“Happiness was at its height, but I had to meet new challenges: National Service was no longer responsible for my rent, and I had to work fewer hours in order to focