzl accompanied by hundreds of family and friends, his army comrades recounted how he always raised moral amongst the soldiers in Gaza, in the most difficult of conditions, and would never let anyone break under the circumstances. Noam’s siblings who grew up in the Darca family, expressed disbelief at an entire life, now gone. His mother shared the excitement she felt building up in her in anticipation of him coming home from Gaza, only to be left now waiting.

Darca is heartbroken to see 53 family members, students, and graduates, taken from us, but we find strength and resolve through their courage and commitment. May Noam’s memory be a blessing, and may the sacrifices of Israel’s young men and women on the frontlines bring security and peace for Israel.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

With heavy hearts, Darca adds another name to its list of fallen students and alumni. Staff Sgt. Omer Sarah Benjo z”l, from Moshav Ge’a in Hof Ashkelon, graduated Shikma Darca High School in 2021 and was just one month away from her army release date when a rocket from Lebanon hit her base in Safed yesterday. Omer was only 20 years old and is now the 52nd Darca family member killed in this war.

This is a devastating blow to the Shikma Darca community in particular, families that have already suffered so much and buried so many of their own since October 7. At the same time, this event is yet another harsh reminder of the continuously escalating attacks in Israel’s North and the growing danger of Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In an interview with the Israeli publication ynet, Dganit Karni-Becher, Omer’s homeroom teacher from Shikma Darca, described her as bright, quiet and humble, with a big heart and open eyes, always curious and inquisitive. Dganit said Omer was determined to work hard to achieve her dreams, including to travel after her army service and study civil engineering. Recently, Omer had actually intended to sign on for reserve duty, to continue contributing to the war effort beyond her mandatory service. Today, we are heartbroken that Omer’s dreams and future have been shattered.

Yet, a glimmer of light in this darkness is certainly the Darca students who continue to do their utmost in and outside of the classroom, contributing to the war effort themselves, and at the same time, to their own development as individuals. For instance, an 11th grade student in Darca Ulpana in Netivot, Avigayil Esther Abu, initiated a command center for 80 volunteers – including alumnae of the school, young women in national service, local residents, and even a homeroom teacher – to support the spouses and families of reserve duty soldiers in the town with babysitting, household chores, or anything they need. Recipients of the assistance describe the volunteers as angels sent from heaven, giving them an opportunity to breathe and have a moment to themselves.

Darca is proud of its alumni and students who are giving their all to affect positive change in these challenging times. Not only will we continue to stand behind them with critical emotional and social support, but Darca also remains committed to providing its educators, staff, and students access to meaningful, high-quality educational opportunities that shape them as individuals and thus, shape the future of a more equal Israeli society. This is made possible due to the steadfast support of Darca’s friends worldwide. Thank you for your ongoing partnership.

Let us continue to pray for an immediate return of the remaining hostages, and lasting peace in Israel.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

We have passed the war’s four-month mark, and with that, this conflict is now Israel’s longest open war since 1948’s War of Independence. The fact that over 100 hostages are still held captive by Hamas, and that tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers are in harm’s way protecting the Israeli state, continues to tie a knot in our hearts. However, as a beacon of light among the darkness, we are overjoyed by last night’s news that two hostages were successfully rescued by the IDF in Rafah and have been returned safely to Israel.

Alongside this, Darca Schools, and its community of inspiring students, remains innovatively committed to the war effort. Our students from the Darca New High School in Bat Yam collaborated with the elite IDF intelligence Unit 81 to develop an add-on to the drones currently being used in the Gaza strip and in the North. The students worked in their school laboratory to build a prototype, which the IDF is using to implement in the field. For reasons of confidentiality and security, no further information on the development was made public. This achievement makes us proud to show that, given the right resources and support, students from the periphery can lead the way and contribute valuably to Israeli society.

Darca builds the foundations for such student innovation through carefully crafted programming that focuses on cultivating motivation and instilling the belief in students that the sky is the limit. Over the last week, for example, female midrasha students in Hof Ashkelon discovered the power of body language and non-verbal communication, aspiring Darca diplomats simulated an International Court of Justice hearing to work on their critical thinking and Zionist values, and Darca athletes honed their teamwork and discipline on the soccer field. This is just a taste of how Darca, even during these turbulent times, is developing the next generation of Israeli leaders.

Darca’s community of students and educators thank you for your steadfast support, which has provided them with continuity in their enriched and high-quality learning opportunities.

Let us continue to pray for an immediate return of the hostages, and sustainable peace in Israel.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

On Tuesday of last week, Israel awoke to news of the deadliest incident in the IDF’s Gaza ground offensive, claiming the lives of 21 soldiers. The grief, and utter shock, is still palpable today. And yet, Israel must dig ever deeper, for the strength to continue this just war against a terror organization with no regard for life, not Palestinian life, and certainly not Jewish life. The war’s level of complexity is only slowly becoming clear, with Hamas operating out of an underground tunnel network spanning between 350 to 450 miles long, with some 5,700 separate entrances, many of them with access from civilian houses, hospitals, schools and other institutions. (By comparison, the London Underground is “only” 249 miles long.)

Against all odds, Israel’s Defense Forces continue to make progress towards the ultimate goal of dismantling Hamas, militarily and politically, executing a systematic strategy. Israel’s leadership has made evident this war strategy can carry us well into 2025, and as heavy the price, the public is united behind this cause. For the over 130 hostages still in captivity, however, time is of the essence, and an extended timetable is simply unacceptable. The psychological trauma, not to mention the growing body of evidence that Hamas has weaponized sexual assault and is likely still violating victims in captivity, makes this the most urgent cause most of us have seen in our lifetime.

While our soldiers fight to restore security, the home front draws on all its reserves and resources to maintain semblance of the innovative and productive society Israel is. Darca’s important role in this cannot be overstated. In a typical year, winter is when Darca’s flagship network-wide Model United Nations (MUN) conference takes place. Given the circumstances this year, Darca is offering “Mini MUN” conferences at individual schools, starting with Darca’s Menachem Begin high school in Gedera. Run fully in English, students represented dozens of nations and engaged in diplomatic negotiations to arrive at important resolutions (photo below). Many more Darca schools are slated for Mini MUN in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Darca’s Shitim High School in the Arava Tichona also benefited from an enriching experience, with the school’s students “hopping” over to New York for a virtual tour of the Jewish Museum. Educator and guide, Rotem Linial, worked closely with teachers to tailor the focus of the tour for this unique group of students, touching on themes ranging from identity, to empowerment, to women, to minorities (photo below). The tour includes interactive conversations, all in English, as well.

Maybe the most notable educational programming from this week came from Darca’s Sapir High School in Yeruham. “Shining a Light on their Memory,” an initiative of the school’s students to commemorate the 36 children brutally murdered by Hamas on October 7, is being displayed in the Knesset for 36 days. As you see in the attached photo, each of the children’s names, age and place of residence is etched into the display, together with 36 flashlights symbolizing their light and their spirit. The Darca Sapir High School students traveled to the Knesset to participate in the children’s rights committee meeting, and presented this powerful initiative. In this video, Lucas Adrian from the school’s 11th grade is interviewed on Channel 11 news, sharing the display’s purpose as one that commemorates and brings the 36 children’s light into the world in a time of so much darkness.

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I would like to take a moment and commemorate Sgt. Maj. (res.) Itamar Tal (photo below), of the 261st Brigade’s 6261st Battalion, who was killed in the terrible incident in Gaza last week. Itamar is a graduate of the Darca Geon HaYarden High School in the Valley of Springs, remembered as always smiling and kind. Tal was very close to his family, enjoyed his friendships, and loved traveling abroad, eating good food, playing sports, and spending time with his five nephews and nieces, to whom he served as a role model. Tal’s friends remembered him as having a big heart and instilling confidence in all those around him. Tal is survived by his mother, father and three brothers. May Tal’s memory be a blessing.

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As we are burdened with worry, uncertainty, and grief, I cannot stress enough how your steadfast support, messages of solidarity, and commitment to Darca have served as an anchor of stability, and helped the entire Darca community hold on to hope for more peaceful days ahead.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As we pass the 3-month mark of this war, Israelis still confront immense uncertainty. An alleged Israeli drone strike killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri on Lebanese soil, escalating aggression on the Northern border as Israelis brace for a forceful response. Houthi rebels continuously target ships passing through the Red Sea en route to Israel, regardless even of whether the ship’s ownership is linked to the Jewish state. And fighting, both on the ground and from the air, continues in North, Central, and South Gaza, as the IDF claims it has dismantled Hamas’ military framework in Northern Gaza. All the while, Iran’s link to all these aggressions has become indisputable. US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, on his fourth trip now to the region, summarized by saying: “This is a moment of profound tension for the region. This is a conflict that could easily metastasize, causing even more insecurity and suffering.”

This sense of uncertainty, coupled with heavy insecurity, is not only felt on Israel’s borders, it is also wholly experienced in every city, every town, every home. More than 130 hostages remain captive or unaccounted for in Gaza, including men, women, babies, and elderly. As they near 100 days in captivity, it is difficult right now to see a light at the end of this tunnel. Meanwhile, more than one-hundred-thousand Israelis from the Gaza and Lebanese border cities, towns, and kibbutzim remain displaced, without a clear timetable of return, and hundreds of thousands of reserve-duty soldiers continue in their service to ensure the State’s security, away from their families, their homes, and their jobs.

In the face of all this difficulty, we turn to our brilliant Darca students for a ray of light. On the back of committed and extensive work, Darca’s schools have stabilized, and performing strongly when compared to peer schools. The Emergency Campaign successfully supported and continues supporting our Darca communities with welfare assistance and emotional counseling, providing a reassuring safety net and the building blocks necessary to cope with trauma, while continuing to pursue educational excellence. The funds for a comprehensive, network-wide plan to administer emergency additional teaching hours are ensuring our Pedagogy Experts can make-up for lost time and return schools back onto their accelerated path. The Darca Schools Network is unique in its ability to help its communities successfully navigate these times, and it is thanks to this steadiness that we can now proudly observe our students return to enriching programming.

The Darca Maxim Levy High School, which serves as the educational home to both Jewish and Arab students from Lod, is enduring a difficult few months since October 7, with previously contained tensions among the student body surfacing. The school principal, with the close guidance of Darca’s Social Education experts, is managing the situation with full competence, and while challenges still arise, the school’s resilience is reflected in recent positive developments. This past month, the school launched an innovative program to empower female students, and cultivate teamwork skills, leadership abilities, a sense of belonging, and much more, all through sports (see photo below). The female students have already reported feeling a new sense of agency, and stronger belief in themselves. The program’s success has been noticed, and other schools are looking to replicate it. In Gedera, the Diplomacy track of Darca’s Menachem Begin High School has its students engaged in eye-opening activity. Dr. Yoav Fromer, director of Tel Aviv University’s Center for the Study of the United States, has been brought on to lecture students on revolutionary music in the United States, mixing in work from musical legends to offer a capturing look into American culture, roots, and values behind such protest movements (see photo below). The students showed such enthusiasm that Darca’s team is now looking to expand this programming into other Darca schools.

As Israel continues to endure such uncertainty, with the prospects of war being drawn out for months and possibly spiraling into a much larger conflict, Darca’s resolve to serve its communities as an anchor grows stronger. With the steadfast support of our partners worldwide, Darca draws strength from your commitment and your expressions of solidarity, understanding that we are raising Israel’s next generation of leaders to confront even the most formidable challenges.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Today we mark the 88^th day of the war, as it painstakingly persists into the year 2024. As Israel’s Defense Forces continue to systematically pursue the overarching goal of eliminating the military and political capabilities of Hamas, operating in North, Central, and South Gaza now, we draw relief from and are proud of our soldiers’ progress. Each day brings news of more neutralized terrorists and more Hamas strongholds destroyed, yet the task at-hand is still a ways from being completed. News of reserve soldiers being released back to their families, to their homes, is uplifting, and yet, Israel’s top military brass continue to reiterate it will be necessary to carry-on this war well into 2024, maybe even for another year. The prospect of many more months of Israel’s soldiers on the front lines, risking their lives and their bodies, is a heavy thought. Yet, the Israeli public’s resolve comes from an understanding that we are fighting first and foremost to protect our borders, our people, and we are also fighting to uphold humanistic, universal values.

Alongside this burden looms the unresolved issue of Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, as Hezbollah and its even mightier military power increases its aggression against Israel with each passing day. All the while, Israel’s people wrestle with trauma from October 7, and grief over those fallen on and after that fateful day. Not many communities are enduring this devastation more than the Darca Shaked High School in Valley of the Springs. In a matter of days, this community was afflicted with one loss after another, in an inconceivable barrage of mourning. The school was featured in Israel’s national news in light of this emotional upheaval, and their leadership took the opportunity to publicly commemorate their fallen, as well as share insight into how a community moves forward from such pain and devastation. Both Darca’s pedagogy and social education departments, in fact all of Darca’s team, has been closely attuned to the community’s every need – We have found strength in the school’s leadership, and praise how they have guided their community, and yet Darca’s support, in all its forms, has clearly been critical to build resiliency and continuity of excellence.

In the fog which has engulfed Israel for almost three months now, we find light in our soldiers’ courage and sacrifice, and we find light in Darca’s students, who in the face of such difficulty, stay motivated to learn, succeed, and give back to their communities. A noteworthy program, for example, in the Darca Menachem Begin High School in Gedera involves students volunteering at a local senior center, improving their conversational English, while supporting the elderly residents (see photo below). This program, now in its fifth straight year, encourages intergenerational connection and enriches the lives of all participants. Alongside these efforts to cultivate values of leadership and civic duty, we are proud to see Darca’s principals and teachers work closely with students and their parents to steady the ship, look forward, and start preparing for winter Bagrut matriculation exams, which were postponed from January to March of 2024. During such times of crisis, it is the underserved peripheral communities that suffer the most setbacks, and thus Darca’s pedagogy experts are working around the clock to ensure our schools remain on a trajectory to continue closing gaps, however formidable the task.

***

At this time, I want to take a moment and commemorate Darca alum, Capt. Neria Zisk z”l (photo below), a 24-year-old graduate of Yeshivat Bnei Issachar Darca High School in Hof Ashkelon, who was killed this past week in combat in central Gaza. Neria, known for his warm smile, humor, and love for basketball and surfing, had returned from a post-army trip to South America to volunteer in defense of his home. With deep heartbreak, the news of Capt. Neria Zisk’s death brings the number of fallen Darca students and alumni to 50. May Neria’s memory, and that of all the Darca community’s fallen, be a blessing.

***

In these difficult times, and before the outbreak of war as well, your partnership, support, and belief in equal educational opportunities have been the foundations necessary for Darca to serve as a beacon of light. Together, we are transforming the future of the State of Israel, one student at a time. Thank you for your continued commitment.

On behalf of Darca’s leadership, I wish you and your families a healthy, happy, safe, and peaceful new year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Israel has been at war for 82 days.

For 82 days, 129 hostages have remained captive by Hamas, far from home and their loved ones. With each passing day of the ground operation, the IDF death toll climbs steadily. Though notable progress has been made by our soldiers fighting valiantly on the front lines, the grave security threat from Gaza is far from being eliminated, while tensions and attacks on the northern border increase as well. Altogether, tens of thousands of Israelis remain evacuated from their homes, in the south and in the north, with an unclear timeline of return. Darca’s communities have not been spared, with so many students’ and teachers’ families currently living far from home, encountering a myriad of challenges on a daily basis. Darca has remained steadfast in its commitment to aid these families, whether with welfare financial assistance, psychological counseling, and of course resolving the pedagogical difficulties that arise.

While the day-to-day reality of this war is difficult for Israelis to bear, Darca students are also filling us with hopeful optimism. We have been inspired by their will to help, their desire to take part in the national mobilization of volunteers, and their pure understanding that unity makes us stronger.

This past week, Rene Cassin Darca students volunteered in the Jerusalem “War Room” preparing boxes of goods for evacuees (see photo). The very next day, Darca Nofey Golan students traveled two hours each way from Katzrin to the “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv (see photo) in a moving show of solidarity. And even while names of more and more fallen soldiers are released, many of whom are connected to Darca communities, we share in celebration of the courage and bravery of those on the front lines who come home for brief periods. In Dimona, students at the Liheman Darca high school welcomed their teacher Yonatan in a particularly heartwarming homecoming; during just 24 hours of release from his service, Yonatan chose to visit his precious students, who responded in kind with love and appreciation.

Perhaps one of the most inspiring moments in recent days is a new interview with Shikma Darca students, Ilai and Roi, from Netiv Ha’asara. Despite the horrors they faced on October 7, despite the nightmares and the unfathomable hardship, despite being evacuated from their homes and their school, these students are not running away. On the contrary, these students – the bright future of the State of Israel – feel a sense of privilege now more than ever to stand their ground, to serve, to do their part, and to contribute meaningfully to Israeli society.

All of us among Darca’s leadership understand that “the day after” will not be an immediate, seamless transition from our current reality to the routine that was in place before the war. The weeks and months of pervasive war mentality, living on edge, and living with loss, will be challenging for our students and staff to move past. Darca anticipates an extended period of transition for our communities, especially those most affected, but will ensure that nothing stands in the way of our students’ wellbeing and success. This will be achieved through the hard work, day after day, of Darca professionals on the ground, who keep our students grounded, engaged, and learning, both in and out of the classroom. For instance, just yesterday, students from the Darca Ilan and Asaf Ramon High School in Gedera (see photos) were among the top 3 winners in a regional Hackathon, which was devoted to the theme of finding technological solutions to the current “emergency routine” state of daily life in Israel.

Until we reach the eventual “day after” point, the unwavering support of Darca’s partners and friends worldwide is precisely what enables us to stand side by side and offer our own unwavering support to students and staff, providing the stability and empowerment they need in these turbulent times.
Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Israel is reeling from a weekend of tragic news. The mistaken killing of three hostages has brought to the forefront the devastation, outrage, and sadness of the mourning families, as well as the painful reality of IDF troops in the field, Hamas’s use of psychological warfare and the complexity of urban combat, the dynamic nature of IDF protocols, and most importantly, the urgent need to bring home all the 120+ remaining hostages.

We in the Darca family are not immune to this tragedy, having suffered loss after loss for the past 73 days, along with the rest of the country, and the Jewish People. In just a few short days, Darca has mourned the loss of Sgt. Liav Aloush (Darca Ruth graduate, Gedera), Sgt. Eitan Naeh (Shaked Darca graduate, Valley of Springs), and two Shaked Darca students’ close family members: Sgt. Shay Uriel Pizem (brother of Adva, 12th grade) and Col. Itzhak Ben-Bashat (father of Eshchar, 11th grade).

Liav (21) and Eitan (26) were both fighters in the elite Duvdevan commando unit; they were killed in combat in the South of the Gaza Strip. Shay (23) was a tank commander; he leaves behind his young wife and their two-week old daughter. Itzhak (44) was a commander in the Golani Brigade and leaves behind his wife and four children.

The Darca Zinman community in Dimona gathered yesterday to remember another victim of this ongoing war, Matan Rosenberg z”l (pictured below), who was murdered on October 7 along with his uncles at the Nova music festival. Matan had just started 12th grade at Darca Zinman high school and could always be found playing piano or singing; he dreamed of starting a school band. In his memory and honor, the school inaugurated a choir, gathered in song and music, unveiled a commemorative bench on campus in his name, and released dozens of orange balloons into the night sky.

***

As the world watches the continued unfolding of this war, with growing international pressure for a ceasefire and renewed appeals for a UN security council resolution, defense chiefs from the United States landed in Israel to meet with senior Israeli officials and military figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas. The visit serves to strengthen the Israel-US bond, especially at a time when many leaders and politicians around the world seem to have abandoned Israel, and offers hope for what the next stage might be for the region.

Meanwhile, Darca professionals have been working around the clock so that whatever and whenever that next stage may be, Darca students will not be left behind. In a normal year, students would be busy these days studying, practicing, receiving extra tutoring, and preparing for the upcoming winter Bagrut matriculation exams. This year, however, not only were the Bagrut exams postponed three months, but the Ministry of Education also formed categories for students affected at varying degrees by the war to receive testing allocations accordingly. The complex implications of this system are overwhelming. For the Shikma school population alone, students and staff are dispersed in numerous groups around the country; in other schools currently housing evacuees, the management is responsible for administering various forms of Bagrut exams. Darca’s dedicated pedagogical professionals have been working day and night with individual principals and subject coordinators at the most affected schools to help them navigate this intricate system for each and every student. With the utmost sensitivity and understanding, Darca is working tirelessly to ensure academic excellence, even in times of crisis.

We are encouraged to know that no matter the obstacles, no matter the complexity, no matter the tragedy, Darca has the steadfast support of so many friends and partners across the globe. As an educator and an Israeli, I express on behalf of the entire Darca community my sincerest appreciation that you remain committed to our students in their hour of need. Together we pray for the safe return of the hostages and long-lasting security in the State of Israel, and I will continue updating you on all of Darca’s communities as we move forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Seven days of a truce allowed many Israelis to grasp briefly at experiences of “normal” life and relative quiet – albeit with a backdrop of war – hoping that, at least, the feeling of normalcy might continue. Yet, with the refusal of Hamas to release additional women and children from their captivity, and firing rockets within hours of the expected end to the ceasefire on Friday, Israel was forced to respond and has resumed its ground offensive and airstrikes in earnest. Yesterday, American officials arrived in Israel to discuss plans for “post-war Gaza,” although for most Israelis, that future still feels distant and abstract.
In recent days, the IDF has urged residents in South Gaza to evacuate further west or south as they target hundreds more specific areas of terror activity and expand the presence of troops within the Strip.
On the northern border, IDF fighter jets and drones have carried out strikes against a Hezbollah command center and other terror points in response to missiles and attacks in the region, wounding three soldiers yesterday. Throughout the north, Israeli soldiers are mobilized to protect the border from increasing violence in the region. Sixty days since the start of this war and Israeli defense and security forces have been working tirelessly to keep its citizens safe from multidirectional threats.

***

A heartwarming moment on Sunday was the welcoming of Darca Shikma High School students into their temporary new school base at Gymnasia Darca in Kiryat Malachi (see photo below of the two principals). Evacuated students from Darca Shikma were relocated almost immediately to Tel Aviv, Hadera, and the Jerusalem area following the October 7 massacre. However, remaining students from the Hof Ashkelon region, and smaller surrounding yishuvim that were also not evacuated by government order, were suddenly left with no physical building (as Kibbutz Yad Mordechai is still considered a war zone) within which to conduct educational activities – until now. Fortunately, in Kiryat Malachi an entire unused floor in our school was able to be repurposed. With some quick renovations and refurbishing entirely led by Darca’s operations team, the third floor will serve as the temporary home for about 250 Shikma Darca students until early 2024. The modest welcome event included greetings from the Gymnasia Darca principal and a patriotic display of Israeli flags. This moment is particularly moving given the history of the original refugee population of Kiryat Malachi in the early 1950s, now embracing the opportunity to pay it forward.

The Darca Shikma community has been scattered and displaced throughout the country, not gathering in the same place at the same time since the end of September, more than two months ago. On Thursday, Darca’s leadership was privileged to bring together the entire school community in Mevo’ot Yam, a coastal youth village north of Tel Aviv, for the first time. At the reunion, students and staff embraced, relaxed, and commemorated their loved ones. Students split off with their respective homeroom teachers for smaller group discussions and then regrouped for a fun water activity with the residents of the youth village. After lunch and a musical performance by Israeli artist, Ran Danker, everyone took part in an emotional balloon-releasing ceremony in honor of the hostages (see photo below) – many of whom are connected to the Darca Shikma students and staff communities directly. Just this morning, an identical event took place for our middle school students, with similarly positive and moving responses.

***

Darca was particularly relieved last week to see among the release of more than 100 hostages, three hostages from the Darca family: Ilana Gritzewsky and Erez and Sahar Calderon. Ilana is a graduate of Darca Geon Hayarden in the Valley of the Springs, an immigrant from Mexico who came to Israel on her own at age 16. Her boyfriend, Matan, is still in captivity; he and Ilana were kidnapped together from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.

Erez and Sahar are the son and daughter of Ofer Calderon, who is still held in Hamas captivity and is brother-in-law to Darca Shikma teacher, Galit Dan. In the early days of the war, I recounted to you the horrific story of Galit’s family – of her sister Hadas’ (Calderon) family, as well as the abduction of her 13-year-old daughter with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Noya, and her 80-year-old mother with dementia, Carmela. Noya had made headlines worldwide as a Harry Potter superfan, garnering attention from JK Rowling herself. While Noya and Carmela were initially thought to be held hostage, their bodies were identified among the destruction at Kibbutz Nir Oz two weeks later. Galit is just one of the Darca Shikma High School teachers directly affected by Hamas atrocities. While her family is far from whole, we are heartened to see Galit’s nephew and niece reunited with their mother and other siblings. The entire Darca family wishes them strength and resilience as they begin to recover from unimaginable tragedy.

The war continues at full intensity, and especially after those of us in Israel have had a small taste of calm, we hope and pray for many quieter days to come, and for lasting, sustainable peace in our homeland. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we will continue updating you on all of our communities as we move forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

In recent days, we have all been absorbed by the last-minute truce negotiations and subsequent release of hostages. The reuniting of families has relentlessly tugged at the heartstrings of the Jewish people and all of humanity. Each of us undoubtedly finds a piece of ourselves in the hostages – a child, a mother, a father or grandmother, a brother, sister, neighbor, or friend. The trauma is unthinkable and the separation of these families has been unbearable to watch; their reunions are slowly but surely piecing back together our broken hearts and re-instilling the hope that has defined the Jewish people for millennia.

The talented student choir at Makif Daled Darca High School in Ashkelon have put this feeling of hope amidst despair into song.

With permission from the renowned artist Eviatar Banai – of the famous Banai family of Israeli musicians and artists – the students recreated his hit song, “Ad Machar (By Tomorrow),” whose lyrics ring true and differently today than they did almost 15 years ago when it was first released. Banai himself explained that the song tells the story of a woman whose fear has washed over her, and she maintains great expectation for the kindness and love that wait just beyond the rising sun. The students’ rendition of the song is heartrending and reminds us just how close to home this tragedy has hit, and the uncertainty of not knowing what tomorrow will bring, but hoping that it will be bright. With each new day, we anxiously await more and more of our beloved brothers and sisters in captivity returning home. Among them are Darca’s graduates Omer Wenkert from Darca Begin School in Gedera and Ilana Gritzewsky from Darca Geon Hayarden School.

We pray for reunion, we pray for peace, and we are deeply grateful for your support and solidarity throughout this journey of pain and recovery.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

For most Israelis, and concerned people the world over, the slow release of hostages in recent days has been an unburdening of some of the collective pain our nation is suffering. While we know this is far from the end, with so many more still in captivity and so many remaining military objectives yet to be achieved, the safe return of each and every innocent person is immensely reassuring. They surely have a long road of recovery ahead, but reunion with their families after 50 days as hostages is a spark of light in the darkness.

***

Similarly heartwarming is the return, albeit temporary, of many reserve duty soldiers who have been allowed time off in recent days and weeks. Darca Begin students in Gedera, for instance, were overjoyed to see their home class teacher who has been serving since October 7th (as reported in Israeli news). All of us in Darca’s leadership who watched that clip could see an additional angle of this beautiful homecoming, which is the deep dedication of our teachers to their students. The fact that this teacher is still in uniform indicates that in the very first moments he was released from duty, immediately after visiting his wife and newborn child in the hospital, as reported, and before even returning home to change his clothes, he ran to see his beloved students. For all of us in the field, that is profoundly moving.

***

Another recent moment of immense pride – both for Darca as a network, and for the entire State of Israel – was the success of kickboxing champion, Monia Heno, alumna of Darca Druze High School for Science and Leadership in Yarka. Just last week, Monia raised her Israeli flag alongside a Druze flag in celebration of advancing to the World Kickboxing Championship Semi-Finals (see photo below). As a further testament to the Druze community’s integration and vital role in Israeli society, Monia stated after her win: “This competition has added significance for all of us. I wanted to bring honor to my country, and my people, now more than ever, to prove to the world that we will continue to be strong despite everything, each of us in our own fields. It was important to me to raise the Druze flag in memory of the Druze soldiers killed in combat; we’ll remember them and all the fallen soldiers forever.” Two days later, Monia won second place in the World Championship. Monia’s excellence and meaningful contribution to Israel represent what Darca strives to impart on all of its students, no matter their background.

***

October 7th was the start of the living nightmare that Israelis and Jews around the world are experiencing to this day. For too many, the nightmare was not just close to home, but in their literal homes. Daniel Nitzan, a 10th grade student at Darca Shikma High School, shared her heartbreaking account of that day and the surreal horror of terrorist infiltration into her family’s and neighbors’ homes in Netiv HaAsara. The bravery and resilience exhibited by Daniel and thousands of others on that day and every day since, is a striking illustration of our People’s battle cry: Am Yisrael Chai.

Your ongoing support and friendship as we navigate this challenging time is continually strengthening and heartening. As we slowly adjust to a “regular” war-time routine, we will continue sharing updates on our communities and hope to be able to share only good news in the future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As winter settles in and the rains begin, troops brace themselves for the next season of defending Israel. IDF soldiers in the North continue securing the border with Lebanon against Hezbollah and their steady stream of rocket launches, one of which hit the – thankfully empty – Biranit army base just this afternoon. At the same time, those on the Gazan border seem to be expanding the IDF’s control of the Strip. With all eyes on the upcoming humanitarian pauses to evacuate remaining residents of Gaza’s northern region, the IDF also warns residents of the southern city of Khan Younis to evacuate, indicating their expansion.

With the humanitarian pauses comes hope for an exchange of hostages, some of whom the IDF announced were dragged into al-Shifa hospital as captives, according to the released security footage. Just yesterday, thousands of families and supporters completed their 5-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to demand government action in order to bring their loved ones home. Today in particular, on World Children’s Day, our thoughts remain with the 40 children and babies held captive by Hamas, and hope for their speedy return together with the 200+ others. Darca is immensely proud of its Maxim Levy students in Lod who showed their support for the marchers, with Darca banners and messages of encouragement, but mostly with their presence (see photos below).

Darca students have also had the opportunity recently to come together in a healing musical experience with Israeli musician, Micha Bitton. Through the Darca Connect site, students, teachers, parents, and the entire Darca community were invited to meet for a live session with Bitton to hear his personal story, interwoven in his music. His early life of misfortune and loss ultimately brought him to Sderot, where he was integral in the blossoming rock music scene there. He spoke with the participants about overcoming challenges and trauma, realizing their dreams, and making the impossible, possible.

***

I would like to take a moment to recall the heroism of Major Matan Elgrabli, a Darca Rene Cassin alum, who is still recovering from wounds he suffered on October 7th (see photo below). As a reserves officer in the Givati brigade, Matan heard of the morning’s events and knew immediately that the IDF was needed at the site of the Nova Music Festival. He and his team headed south to rescue survivors and wounded from the festival site for over two hours, during which time they identified and shot three Hamas terrorists. Matan soon understood that the threat of terrorist infiltration was all too real and his team went to assist in Kfar Azza. Together, they went house by house to clear the kibbutz of terrorists and rescue stranded families. In one house, Matan’s gut instinct told him the cries for help from inside were a ploy. He stopped his men from entering the house, threw in a grenade and went out through the garden, where they were ambushed by another set of terrorists who they managed to shoot in seconds, saving dozens of IDF soldiers. In the heroic fighting, Matan received a bullet to the abdomen and was rescued by his fellow soldiers, carried out of danger, and brought to Sheba hospital in Ramat Gan for intensive care. He credits years of service alongside elite, well-trained soldiers for his ability to make the correct split-second call, and hopes to return to fight alongside them as soon as he regains his strength. We pray for Matan’s speedy recovery and commend his bravery and leadership in the darkest hour of this war.

***

We await the speedy and full recovery of all those wounded, the safe return of the hostages, and for better days of peace and prosperity. Thank you, as always, for your steadfast support and friendship in these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Forty days and forty nights of war, and still we wonder, when will we stop counting? Slowly and steadily, the war continues with gains and losses, yet there is no official indication it is close to nearing the end. Just yesterday, Darca’s Mekif H’ High School in Ashkelon suffered its third direct hit from Hamas rocket fire, the damage of which can be seen in the video below.

US President Biden has also reiterated that this war cannot end until Hamas is dismantled. The strategy and strength of the IDF have led to the confirmed discovery of the till-now alleged military headquarters of Hamas within the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, confirmed by journalists and US officials. Troops on the ground continue to secure the northern half of the Strip as key Hamas operatives are targeted. At the same time, Israel’s COGAT units have been working with Gaza health officials to bring in desperately urgent incubators and fuel, in response to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis on the ground. And meanwhile in the North, Israeli troops have been alert and working around the clock to prevent any advancement of Hezbollah aggression.

These long weeks have been an ongoing experience of perpetually interrupted mourning for citizens of the State of Israel, as we move forward in the war and in our lives, while the battles at every front rage on. Here in Israel, national events are simultaneously, profoundly personal. As opposed to most larger countries, Israel’s national tragedies find their way into every single home. No matter in a big city or small town, no matter a director, cashier, celebrity, politician, or farmer, there is no one in Israel removed from this reality. All of us, and perhaps – especially as seen on Tuesday in Washington, DC – all of the Jewish people worldwide, live in a shared experience.

As nearly 300,000 friends, allies, Jewish brothers and sisters gathered in Washington, DC on Tuesday – with close to 100,000 watching live online – to stand with Israel, I was encouraged to hear a single theme interwoven throughout the remarks of one speaker after another: unity. To know that we are one nation, to know that we have friends outside of the Jewish faith, standing strong together with us, is tremendously powerful. Israeli Ambassador, Michael Herzog, put it succinctly, “We are a grieving nation, yet we are united.”

The support that we have witnessed for Darca’s Emergency Relief Fund has been proof of that sense of connectedness, and further proof today is the generosity of Jared Carlitz and the Bedding Industries of America (BIA) executive team, who have donated 90 mattresses for displaced Darca family members. Fleeing their homes to safety, many of these families left everything behind, without even a bed to sleep on. Thank you for providing that basic comfort in such difficult times.

**

Darca students have sought out the light in these dark times, as well. For example, this week, our students participated in a virtual live tour of the Jewish Museum in New York with educator and artist, Rotem Linial. The tour showcased some of the museum’s most colorful and thought-provoking paintings. Rotem opened with a piece by Kehinde Wiley, which highlighted the contrasts between ancient Jewish art and the modern Jew, as represented by a young Ethiopian. The students delved into conversation about identity, Judaism, and art, and at the end of the tour, created their own personal amulets based on their identities as they perceive them.

Another moment of light in the darkness was an event this week, organized by students from Darca’s Ruth High School in Gedera: the “Kite Festival.” Every year in Kibbutz Kfar Azza, which borders Gaza, all of the children participate in the Kite Festival, which was supposed to take place this year on Saturday, October 7th. Our students held the event in memory of the Kutz family who founded the beautiful tradition there and were all murdered – mother, father, and all 3 children – by Hamas terrorists, and in memory and honor of all the victims from that horrible day.

**

I would like to take this opportunity to commemorate Noam Yossef Abu z”l, who was killed in combat last week in Gaza at just 20 years old. Noam graduated from Darca Liheman High School in Dimona, and was known for his quiet and humble leadership, his sportsmanship and athleticism, his willingness to help others, and his ability to genuinely touch the lives of those around him. He worked tirelessly to enlist in a combat unit after high school, and was so proud of successfully completing his sniper’s course last summer (see photo below). Noam’s parents, sisters, girlfriend, and entire community will miss his big heart and warm smile. May his memory be a blessing.

**

In these dark times, I look forward to continuing to search for the moments of light. We pray for strength, comfort, resilience, and ultimate peace, and are grateful for your unwavering unity and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Forty days and forty nights of war, and still we wonder, when will we stop counting? Slowly and steadily, the war continues with gains and losses, yet there is no official indication it is close to nearing the end. Just yesterday, Darca’s Mekif H’ High School in Ashkelon suffered its third direct hit from Hamas rocket fire, the damage of which can be seen in the video below.

US President Biden has also reiterated that this war cannot end until Hamas is dismantled. The strategy and strength of the IDF have led to the confirmed discovery of the till-now alleged military headquarters of Hamas within the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, confirmed by journalists and US officials. Troops on the ground continue to secure the northern half of the Strip as key Hamas operatives are targeted. At the same time, Israel’s COGAT units have been working with Gaza health officials to bring in desperately urgent incubators and fuel, in response to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis on the ground. And meanwhile in the North, Israeli troops have been alert and working around the clock to prevent any advancement of Hezbollah aggression.

These long weeks have been an ongoing experience of perpetually interrupted mourning for citizens of the State of Israel, as we move forward in the war and in our lives, while the battles at every front rage on. Here in Israel, national events are simultaneously, profoundly personal. As opposed to most larger countries, Israel’s national tragedies find their way into every single home. No matter in a big city or small town, no matter a director, cashier, celebrity, politician, or farmer, there is no one in Israel removed from this reality. All of us, and perhaps – especially as seen on Tuesday in Washington, DC – all of the Jewish people worldwide, live in a shared experience.

As nearly 300,000 friends, allies, Jewish brothers and sisters gathered in Washington, DC on Tuesday – with close to 100,000 watching live online – to stand with Israel, I was encouraged to hear a single theme interwoven throughout the remarks of one speaker after another: unity. To know that we are one nation, to know that we have friends outside of the Jewish faith, standing strong together with us, is tremendously powerful. Israeli Ambassador, Michael Herzog, put it succinctly, “We are a grieving nation, yet we are united.”

The support that we have witnessed for Darca’s Emergency Relief Fund has been proof of that sense of connectedness, and further proof today is the generosity of Jared Carlitz and the Bedding Industries of America (BIA) executive team, who have donated 90 mattresses for displaced Darca family members. Fleeing their homes to safety, many of these families left everything behind, without even a bed to sleep on. Thank you for providing that basic comfort in such difficult times.

**

Darca students have sought out the light in these dark times, as well. For example, this week, our students participated in a virtual live tour of the Jewish Museum in New York with educator and artist, Rotem Linial. The tour showcased some of the museum’s most colorful and thought-provoking paintings. Rotem opened with a piece by Kehinde Wiley, which highlighted the contrasts between ancient Jewish art and the modern Jew, as represented by a young Ethiopian. The students delved into conversation about identity, Judaism, and art, and at the end of the tour, created their own personal amulets based on their identities as they perceive them.

Another moment of light in the darkness was an event this week, organized by students from Darca’s Ruth High School in Gedera: the “Kite Festival.” Every year in Kibbutz Kfar Azza, which borders Gaza, all of the children participate in the Kite Festival, which was supposed to take place this year on Saturday, October 7th. Our students held the event in memory of the Kutz family who founded the beautiful tradition there and were all murdered – mother, father, and all 3 children – by Hamas terrorists, and in memory and honor of all the victims from that horrible day.

**

I would like to take this opportunity to commemorate Noam Yossef Abu z”l, who was killed in combat last week in Gaza at just 20 years old. Noam graduated from Darca Liheman High School in Dimona, and was known for his quiet and humble leadership, his sportsmanship and athleticism, his willingness to help others, and his ability to genuinely touch the lives of those around him. He worked tirelessly to enlist in a combat unit after high school, and was so proud of successfully completing his sniper’s course last summer (see photo below). Noam’s parents, sisters, girlfriend, and entire community will miss his big heart and warm smile. May his memory be a blessing.

**

In these dark times, I look forward to continuing to search for the moments of light. We pray for strength, comfort, resilience, and ultimate peace, and are grateful for your unwavering unity and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

It is difficult to believe that more than five weeks have passed since October 7th. While the IDF’s ground operation in Gaza continues to make progress towards its goal of eliminating Hamas’ military and political capabilities, it is encountering numerous difficult challenges along the way. At the moment, the IDF has closed in on Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital, where Hamas has a key command center. The dilemma is clear, as US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, expressed, “Hamas is operating in a way that is outside the bounds of any civilized concept of how you would think about using a hospital, using human shields.”

The IDF has encountered similar challenges as it attempts to benevolently supply the hospital with fuel for its operations, or establish humanitarian corridors so Gazan civilians can move to safe areas. In these many cases, it is putting Israeli soldiers at-risk in an effort to minimize civilian casualties. Hamas views the IDF’s commitment to ethical standards as a weakness to be exploited, enabling them to claim the lives of 44 Israeli soldiers since the start of the ground operation. One of these soldiers who fell over the weekend is Sgt. Maj. (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz, 44, principal of the ORT Pelech High School in Jerusalem. Yossi was a highly respected school principal, and the entire Israeli education system mourns this loss. He leaves behind his wife Hadas and their five children. May Yossi’s memory be a blessing.

Meanwhile in the North, Hezbollah continues to very gradually increase the gravity of its attacks, raising the question in Israel: what is the threshold? Israel’s leadership continues to reiterate that it is fully focused on Gaza right now, and is not interested in a war with Hezbollah. Nevertheless, Israel’s forces on the Northern front are extensive, and ready if needed.

At Darca, we continue working around the clock making sure our schools’ return to educational activity is smooth and effective. We have been accompanying each and every school, tailoring their return according to the status of each community. As we monitor our schools through this most difficult period, we have noticed one worrying trend, which requires close attention. Attendance rates, both for in-person and remote learning, have been lower than usual. Given the trauma that Israel has endured, and the fact that no home was spared, while also taking into consideration the hardship that families are still enduring, this is not necessarily surprising. Nevertheless, Darca is committed to narrowing gaps and ensuring its students are on an accelerated, positive trajectory, and thus, is looking into this development very seriously, in order to implement a strategy to restore attendance rates, even in these hard times.

I would also like to highlight notable programming Darca was able to provide its students this past Thursday, as part of Darca’s efforts to help its students through the emotional pain they are feeling. Dozens of Darca 10^th-12^th graders joined an online, guided art class led by the world-renowned artist, Rebecca Schweiger, founder of the Art Studio NY, the top-rated art studio in New York, recognized by leading media including NBC, ABC, E!, and New York Magazine, amongst others. Rebecca has a special affinity for Israel, and donated her own time to lead students through a therapeutic art session. Einat, a 10^th grader in Darca’s Menachem Begin High School in Gedera, said she “really enjoyed the lesson. It was extremely relaxing to be able to take my time and focus for an hour on just creating a piece of art.”

***

Today, I would like to share with you a video clip that the Ministry of Education put together, in which three students from Darca’s Shikma High School in Hof Ashkelon recall the morning of October 7th, and commemorate Tal Keren, Or Tassa, and Nadav Taieb, three Darca students from the Shikma High School who were murdered in the Hamas attack on Nativ HaAsara. Tal, Or, and Nadav will be dearly missed; may their memory be a blessing.

***

Let us pray for peace and quieter days in Israel and for the Jewish people across the world. We will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Thirty-four days have passed since the dark Shabbat of October 7th. That is thirty-four days that some 240 hostages, including more than 30 children, are being held captive in dark and damp tunnels, in fear and complete uncertainty. That is thirty-four days that IDF reservists are away from home, leaving family and work behind, and training and living in the most challenging conditions. That is thirty-four days that Israelis have had to process that they are facing existential threat.

The IDF’s ground offensive is advancing, eliminating more Hamas gunmen and commanders, destroying more than 100 of their tunnel shafts, and capturing their strongholds in Gaza. Despite solid progress, rocket fire continues to antagonize Israelis across the map, and the State’s leadership has indicated on-the-ground fighting is likely to extend for quite some time. This is a difficult reality to digest, as every passing day stands to bring new grief for fallen soldiers. Yesterday, first sergeant, Noam Yosef Abu z”l, of battalion 931 in the Nahal brigade, was killed in combat in northern Gaza, protecting our homeland. Noam was just 20 years old, a graduate of Darca’s Liheman High School in Dimona. May Noam’s memory be a blessing.

In this endless grief, we commemorate our fallen, and we respect their ultimate sacrifice by doing our part to strengthen Israel and what it stands for. Darca is proud of its communities of students across the entire map who have mobilized to support Israel in its time of need (see the photo collage below of these numerous initiatives). We are moved to see many groups of students setting up kitchens to prepare quality, home-cooked food and delivering it directly to our soldiers and security forces. We are touched by dozens of Darca students who have rallied to fill a vacuum and help tend to agricultural fields and animal farms, pieces of Israel’s economy which cannot just be put on hold. We are lifted by the Darca students who have volunteered to fix up and organize the safety rooms of elderly who needed help. And we are energized that Darca’s communities are finding the strength to themselves serve as anchors of stability to those in need. Darca’s Bet Yerach High School in the Jordan Valley has integrated dozens of students who have been evacuated from their Kibbutzim communities in the south. The message these new students and their families received from our school community has been clear – we embrace you; you are one of us. This has been evident, for example, when it surfaced that many of these new students are carrying deep trauma from the atrocities they witnessed back home, and Darca immediately activated its Emergency Fund to provide professional emotional counseling to them, as well, treating them as our own.

***

I would like to take a moment to remember Dror Bahat z”l, a graduate of Darca’s Geon HaYarden High School who was tragically killed in the Nova Music Festival on October 7th. Dror’s friend shared that he was “a people’s person. He was all heart, always looking to give. He was happy, celebrated life, loved nature, and especially his dog, Rider… Dror had something about him no one could miss, that moved people to want to hug him, love him, and be in his presence.” Dror hid from the terrorists Saturday morning, but at 9:50am, communication with him stopped. For 48 hours, his family and friends searched for any sign of him, until they received the most difficult of messages on Monday – that Dror’s body was identified among those killed at the festival. Dror’s joy is captured in the attached photo of him. May his memory be a blessing.

***

As we contend with bitter losses and ongoing battles of this terrible war, we continue to pray for strength and peace, and will, of course, update you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Today is the shloshim. Today we mark one month of war in Israel, one month since 1,400 innocent lives were taken by Hamas in a single day and countless others were destroyed every day since, with more deaths, thousands injured, and hundreds still captive in Gaza. During this time, the IDF and Israeli government have been strategizing, fighting, and working day and night to secure the State of Israel today, and well into the future. While the home front now settles into what is undoubtedly a new normal for the foreseeable future, citizens of Israel work to find a sustainable pace of life that entails some level of routine and normalcy, while still supporting the troops and victims of enemy attacks.

Militarily, the IDF continues its offensive in Gaza, effectively splitting the Strip in two, north and south. Once again, the IDF will attempt to open a safe passage for northern Gazans to evacuate to the south, after the previous attempt resulted in a Hamas attack on IDF soldiers. This is following more than 24 hours of IDF strikes on over 450 Hamas targets in north Gaza, including the elimination of Jamal Musa, the head of Hamas’s special operations, and the capture of a Hamas stronghold. As of today, the Israeli military death toll since the ground invasion stands at 30.

At the same time, troops are preparing for an offensive on the Lebanon border, should that be necessary; an offensive which would be supported by the United States, as stated in their warning to Hezbollah and Iran. Reservists throughout the country reconcile with a prolonged stay away from their homes and families, and sirens continue to sound in the north, south, and center on a daily basis. Israeli leadership also endeavor to reign in the extremist Jewish violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as Palestinian violence in Jerusalem, in an effort to deescalate further national turbulence.

**

As of yesterday, all of Darca’s schools have returned to some level of educational activity. For a significant portion, this is entirely remote. However, it is the beginning of a long road toward normalcy. And yet, academic learning today is not in a vacuum; students are well aware, no matter their location, of the war raging in Israel. Darca is proud of its students in the Valley of Springs (Geon HaYarden Darca and Shaked Darca) for their part in the war effort, volunteering in the absence of foreign agricultural workers who have fled the country. Yoram Karin, Mayor of the Valley of Springs Regional Council, visited the fields and saw the students in action this past Tuesday, stating afterward, “Preserving agriculture and continuity is part of national security and our collective victory in this battle. We are proud of them and commend their dedication.”

Another fascinating element of recent Darca programming was last week’s series of virtual lectures for students. The first, “From a Dream to a Changed Reality,” was presented by Adi Altschuler, an educator and social entrepreneur, founder (at age 16) of the “Krembo Wings” movement for youth with special needs, and founder (at age 24) of the “Zikaron ba’Salon” Holocaust remembrance initiative. At age 36, Altschuler is one of Israel’s most inspiring, well-honored women. The second lecture, “Car of the Future,” was led by Ron Hecht, a data scientist for General Motors. Ron has 15 years of research on the topics of speech recognition and autonomous driving and vast experience in the field. Lastly, the third lecture, “Passing the Line,” was a chance for students to hear from Paralympic medalist and Israeli basketball player, Moran Samuel. Suffering a spinal stroke at the age of 24, Samuel became paralyzed in her lower body and eventually worked to reestablish the Israeli women’s Paralympic basketball team, before switching to rowing and representing Israel on their Paralympic team in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, earning bronze and silver medals.

**

Overseas, while rampant antisemitism and anti-Zionist rhetoric continue to plague the Western world at a disturbing rate, we find strength in the politicians, world leaders, and other powerful voices who rise up in defense of Israel’s right to exist, in recognition and condemnation of Hamas as a terrorist organization that must be completely uprooted, and in support of the demand to bring home the 240+ hostages.

One of those hostages is 22-year-old, Omer Wenkert, a graduate of Darca Begin in Gedera and manager of the renowned Nina Bianca restaurant near Rehovot (picture of Omer below). On the morning of October 7th, as his parents in Gedera sheltered in their safe room during almost three hours of 25 rockets launched at their city, Omer was escaping terrorists at the Nova Music Festival. He was with friends, including another Darca alum, Kim Damti z”l, and kept in touch with his parents along the way. The last text message Omer sent his mother read, “Mom, I’m scared to death.” The Wenkerts recognized Omer in a video that was circulating, and were later informed that he was identified in another video, confirming that he was taken hostage into Gaza. Our hearts are with Omer’s parents, family, friends, and community as they endure this living nightmare, and we pray for his – and all the hostages’ – safe and speedy return.

Grappling with this new normal in the face of widespread antisemitism is only manageable, in part, due to the knowledge that Israel has support from friends and allies across the globe. As each stage of this war progresses, Darca feels encouraged by the steadfast backing of its partners. We hope for a swift and certain victory, and pray for better days.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As we near the conclusion of another week of war, The IDF’s ground offensive continues to push forward from three main flanks, strategically closing in on Gaza City. Intense overnight battles successfully killed dozens of terrorists, including key commanders, while operations to destroy the complex web of underground Hamas tunnels have commenced in areas now under IDF control. The war effort is further complicated by Hamas’ use of women and children as human shields, and by the fact that Hamas builds their war operations bases next to or under civilian institutions such as hospitals, schools and refugee camps. To date, the ground offensive has claimed the lives of 18 Israeli soldiers, young men who had their whole lives ahead of them.

The prolonged war, against the absolute most immoral of enemies, will inevitably put-to-the-test even Israel’s highest level of commitment to ethical conduct. In turn, our alliances might also be stretched thin, alliances that are critical at this time, not just for Israel, but for all of humanity. It is therefore reassuring the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Friday for his second wartime visit. Conversations will undoubtedly be difficult as both sides seek to achieve the outlined goals while obligated to ethical conduct, but this visit clearly reflects a steadfast alliance. Senior Pentagon officials even reported sending US special forces to assist in finding hostages held captive by Hamas.

As Israel braces itself for a new wave of worry and concern with large IDF forces entering into perilous Gaza grounds, the Darca team continues to work tirelessly to help its communities navigate uncharted territory. Grief has seeped into every household. Dozens of teachers are on reserve duty. Sirens warn of incoming rocket fire. Students are in a fog of anxiety. And monumental uncertainty has exhausted everyone. Darca’s antidote has been to keep moving, to stay productive, to set underlying big-picture goals while leaving room for quick pivots as developments require.

Darca’s Pedagogy team has been in constant communication with school principals, and as often needed, has identified and mobilized forthcoming teachers to help fill certain vacuums. It is working with the leadership of each school to help them understand the ever-changing governmental guidelines for their communities while tailoring a return to studies according to the needs of each and every specific community. It is important to note at this time that amongst Darca’s portfolio of 48 educational institutions, schools are found on the entire range from virtually no learning happening yet, to already fully operational schools – this of course depends on the very different circumstances each school finds itself in. Meanwhile, Darca’s Social Education team has, among many initiatives, rallied students to prepare home-made food and deliver it to soldiers serving on the front lines, as an act of support, solidarity, and to express gratitude for their brave sacrifices. Darca’s finance department has kept up work in full-gear, ensuring war interruptions do not get in the way of each and every one of Darca’s 3,000+ employees receiving their full and accurate salaries, especially at a time of increasing financial distress across Israel. And Darca’s swift activation of the Emergency Fund to purchase and efficiently distribute portable computers for teachers and students is expediting the implementation of remote learning in many communities, keeping students active and learning.

All these efforts to maintain students’ sense of belonging to their school and a desire to stay involved have led to moving student projects that express their pride and commitment to Israel. One such project, in which students from the Darca Menachem Begin High School in Gedera put together a short video clip to express their support for Israel and to call for the return of school graduate Omer Wenkert, who was taken hostage by Hamas, can be found in this link.

Let us pray together for Omer’s swift return in good health, and that all of Israel’s soldiers will return home safe and successful.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Nearly a month into the war and Israel continues its campaign by land, air, and sea, hitting 11,000 terror targets in Gaza since the start – with more yet to come. The Israeli Air Force and the Navy have also reinforced troops in the Red Sea area near Eilat, following at least three separate attacks by the Houthi militia in Yemen, which may have been a (failed) attempt to divert Israel’s efforts and attention from the Gaza and Lebanon borders. Indeed, government and military leaders reiterate their fortitude and focus – at every border – as they carry out strategic missions to defend the State of Israel.

Miraculously, the IDF successfully rescued Cpl. Ori Megidish this week, a young soldier who was captured by Hamas on October 7th. Unfortunately, alongside that glimmer of hope in the darkness, the inevitable loss of life in the developing ground operation has resulted in 13 IDF deaths so far, including 11 from just yesterday. Among them, a Darca alum, Staff Sergeant Halel Solomon z”l, was tragically killed in battle in Gaza.

Still, the war goes on, and all of Israel continues to operate for the good of the country and towards a victory that will ensure that these deaths are not in vain.

Darca, too, has been working around the clock to ensure the best for its staff and students, in this moment and well into the future. In a unique opportunity to assist more directly in the war effort, Darca schools have been used as temporary bases for IDF troops, including several schools in Netivot, the Shikma Darca High School in Hof Ashkelon and the Darca Nofey Golan School in Katzrin. This is to the great appreciation of soldiers in need of shelter. The Darca Operations department reported that the grateful soldiers in Katzrin recently relocated and left the school in even better condition than they received it!

For our students and staff, the Darca Global Leadership Skills program has been working diligently to create curriculum-based English material for schools that are not functioning on a regular daily basis, as well as for those who are either displaced or teaching/learning remotely. This material can be studied on a student’s own time, at their own pace, and is available on the resourceful, comprehensive Darca Connect site. New Vocabulary and English Literature units have just been completed and will be available soon, and other units in this category include civil rights and democracy, classroom feedback (for teachers), online escape rooms, and more. In a WhatsApp group of over 100 Darca English teachers, participants are sharing tips and suggestions, and involving others in their work, keeping everyone engaged and focused, and feeling a sense of community during this uncertain time.

This week, Darca’s Department of Social Education led a virtual workshop with 12th grade students on how to consume media in a way that it doesn’t consume you, which was met with great success. The workshop provided students with tips to reduce media stress, practical tools to change notification settings, and advice for how to protect themselves from harmful images, descriptions, and hate online.

Eyal B. shared,“I came to the understanding that in times like this, when fake news and misinformation are spreading faster than ever, it is more important to think about what I read, rather than just reading anything.”

Another student, Kim S., said,“We learned during a media session how to detect fake news, and how to handle false propaganda when encountering it. It is hard to say, but there is a bigger war going on, and it’s occurring on social media platforms.…We must remember that the future of our country also depends on how the international community portrays us, we mustn’t neglect the advocacy of the truth.”

These are words from young men and women at the cusp of adulthood, themselves just months before military service, and can be a source of strength for all of us. The media workshop and others, as well as various school-based activities, empower students and help them understand their own strengths, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and deal with trauma before it embeds itself deeply and irrevocably. These students are, indeed, our future.

***

I would like to take a moment to remember Halel Solomon z”l, mentioned above, (and pictured below), who was tragically killed in action in Gaza yesterday at the age of 20. Halel was a student at the Zinman Darca School in Dimona, and even received the Outstanding Student Award in 2021. He leaves behind his parents and four sisters, and will be remembered by friends, family, teachers, and his entire community as mature beyond his years, generous, kind and caring, soft-spoken, and humble. As a student, Halel dreamed of being a combat soldier and completing a meaningful IDF service. He worked hard to join the elite Givati Brigade and now, has given the ultimate sacrifice in service of his country. May his memory be a blessing.

***

As we contend with the bitter losses and ongoing battles of this terrible war, we continue to pray for strength and peace, and will, of course, update you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Israel’s ground operation in Gaza is progressing and expanding with additional forces. Tanks have already been seen on the outskirts of Gaza City, and the IDF reports it has eliminated dozens of Hamas terrorists overnight. Still, Hamas rocket fire continues to pound Israel’s south and central cities, keeping much of daily life frozen. Hezbollah continues to engage in acts of incitement on Israel’s northern border, threatening an escalation at all times, while the Shabak (Israel’s Security Agency) issued a warning that violence perpetrated by specific extremist settler groups could cause a West Bank eruption.

On a different front, a group of about 300 senior Israeli economists on Monday appealed in a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister to immediately halt all nonessential expenditure items in the state budget and reconsider spending priorities, in order to cope with a looming economic crisis. “You do not understand the magnitude of the economic crisis that Israel’s economy is facing,“ they warned in the letter. “Continuation of the current conduct harms Israel’s economy, undermines citizens’ trust in the public system, and undermines the State of Israel’s ability to recover from the situation it finds itself in.”

Darca has managed to navigate these turbulent times, and thankfully, continues to serve as an anchor of stability for its students, teachers, and employees. The launch of a second Emergency Fund will ensure Darca’s communities can continue to rely on a safety net through November, helping them weather this storm on both a financial and an emotional level, and keeping them resilient. Darca’s ultimate goal is to narrow gaps in Israel’s society – during times of crisis, families in underserved communities suffer most, and they stand to fall deeper into multi-dimensional distress. At this time, therefore, Darca sees it as its responsibility to make sure this does not happen, so that when normalcy is restored, our students can continue on their accelerated trajectory.

***

At this time, I would like to take a moment to commemorate one of Darca’s students, Or Ta’asa, of the Darca Shikma High School in Hof Ashkelon (photo below). Or, just 16 years old, went out in the early morning with his friends to fish on Zikim beach, when Hamas terrorists infiltrated through the sea and killed Or and his friends as they tried to hide. At his funeral, Or’s brother said goodbye with the following words: “You had so many plans, you were so young and talented with your whole life ahead of you, I’m broken into pieces. Thank you for every moment we had the privilege to spend together, I love you.” Or’s father, Gil Ta’asa, was a Master Sergeant and Captain of his team in the Ashkelon firefighters station. He, too, was killed by terrorists as he fought to protect his family and home. May Or and Gil Ta’asa’s memory be a blessing.

***

Let us continue to pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel and around the world. We will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

More than three weeks into this war, and as PM Netanyahu implied, Israel has entered the second stage of war with an expanding ground offensive into the Gaza strip. The goals he spelled out for this stage are “to destroy Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and to bring the hostages home.” The war cabinet added that this war will be “long and hard,” with other sources specifying several months and in some respects, even up to a year.

Hamas continues to threaten Israel, including Tel Aviv, with daily rocket fire, keeping much of the country categorized as ‘red’ or ‘yellow’ zones. With daycares and schools still under restricted activity, and with 300K reservists still called-up, Israel’s economy is at a standstill. Recent announcements point to grim developments, with J.P. Morgan forecasting a nosedive for Israel’s economy in Q4 and S&P lowering Israel’s credit outlook from stable to negative.

The challenges that stem from such a reality extend into Darca, as well. Darca’s Shaked High School in the Valley of Springs, for example, has 21 teachers called-up for reserve duty, Darca’s Geon HaYarden High School in the Valley of Springs has 13 teachers called-up for reserve duty, and Darca’s Hammer High School in Bat Yam has 6 teachers, plus the school principal, called-up for reserve duty. As we push to return schools to regular routines, many of Darca’s schools find themselves facing similar challenges.

For this reason, the additional teaching hours funded by Darca’s Emergency Campaign are so critical. Darca has mapped out needs across all its schools, and the emergency funds enable us to address these needs, so students’ return to their regular classes can run smoothly. I am proud to share that to this end, Darca has completed distribution of the initial Emergency Fund of ILS 3.8M, as follows:

• ILS 720K in welfare assistance to 380 families
• ILS 700K in emotional counseling to 1,765 Darca community members, across 18 schools
• ILS 1.83M to purchase 850 portable computers and ILS 100K to purchase portable cell phone chargers, wifi routers, sim cards, and Zoom accounts
• ILS 300K to fund 1,510 additional teaching hours

The remaining ILS 150K will be used to close-out requests for the month of October, and I am extremely moved to announce that a secondary Emergency Fund of ILS 3.8M was approved in order to continue meeting the immense needs of Darca’s communities during the month of November. The rate of requests in all four channels of aid has only accelerated over the last week as families recover from the shock and start looking forward, and Darca’s role in helping them recover from the trauma will be integral.

***

At this time, I would like to take a moment to commemorate one of Darca’s alumni, Ron Shemer of the Darca Maxim Levy High School in Lod (photo below). Family and friends recount that Ron was always the first to volunteer and help, embodying deep joy and a love for life. Though Ron summoned immense bravery in order to flee the Nova Music Festival and seek refuge in the Be’eri Kibbutz, the barbaric terrorists then threw a grenade into the shelter where he was hiding with his friends, instantly killing them all. May Ron’s memory be a blessing.

***

Let us continue to pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel and around the world. We will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

We find ourselves on Day 20 of this war and Israel’s military forces continue to aggressively rid Hamas of key operatives, while planning and preparing for an imminent, inevitable ground invasion in Gaza. Late last night and early this morning, the IDF implemented a tank-led raid on 250 targets within Gaza, and also arrested nearly 50 Hamas members within the West Bank. Tension and fire exchange in the North have forced residents to flee and keep the military, primarily reservist, forces in the region busy defending Israel’s borders from the relentless, Iran-backed terrorism. Meanwhile, major political figures in the US and abroad have shown heartening, unwavering support for Israel this past week, while others are showing a disturbing, frightening display of antisemitism, often masked as anti-Zionism. In just a few short hours, we will brace ourselves for any hatred that may spew from the United Nations General Assembly Meeting, scheduled for 10am EST.

Nearly three weeks into this nightmare and Israelis are still reeling from the tragedy, the losses, the horrific hostage situation, the bleak media battles, the strain on national economy and regular life, and the uncertainty of what is yet to come. At the same time, we find great strength and encouragement from the people of Israel who continue to come together in an awe-inspiring fashion, each and every individual doing what they can to support the moral fight for our safety and security in the Jewish State.

***

Throughout Darca, too, each and every one of our professionals is doing what they can in order to support the schools, students, staff, and families affected, in a variety of channels. With a traffic light style of categories, reminiscent of the pandemic era, the Israeli government has designated areas throughout the country for varying levels of openness, trying to regain some normalcy amongst the chaos. “Red” areas, in closest proximity to Gaza and northern borders, may not hold any educational activities in person, “yellow” areas may only open if the school has a shelter and only with the number of students who can fit in that space at one time, and “green” areas may open their educational frameworks without restrictions. As of today, about half of Darca schools are in the green category, a quarter are in yellow, and a quarter are in red. On a similar note, as previously mentioned, Darca’s Beit Yerah and Valley of Springs schools have opened their doors to evacuees in the area. We are proud to share that Shitim Darca in the Arava Tichona has also opened its doors to welcome evacuee students.

Still, however, opening schools physically remains to be an issue, in part, due to nation-wide shortages of armed security guards who have been called-up for reserve duty. At a time when institutions across Israel are looking to reinforce security, not minimize, this is a serious issue. Darca’s Operations Department is increasing efforts to make sure each and every one of our schools meet strict regulations, and is as secure as possible for the students who are able to attend.

Shikma Darca High School is located in the evacuated town of Yad Mordechai on the Gaza border, with many students and staff from nearby towns and kibbutzim. Of the approximately 800 students, about a third were evacuated from their homes, and have been relatively fortunate to receive at least some form of educational programming in their temporary placements. However, the remaining two-thirds of students are in “red” zones, with no capacity to attend school or any sort; many of their teachers from the area are so deeply, personally affected that even virtual classes on Zoom are impossible to accommodate. In light of this, and through the critical resources of Darca’s Emergency Fund, the Pedagogical Department has developed a course on the Teach In platform for using Generative Artificial Intelligence. Students in grades 10-12 will meet in groups of 10 for eight virtual sessions, each one comprising of two lessons. Lessons will include the use of ChatGPT, an introduction to “prompt engineering,” accuracy testing, creation of avatars and videos, and more. The course aims to gradually rehabilitate students on an emotional, cognitive level, providing structure and productivity to their days, in addition to teaching them practical skills for functioning in an ever-increasingly technological world.

Darca leadership is also working hard to bring our students the support they need in other areas. In Kfar Qasem, for instance, Darca has arranged for groups of students to meet for a few sessions with a professional psychologist for support, specifically tailored to the sensitivities in the Arab community at this time. At Darca, even – and especially – in times of war, we stand by our commitment that no student is left behind; not academically, and not socially, either.

***

At this time, I would like to take a moment to commemorate one of Darca’s alumni, Raz Mizrachi, of the Darca Ilan and Asaf Ramon High School in Gedera (pictured below). Raz was previously the victim of a terror attack, in May 2021 in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem. She garnered attention nationwide for her bravery and resilience as a young soldier, showing tremendous physical and emotional strength, after being dragged under a car by a Palestinian terrorist and working diligently to rehabilitate, both physically and emotionally. She thought, surely, she was not going to make it out alive, let alone walk again. Yet, one year ago, in October 2022, Raz not only celebrated her 21^st birthday, having learned to walk again, she also successfully fulfilled her dream of completing the Officer’s course for the Border Patrol Unit. And now, another year later, after her 22^nd birthday, Raz was enjoying life to the fullest at the Nova Music Festival when she was tragically murdered by Hamas terrorists. When interviewed by Israeli media last year, Raz said about continuing her military service after the 2021 attack, “It would have been easiest to just go home…but I am a fighter in my soul.” Friends and family of Raz Mizrachi z”l will always remember her as a fighter, as an optimist, as a beautiful singer, and as a beautiful soul. May her memory be a blessing.

***

Let us continue to pray for peace, and quieter days ahead in Israel and around the world. We will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As the days pass, Israel’s Air Force continues targeting Hamas infrastructure and top commandos, with the goal of compromising Hamas’ operation as much as possible before a ground invasion. Furthermore, the IDF Chief of Staff said yesterday that a ground offensive into Gaza was being delayed by “tactical and even strategic considerations.” Meanwhile, in addition to a highly tense northern border with Lebanon, Israel is having to contend with threatening activity now from Syria, as well.

On the diplomatic front, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeared to suggest yesterday that the impetus for the Hamas terror group’s devastating October 7 attack on Israel was the Jewish state’s continued control of Palestinian territories – remarks that are very telling of the challenge Israel faces also on the diplomatic end. Within Israel, as the education system slowly makes its way back to regular routine in the areas not on the immediate Gaza and northern borders, university studies have been delayed until at least December, as reservists make up a very large percentage of their students.

At Darca, the Emergency Fund is working in high-gear. Of note, the Emergency Committee overseeing emotional counseling has had an important development, partnering with Mr. Kfir Itzhaki. During his military service, Mr. Itzhaki ranked Master Sergeant in Duvdevan, IDF’s elite undercover counter-terrorism unit. He was awarded two civilian medals of heroism and bravery for saving a girl from rape and for neutralizing a knife-wielding terrorist using his bare hands. Today, Mr. Itzhaki is an international speaker, therapist, author, mediator, and founder of the worldwide organization, INSTINCT, teaching martial arts and psychology. Mr. Itzhaki will work closely with groups of teachers from eight of Darca’s schools with communities that have been directly and tragically affected, in order to build the foundations for mental strength, healing, and resiliency across the entire school community.

In addition, the municipality of Ashkelon has approached Darca to help it acquire hundreds of portable computers for students from Darca’s communities in Ashkelon who are in need. Ashkelon has been one of the hardest-hit cities by rocket fire from Gaza, with sirens constantly alarming the city, forcing a large portion of the city’s residents to seek refuge with family and friends living in quieter and safer areas of Israel. Therefore, the city’s schools will need to rely on remote learning for an extended period, and portable computers will be essential to ensure the smooth implementation of this. Darca has activated its Emergency Fund toward this cause.

To get a sense of the threat that Ashkelon residents have lived under for the past few weeks, I am updating you all that Darca’s Mekif H’ High School in Ashkelon has suffered two separate, direct hits to the school building. Please view the photo and two videos below that record the damage these hits have inflicted. Across the street in Darca’s Mekif D’ High School, there was another direct hit, which damaged the school’s entrance gate. Fortunately, there were, of course, no students in either of the schools.

Together, let us hope for quieter days ahead. Let us pray for Israel’s successful effort to build a more peaceful and secure region. We will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As the fog only barely starts to clear up, the overwhelming feeling now is that the Israeli people are entering into a stage of immense uncertainty. Israel’s Defense Forces are understandably and rightly keeping plans confidential. It is unclear if and when the IDF will launch a ground offensive into Gaza, and the scope of such an operation is unclear, as well. Meanwhile, the Israeli people on the whole are hoping the situation does not spiral into a much larger conflict. On another level, only small bits and pieces of information are revealed about hostage negotiations, as the nation awaits to understand the fate of over 210 hostages held captive by Hamas. With such a large bulk of Israel’s workforce called-up for reserve duty or at home with children who have no educational framework, there is also much fear around the economy’s trajectory and how that will affect household finances.

For this reason, Darca’s Emergency Fund takes on even more importance as a critical lifeline to many families. Darca has received endless positive feedback for the support it is providing across all its communities – feedback from families and even from municipal leadership, who are well aware of Darca’s support, both the extent of it and the immediacy, and also the efficiency with which it is being delivered. It is important to note that in many cases, we have heard from Darca families deeply affected by the war that Darca’s assistance is the first they received. Often, they have shared with us that they are yet to receive any form of governmental assistance at all.

Over the past two weeks, Darca’s pedagogy team has been closely tracking governmental guidance for the status of different regions/cities in Israel, and coordinating with municipal leadership, as well as with school principals, to tailor each school’s activity, taking into consideration all the unique factors affecting the specific school. Many of Darca’s schools in the South and North communities are in red zones, with no educational activity allowed whatsoever at the moment. Over the last week, several of the yellow zones that Darca’s schools are in – yellow, designating that educational activity is allowed, as long as specific safety room regulations are met – have turned to green zones – which allow for full educational activity. With this said, Darca is working closely with each school during this very sensitive time to best adapt the school’s activity to the state of its community. It is important to note, as well, that Darca’s Bet Yerach High School and our two Valley of Springs schools have been designated as schools that will absorb students from evacuated communities, and, of course, Darca’s teams are working closely with these schools to accommodate.

***

I ask that we take a moment today and commemorate Hodaya and Tayir David, sisters who graduated from our Miqve Israel schools. As Ori, their father, said in their eulogy, “You left us at a time when you both shined brightest. In the past few months, each of you gained such clarity on your life paths. Mom and I saw how happy you were, and all the positive feedback you were receiving from those around you.” Hodaya and Tayir went to celebrate at the Nova Music Festival and their father David recounts his last phone conversation with them, “I could hear yelling, I told them to lay on the ground and stop their breath… I was on the phone with them for thirty minutes until I heard four breaths — since then, no response.” For a week, the two sisters were believed to be held hostage, until news came in that their bodies were found. I ask that we take a moment and commemorate Hodaya and Tayir. Please view the photo of them below. May their memory be a blessing.

***

Let us continue to pray for peace and a quick end to this war. We will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Across the entirety of Israel, the mood continues to be undeniably mournful, with much anxiety in anticipation of what is to come. Some 200,000 Israelis are internally displaced, evacuated from their homes either on the Gaza or Lebanese border, into temporary housing. The number of confirmed hostages held captive by Hamas has climbed to 222. Hezbollah continues to keep Israel, and the world, on edge with multiple daily attacks and threats, even as the world’s top leaders express firm caution against further escalation. French President, Emanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, and Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, are all scheduled to land in Israel today for solidarity visits – revealing the gravity of this time.

In the meantime, Israel’s Defense Forces have not yet commenced a ground operation in Gaza. Reports suggest the United States is urging Israel to delay the ground operation, in order to exhaust all options of negotiating the release of hostages, and for the US to increase its preparedness, should a larger war escalate in the region. All the while, the over 300,000 reserves called-up for duty continue their service, away from their homes, their families, their jobs, and their daily life. The Israeli public, though devastated and traumatized, remains united and motivated in its commitment to remove the evil behind the October 7 atrocities, volunteering on all levels to weather this storm and ultimately, help the light come through.

Darca is working tirelessly to be this beacon of light. It is well underway, implementing a massive operation to provide emotional counseling to its students, teachers, and staff who have been traumatized and are anxiety-ridden by the ongoing uncertainty and instability. It has distributed hundreds of laptops to those-in-need in the Darca community, so that none of ours will be limited in their ability to participate in remote learning. And it has distributed welfare assistance to countless from the Darca community, helping alleviate financial distress during this difficult time. All of this has been made possible by the Emergency Fund that Darca launched to address the tremendous challenges that Darca’s community faces.

It is noteworthy that in a time of a seemingly economic slowdown in Israel, Darca is serving as a role-model. Many companies are compromising their employees’ compensation in this time, penalizing them for lost work days and a slower economy. The government, meant to be the safety network in such times of crisis, has been slow to respond with jumbled plans that are only stoking more panic. Darca, on the contrary, thanks to its Partners’ committed support and thanks to careful financial management, has been able to serve its employees as an anchor of stability, which is so necessary when many feel that the walls are closing in on them.

Darca’s strength has allowed it to remain steady through this crisis, and serve its community as a source of support and light. One initiative that embodies this is Darca Connect, a series of Zoom workshops and lectures with Darca experts and well-known celebrities. Darca Connect is intended to boost morale amongst students, to provide parents with tools to help their children navigate these times, and to empower teachers with training to step up in this dark hour as leaders. For a glimpse of the Darca Connect initiative, I invite you to view the following clip, a collage of lectures and workshops featured in Darca Connect over the past few days.

Let us hope and pray together that the Israeli people, the Jewish people, and the whole international community will rise from this nightmare and build a better world.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

More than two weeks into this war, and both south and central Israel continue to be threatened by daily rocket-fire, putting much of day-to-day life on hold. Israel’s air force continues targeting senior Hamas leaders, but by most accounts, a ground operation is necessary to really inflict damage to Hamas’ top brass. Over the weekend, tensions on the northern border severely escalated, with Israel ordering the evacuation of even more northern communities.

At Darca, we continue significantly stepping up support of our communities on numerous levels. As part of our effort to boost morale and cultivate a sense of belonging and togetherness among our students, Darca’s social education experts have been coordinating with teachers from our schools to deliver students balloons with motivating phrases, baked goods, and other items that foster positive emotions. Likewise, they have coordinated with Darca’s students to do the same for Israel’s security forces, with students brightening police stations and army bases with patriotic and uplifting blue-and-white decorations. Our social education experts have also implemented tailored programming for Darca’s Druze and Arab sector schools, which specifically address the unique needs of these populations during this difficult time.

On a very practical level, Darca purchased portable power banks for cell phones and is distributing it to our highly-affected students from the Hof Ashkelon area, as many of them do not have reliable access to electricity at all times, and cell phone access is more critical than ever right now. The Emergency Fund Welfare Committee has accelerated its efforts in recent days to locate students who have been evacuated out of their homes, in order to help alleviate their financial distress. And in addition to setting up a massive operation to provide emotional counseling to all those in need from Darca’s communities, we have already distributed close to 500 laptops to Darca students and teachers, in order to optimize remote learning during this time.

***

Today, I want to share with you a recent news story from Chris Anderson of CNN, about Amit Mann z”l, a graduate of Darca’s Itzhak Navon High School in Netivot, whom we commemorated in one of the recent update e-mails. Amit showed such courage and humanity in the face of the greatest danger, and was tragically killed by Hamas terrorists as she was putting her paramedic training to use trying to save lives.

***

It is impossible to even begin to grasp that such evil exists in our world. Let us continue to pray strongly for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel and in the world, and we will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

A day after President Biden visited Israel and affirmed crystal clear that the United States stands with Israel, UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, traveled here, as well, in a strong show of solidarity. Israel’s Air Force continues its air operation, successfully targeting more senior terror officials, and the northern border remains tense with daily incitement.

At Darca, we continue to support our community through the Emergency Fund with assistance in welfare, emotional counseling, and technological equipment. Many students and teachers, as well as their families, have been deeply moved by this show of care and concern, and by the powerful expression of camaraderie from such a far distance. These families have lost everything, and the aid they receive from the Emergency Fund has been a source of light for them. Many have asked us to please express their gratitude to you, and to let you know how critical your help has been.

Even as Israel digs itself out of this horror, upsetting news continues to reach us. Devastatingly, the number of confirmed Israeli hostages has climbed up to 203. It is impossible to comprehend this number, 203. As difficult as it is, I want to share with you today the heart-wrenching nightmare Galit Dan, a teacher from Darca’s Shikma High School, has suffered. This tragedy turns a number, 203, into something much, much more.

***

Galit recounts that the evening of Friday October 6th, she hosted her mother, Carmela, for dinner in Kisufim, the kibbutz that Galit and her three daughters moved to two months ago. Galit’s daughter, Noya (13), a beautiful soul with special needs, chose that night to sleep over back at her grandmother’s in kibbutz Nir Oz. In one of the houses down the street from grandmother, Carmela, Sahar (16), and Erez (11), Galit’s niece and nephew, slept at their father’s. Galit’s sister, Hadas, Sahar and Erez’s mother, also lived in another house down the street in Nir Oz.

At 6:30am on Saturday October 7th, they all awoke to sirens and entered the safe rooms. In Nir Oz, the safe room doors had no locks, forcing Nir Oz residents to keep the doors closed with their own physical capabilities. In Kisufim where Galit stayed with her two elder daughters, the safe rooms can be locked with a metal rod. On numerous occasions, Galit almost threw out the metal rod, not knowing what it was even for – but she decided to keep it – a decision that saved hers and her two daughters’ lives.

That morning in Nir Oz, Galit’s sister, Hadas, managed to keep her safe room door closed as she leaned on it with all her might, while terrorists entered her home and shot in every direction. For hours, Hadas heard endless shots firing and terrible yelling outside her home. She messaged her children and ex-husband until their communication abruptly ended at 8:30am. Hadas remained in her safe room for more than eight hours until Israel’s security forces rescued her under heavy fire.

Galit and her two daughters were rescued after twelve hours. When Hadas was evacuated out of Nir Oz she realized her children, ex-husband, mother, and niece were not with her. No one knew what happened to them. Their bodies were not found – even after the IDF searched their homes. Within a few hours, Hadas recognized her son Erez on a video that the Hamas terrorists released, and that’s how she discovered that her whole family had been taken hostage.

Since then, time came to a stop. No one can process this tragedy. Who has even heard of child hostages? Children with special needs taken hostage? And what does a terror organization have to do with an elderly 80-year-old woman, ill and dependent on her daily medicine? Helpless, the family did everything they could, including posting on social media photos of Noya in a Harry Potter costume and pleading for J.K. Rowling to circulate for awareness – which J.K. Rowling did.

Galit was notified only yesterday that the bodies of her mother, Carmela, and her dear daughter, Noya, were found and identified. Sahar, Erez, and Ofer are still missing, taken hostage.

Tragically, Israel’s residents in the South, many in Darca’s communities, have experienced such devastation first-hand. We do not know when, if ever, these communities will manage to heal. This is the trauma and the challenge that we are all confronted with the day after.

Let us continue to pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel, and for full healing. We will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Today, as you know, President Joe Biden is on a wartime visit to Israel to show solidarity and strengthen cooperation between our two countries, as we fight to create a more secure and peaceful Israel. However, the attack on a Berlin synagogue today, and many other similar acts of hatred around the world, show that this is not only just a regional war, but also one that extends across all places where antisemitism exists. If this were not enough, the last 24 hours prove the complexities of this war, as evidence surfaces that the Gaza hospital blast, which killed 200-300 Palestinians, was caused by an errant Islamic Jihad rocket. Instead of taking responsibility, they flipped the script and blamed Israel in a propaganda war.

During this challenging time, Darca remains committed to the resiliency of its communities. The different Emergency Fund committees continue to work around the clock and meet daily to process hundreds of requests for welfare assistance, emotional counseling, technological equipment, and additional teaching hours. Furthermore, Darca received an urgent request from the Netivot elementary schools that are an integral part of the Darca community, and, of course, Darca will activate the Emergency Fund to help them, as well.

Under the Darca Connect platform, intended to raise morale and offer practical tools for this challenging time, Darca is offering numerous digital programming options each day. Today, for example, students were invited for an inspirational talk with Israeli actress, Yael Elkana, Darca educators were invited to a session on “Fake News: How to Teach Wartime Media,” and parents were invited to a session with world-renowned psychology professor, Tammy Ronen-Rozenbaum, of Tel Aviv University, who spoke about dealing with anxiety, fear, and stress amongst children. Darca is doing the absolute utmost to support and strengthen its communities during this time of trauma and shock.

And yet, the atrocities that took place continue to overwhelm us, and I am completely heartbroken to write that as of today, the Darca community grieves for:

• 30 students and graduates killed
• 4 students and graduates still missing
• 15 Darca staff with close relatives who were killed or severely wounded
• 12 students with close relatives who were killed or missing

***
I ask that we take a moment and commemorate our dear Matan Rozenberg, a 12^th grade student from Darca’s Zinman High School in Dimona. Matan captured everyone’s heart with his carefree spirit – powerful curls, playful freckles, tattoos, and even a piercing. When he was called into the office at school for being frequently late in the morning, he blushed and said, “I swear it is not on purpose, I honestly just cannot wake up! It’s hard for me, whatever you say, you are correct!” When you spoke to Matan, you felt you are speaking to someone years more mature than his age, very intelligent, funny, and with such dreams and motivation for the future. He was an admired leader in the local Scouts movement, sat on the school’s student council, and played music on his guitar, saxophone, and piano. But on October 7th,  just like that, in one cruel moment, the music in Matan’s body stopped. Matan was mercilessly killed by Hamas terrorists at the Nova Music Festival. I ask that we take a moment and commemorate Matan – please view the photo of him below. May his memory be a blessing.

***

Let us continue to pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel, and we will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

At this time, the announced wartime visit of President Joe Biden is not only a statement of what is at stake, it is also a statement that confirms the ties between our two countries run deep, rooted in democratic and humanistic values. In his meetings with Israeli leadership, we anticipate they will discuss strategy on how to secure Israel’s safety, and how to hold off forces pushing the region into a much larger and widespread conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon and with the Iranian regime. They will likely also discuss solutions to mitigate a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza strip.

Meanwhile, Hamas continues its inhumane attacks in new forms, now with a “psychological terror” campaign that includes clips of Israeli hostages, and elsewhere, the effects of the war are starting to be felt beyond, including worrying signs coming out of Israel’s economy.

At Darca, each day brings even more readiness and motivation to help our community. Darca’s social education team innovated the brilliant idea of developing engaging platforms to help students, teachers, and parents cope with this time of tragedy. For example, we have brought celebrities and professionals from the fields of sports, entertainment, and media to lead inspiring online sessions with our students, during which they discuss resilience, optimism, and how to meaningfully be a part of society at this time. Many of the celebrities have volunteered their time cost-free, out of a strong sense of alignment with Darca’s mission.

The feedback we have heard from school principals is very positive, and the numbers speak for themselves, as we have recorded participation growing from a few hundred in the first few sessions, to 3,000 participants in the last session we had.

***

Today, I want to share a story of immense heroism within the Darca family. This link connects you to a news story run by Fox News, covering how Amichai Schindler, with his physical body, protected and saved his wife and six children from Hamas terrorists, until Israeli armed forces arrived to help. Amichai’s courage does not come without a cost, as the doctors at the Sheba Medical Center say he suffered serious injury and will be in intensive care for a while to come. But as his name, Amichai, says my people live, thanks to Amichai, his family lives.

Amichai is the son of Sigalit Schindler, the principal of Darca’s Nachala Ulpana School in Elad. You can see her standing by Amichai’s side in the Fox News story. This is not the first time the Schindler family experiences tragedy – Sigalit lost her other son, Amichai’s brother, in a terror attack thirteen years ago. You can rest assured knowing that the Emergency Fund that Darca launched is aiding Sigalit and her family extensively. I invite you to join the Darca community as we pray for the fast and complete recovery of Amichai.

***

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

While Israel’s Defense Forces understandably are keeping plans confidential, it does seem a ground operation in Gaza is imminent. At the same time, the IDF is keeping a close eye on the northern front, where Hezbollah continues to engage in acts of incitement. The fact that the IDF ordered the evacuation of 28 communities along the Lebanese border is, to a certain extent, telling. These developments up north will, of course, influence how Israel carries out its operations on the southern front with Gaza.

At Darca, distribution of the Emergency Fund has gone into high gear, with the different committees working around the clock and meeting daily to review and approve cases of welfare, emotional counseling, and technological readiness. Darca’s leadership team is working closely with principals to stabilize the schools, and build the foundations for a gradual return to in-person or remote learning. Each school will have to go through its own unique process, as each school confronts its own set of challenges. To get a sense of the challenges ahead, a few cases we can focus on are:

• Darca Shikma High School: the Darca Shikma High School is in the Gaza-bordering kibbutz of Yad Mordechai. The kibbutz is closed and cleared until further notice. The school’s students and teachers come from the kibbutzim and moshavim in the area, all within a close radius of the Gaza border. Our mapping efforts show that at least one third of the students live in kibbutzim that are absolutely war-torn and have suffered unimaginable atrocities and damage. These kibbutzim are closed and cleared, and their residents will not be returning to their homes any time soon. The other two-thirds, given their geographic location, are all highly likely to have had their homes damaged, lost close relatives and friends, and are experiencing severe trauma. Darca’s teams are working with the local municipal leadership and executives at the Ministry of Education to pave a path of rehabilitation and return to quality education for this community.
• Darca Netivot Schools: the Hamas terrorist infiltration reached as far as Netivot, and rocket fire aimed at the city has been incessant for over a week, traumatizing our student population. Furthermore, many of the schools’ educators come from the nearby city of Sderot, which was heavily infiltrated by terrorists who went door-to-door there massacring Israeli civilians. In preparation for an imminent ground operation in Gaza, the entire city of Sderot has been cleared of most civilians for an unspecified amount of time. The displacement, coupled with debilitating trauma in the teacher rooms, will make for a very challenging return. Also here, Darca’s teams are working with the local municipal leadership and executives at the Ministry of Education to find effective solutions for this community.
• Darca Ashkelon Schools: Ashkelon has been pounded by relentless rocket fire for over a week, with damage and casualties experienced across the city. Not only has the city’s population been exposed to high levels of anxiety, much of the population that could find lodging in quieter areas of the country, has done so. As schools return to a hybrid model of remote and in-person learning, Darca will need to pay special attention to the logistical challenges around this difficult development.

***

I ask that we take a moment and commemorate Omri Michaeli, a combat soldier in the elite Duvdevan unit who fell saving Israeli civilians in the Kfar Aza kibbutz. Omri was a graduate of the Darca Geon HaYarden High School in the Valley of Springs, as his brother recounts, “We are kibbutzniks. Omri was born in Kfar Ruppin, and he is beautiful, strong. He woke up one day at age 15, and without ever training, completed a half marathon. I don’t think he even warmed up. He finished first place in the Tel Aviv Iron Man. Omri did everything with a smile on his face, he loved the land of Israel, traveled every weekend. He reminded us how amazing the land we call Israel really is.” More than 600 Duvdevan soldiers arrived at Omri’s funeral, possibly the unit’s largest funeral yet, remembering Omri’s bravery, loyalty, and utmost commitment to his country and his people. To take a moment and commemorate Omri, please view the photo of him below. May his memory be a blessing.

***

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As we enter Week 2 of this war, uncertainty continues amongst the Israeli people. Tension on the northern border is keeping the IDF leadership on very high alert, with the United States sending its second aircraft carrier to the east Mediterranean in a clear message of deterrence against Iran and Hezbollah. The final stage of clearing all residents out of the city of Sderot will be completed today, ahead of a likely ground operation in Gaza. And Israel’s south and central cities continue, nine days into this war, to be heavily interrupted by sirens warning of incoming rocket fire.

The fate of over 100 Israeli hostages, among them children, elderly holocaust survivors, mothers, and soldiers, is still unclear, with every day that passes adding further anguish. In Gaza, civilians in the northern areas have been ordered by the IDF to evacuate south. Hamas is undermining these efforts as part of its despicable strategy of using its civilians as human shields.

The IDF, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, has issued a gradual return to learning, albeit at the moment only remotely. With so much uncertainty, planning even one full week ahead is close to impossible, so the Israeli people are living one day at a time. Where many are struggling under the stress and chaos, Darca’s teams have provided an anchor of stability and service to its communities. Darca was quick to respond by building numerous emergency committees, in order to ensure the resiliency of its students, teachers, and their families, and to quickly build the foundations for as smooth as possible of a return to routine.

Darca’s emergency committees are working closely with school principals and educators, and finding solutions to fill vacuums when school staff have been called-up to reserve duty or are unable to operate due to personal tragedy. The committee overseeing emotional counseling has already approved dozens of students and teachers in need of professional care, with the therapy expected to start already in the next day or two. For the Darca Shikma school community, which has students and teachers from the devastated Gaza border kibbutzim, Darca partnered with the world-renowned Metiv PsychoTrauma Center to address the extensive and complex needs there. The committee overseeing welfare has already issued stipends to dozens from Darca’s communities that are in need, and expects to process and approve many more requests very soon. The committee overseeing technological needs has ordered 400 laptops and mapped out a clear plan of action for how to most effectively and intelligently distribute them. Furthermore, as a picture of the status becomes clearer, the need for additional teaching hours has also become evident. With so many educators paralyzed by loss, trauma, or displacement, substitute teachers will be necessary to temporarily fill in, so as to avoid further interruptions. To this end, Darca opened a fourth channel of support in its Emergency Fund with an additional ILS 300K, that will address this urgent need, at least in the next few days.

***

I ask that we take a moment and commemorate Matan Zanti, one of the hundreds of victims from the Nova Music Festival massacre. Matan leaves parents, and three younger siblings behind, to whom he served as a role model and was always keen to support and guide. He graduated Darca’s Liheman High School in Dimona with a certificate of excellence, and especially liked computers and engineering. He was widely regarded by his teachers and served as the glue to his group of friends. Fleeing the Nova Music Festival by car, Hamas terrorists caught his car at a stoppage and shot him and his friends from close-range. They managed to flee, but Matan had protected his girlfriend with his body, taking the most serious hit. He bled for hours in the car and after 18 hours of intensive care in the hospital, his body could no longer hold on. To take a moment and commemorate Matan, please view the photo of him below. May his memory be a blessing.

***

Let us continue to pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel, and we will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

As Israel heads into Shabbat, efforts to mobilize the army, treat the wounded, and console bereaving families continue at full force. For the first time in 41 years, for example, the El Al airlines will fly on Shabbat to bring reservists back to Israel. We have seen additional Darca staff called-up to reserve duty, and are moved that so many of Darca’s employees have opened up their homes to offer warm hospitality to the countless Israelis displaced by the carnage in the South.

Darca’s Emergency Forum held extensive meetings through Friday and will continue through Shabbat to prepare for the week ahead. The Emergency Fund committees have already approved welfare requests, have put into motion large-scale efforts for emotional counseling, and have acquired technological equipment in preparation for remote learning. The funds are already being allocated as I write this message.

Entire cities and villages in the South, at the initiative of the government, are being cleared of residents, including many where Darca’s students and teachers live. Darca’s team is, of course, in close communication with these families, coordinating with other aid organizations to ensure their well-being through this tragic time.

***

I ask that we take a moment and commemorate Kim Damti, one of the hundreds killed at the Nova Music Festival at Kibbutz Re’im. Kim was a 2019 graduate of Darca Begin in Gedera. She was an excellent student, well-liked by her teachers, and respected and loved among her peers. Kim always had a smile for everyone, and was first to volunteer for any and every social event, donation drive, school assembly, or ceremony. After graduating, Kim volunteered for a service year through the youth group that she was so active in as a high school student, helping to build a sense of belonging in impoverished and underserved communities through intensive work in community centers. Kim served in the Israeli army for three years, extending her service out of a love for the country. Her family owns and runs one of the most famous, local falafel stands where Israelis are known to have come from all over the country – in fact, the YRF Leadership Mission ate there on one of its visits to Gedera. Thousands of people from her school, her youth group, her service in the IDF, and from her family’s customers, attended her funeral. The mayor of Gedera eulogized her. Kim leaves four siblings, parents, and grandparents. To take a moment and commemorate Kim, please view the photo of her below. May her memory be a blessing.

***

Let us continue to pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel, and we will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

On day 6 of this abhorrent tragedy, we continue to mourn in disbelief for the over 1,300 Israelis killed, and pray for the over 100 hostages being held captive in Gaza. We still cannot digest the awful testimonies of terror, nor the full scope of this atrocity.

We do, however, draw immense strength from political leaders across the world, most notably President Biden, and leaders across all industry sectors, from business to religious institutions, who have expressed, crystal clear, that they stand by Israel and the Jewish people. As we enter this next stage of the war, the support and words of solidarity, which all of you have expressed, give us the hope that Israel and the values it represents will prevail.

The trauma and the wounds are still fresh, as a systematic approach to the individual and collective healing is starting to take shape. In the midst of this chaos, it is still difficult to get the complete picture, but the pieces we have put together are absolutely heartbreaking.

Darca students and graduates killed – 23

Darca students and graduates missing – 10

From Hof Ashkelon, Dimona, Netivot, Valley of Springs, Gedera, Shitim, Ashkelon, Ramat HaGolan, Lod, and Miqve.

Darca’s staff are already attending the funerals, comforting the families in these most difficult times. Devastatingly, dozens of Darca graduates and students have also endured wounds that will accompany them for weeks, months, and some years to come. To this end, Darca’s Emergency Fund is already in action. Committees and clear protocols have been put in place to allow for efficient processing of requests and immediate distribution of assistance. Darca’s teams are working around the clock to help our communities heal.

***

I ask that we take a moment and commemorate Barak Ben David, Class of ’21 graduate of the Darca Liheman High School in Dimona. Barak served in the Golani Batallion 13. He was a smart, witty, funny, and an utmost pleasant individual to be around. Barak was a good friend, committed to values of peace, and always embraced by his community. He brought much pride to his parents and teachers, achieving several certificates of academic distinction in his high school studies, culminating with a scholarship he received at graduation in recognition of his excellence. To take a moment and commemorate, please view the photo below of Barak. May Barak’s memory be a blessing.

***

Let us continue to pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel, and we will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Five days into this nightmare, the shock persists, but on some levels, there’s the sense that Israel is starting to just barely breathe, look forward, and plan how to restore even a small semblance of normality for the weeks ahead.

Darca’s leadership is participating in crisis forums led by the Ministry of Education’s senior-most executives, and the status right now is that schools will be closed for the remainder of this week, and that in contrast to the original plan, students will return to distance learning, only as of Sunday. At Darca, our teams are in close contact with school principals, or substitute principals, brushing them back up on remote learning, and guiding them through the unique challenges each is encountering. More than a handful of school principals and dozens of school educators have been called-up to reserve duty, and many are consumed by stress or deep grief over close relatives either injured or even killed. Balancing all these can be tremendously difficult, and Darca is serving as their anchor through this devastating period.

Darca is committed that each of its school communities serve as a critical source of support to its students, teachers, and all of their families. The Emergency Fund we have established is already in action, meeting emotional needs and welfare needs with immediacy and strength. Good education relies on holistic well-being, and the Emergency Fund is ensuring our communities stay resilient.

On a national level, the full picture continues to unfold, and the facts are unbearable. The count of Israelis killed is up to more than 1,200, simply impossible to grasp. And estimates are that 130 Israelis are being held captive — We pray they will be returned to their families in full health. Israel’s central cities continue to be interrupted and threatened by Hamas rocket fire, while tensions in the North are escalating at a rapid pace, with rocket fire disturbing the North, as well.

***

I ask that we take a moment and commemorate a brave Darca graduate, Guy Simchi z”l, killed by Hamas terrorists while saving fourteen of his childhood friends. Guy served in the elite paratroopers unit, and when Hamas terrorists closed in on the apartment he was staying in with his friends in Kibbutz Re’im, he chose to stay outside the safe room with another friend, and with one firearm between the two of them, to protect their other fourteen friends. In the seconds before Guy and his friend managed to put down the terrorists, grenades had already been thrown into the apartment and Guy was killed. His bravery will be forever remembered, as one of his friends he saved posted afterwards, “Brother, you are my best friend. I will forever remember you. Thank you for saving mine and all our friends’ lives.” Guy was a graduate of Darca’s Ramon High School in Gedera. To take a moment and commemorate, please click on this link for a photo of Guy. May Guy’s memory be a blessing.

***

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your words of encouragement and most generous support, giving us the strength and ability to navigate these very challenging times.

Let us pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel, and we will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Day 4, and we remain at a loss of words. The number of murdered Israelis is reported at 900, and we cannot bear the thought this number is not yet final. Some 130 have been abducted into the Gaza strip, with their fate uncertain. Endless testimonies of atrocities are surfacing, which will traumatize the nation for a generation to come. This was not a war, army versus army, this was a massacre, terrorists slaughtering Israelis with no regard for age, gender, anything.

While Israel has regained control of all towns and kibbutzim in the South, tension on the Northern border, as I write this update, is escalating at a very worrisome pace.

Darca’s communities have been equally devastated. The number of students and graduates killed continues to mount, each a world, each a source of light, now extinguished. There continue to be individuals from Darca’s communities unaccounted for, and we pray fervently for some good news.

Six Darca school principals have been called-up to reserve duty, along with dozens of staff. Our senior management is working around the clock to ensure needs are met, gradually restoring a semblance of order.

***

I would like to take a moment and commemorate a graduate from the Darca Itzhak Navon high school in Netivot, Amit Mann (22), killed mercilessly in the kibbutz Be’eri. Amit was a Magen David Adom paramedic, and bravely tended to the kibbutz’s wounded while besieged in the infirmary for six full hours. In the recording she sent Saturday at 14:15, that has circulated across all of Israel, she hides in the infirmary kitchen as you can hear slaughter-filled gunshots and the terrorists taking control of the infirmary. Amit was not heard from since. To take a moment and commemorate, please click on this link for a photo of Amit. May Amit’s memory be a blessing.

***

On behalf of our students, teachers, and the entire Darca community, I want to express that your steadfast show of solidarity, your support, generous donations and love, give us the strength and optimism needed at this time of tragedy and grief. Thank you.

Let us continue to pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel, and we will, of course, continue updating you going forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

Almost three full days into this brutal nightmare, we remain speechless and consumed with grief. The “defensive” stage persists, with fear of terrorists still on Israeli soil, limiting many of Darca’s communities near the Gaza border to their homes. My heart aches to update that the count of Israelis killed stands right now at 900+.

In parallel, Israel’s Defense Forces launched a massive offensive operation in response, with targeted attacks from the air, and the largest call-up to reserve duty in our history, equaling 300K reserves. Every single Israeli has a relative, a friend, and more often multiple relatives and friends, who have been called-up. This includes Darca school principals, teachers, staff, and their relatives.

While Israel is nothing short of shell-shocked, it has found resolve — the likes that have not been seen in a long time. We are as united as ever, and the enthusiasm to volunteer and help however possible is palpable. We are continuously witness to stories of such unimagined bravery, both on behalf of soldiers and citizens, whose heroic acts to save lives will be recounted for many years to come. Therefore, alongside deep grief, there is optimism and belief.

And yet, we nervously monitor Israel’s Northern border, which in recent hours is showing signs that offer reason to worry, and which could likely affect Darca’s schools up North very soon.

As we zoom in to the Darca community, I’m beyond devastated to update that the list of dear students and graduates killed keeps mounting. As of this writing, it stands at 14. From the cities of Dimona, Hof Asheklon, Netivot, the Valley of Springs, Shitim, Gedera and Yad Mordechai. There is no solace to be found, so we recall the phrase from Job 1:16 – “While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said ‘The fire of God hath fallen from the sky’…”.

And please join me in prayer for the 12 additional students and graduates still unaccounted for, from the cities mentioned above, as well as from Lod, Miqve, and Ramat HaGolan.

As we work to steady the ship, today we conducted a remote meeting with all of Darca’s school principals, HQ management, and school supervisors, offering words of guidance and comfort during these challenging times. I announced to our principals that Darca has opened a special urgent fund to serve Darca’s students, teachers and principals in the fields of welfare support, emotional and psychological counseling, and technological infrastructure for remote learning for families in need.

I invited each and every principal to centralize and prioritize requests, and assured them that assistance will be provided swiftly and with no bureaucratic hassle. I expressed that our friends and supporters from Jewish communities across the world share in Israel’s sorrow, and that our dear, generous partners are making this special fund possible for them.

The principals were moved, and expressed heartfelt gratitude for this very strong showing of solidarity.

We will, of course, continue updating you all going forward, as we pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

I would like to provide an update for today, Day Two, of this most terrible tragedy.

As of this moment, the tragedy is too overwhelming to grasp, as Israel’s Government Press Office published that there are “100+ kidnapped, 2,000+ injured and 600+ murdered.”

In addition to the security situation surrounding Gaza, the IDF is keeping a close eye on the North, with fear of a possible Hezbollah-led development there.

Currently, government authorities have ordered schools across Israel shut for at least another two days. Two Darca schools in Ashkelon were damaged by rocket shrapnel, and Darca will see to it that repairs are made, as soon as the security situation allows.

Furthermore, there has been a very wide call-up to reserve duty, including HQ staff, school principals, and educators. Darca is addressing all the needs that arise from such situations.

With a broken heart and difficulty comprehending the extent of lives absolutely shattered, I would like to provide a status update on how this terrible tragedy is specifically affecting Darca’s communities — We are conducting a thorough mapping of the situation, but a full picture will only become clear in the next few days, as sadly not 100% of individuals have been reached yet, due to extensive power outages and movement in the region.

I am devastated to update that the three students from the Darca Shikma High School in Hof Ashkelon that were missing yesterday, are likely to have been murdered. For one, the parents have already identified the body, and for the other two, the parents have been asked to come identify the bodies. Two fathers of Darca students have been murdered, and relatives of Darca staff and teachers are still missing. We have also been informed that three Darca graduates, from the Darca Shitim HS, from the Darca Geon HaYarden HS and from Darca Ramon Gedera, have been murdered. Never could I have imagined I would have to write such an incomprehensible update.

I wish to thank all of you who have reached out to offer support, and I have also passed on your heartfelt messages to the Darca team.

We will, of course, continue to update regularly.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools

Dear Friends,

While the horrifying situation in Israel is still unfolding, I want to reach out and update you all that Darca Schools is working tirelessly to aid and assist our students, staff, and communities to the best of our ability. The next hours and days will call on nothing less than the full support from all of us, as needs are mounting and ever-changing.

Schools across Israel will remain closed as long as necessary to protect students and staff. In addition, Darca’s headquarters are closed and staff is working remotely around the clock. We are in constant contact with school leadership and teachers on the ground in all of our communities, in order to provide assistance for emotional, psychological, and welfare support.

Darca is prepared and ready to provide emotional therapy and psychological support to any student, teacher, or family in need during this incredibly difficult time. Unfortunately, many families that Darca serves have experienced severe loss, tragedy, trauma, and property damage, due to the extreme escalation of violence and terrorism.

We are heartbroken to report that we have lost two of our own Darca graduates, as well as received news of several more students injured, missing, and assumed to be kidnapped. In addition, two of our students’ parents were murdered. It is Darca’s policy to assist our communities with emergency welfare support, doing all that we can to ease financial hardship — though we know that we cannot eradicate their emotional and physical pain. Darca is also working with municipalities to coordinate aid efforts for families who have been devastated by this onslaught of violence.

These are trying times for all. We hope and pray for a safer, more peaceful Israel in the days ahead. We wish to thank all of you who have reached out to offer support.

We will continue to update.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO
Youth Renewal Fund & Darca Schools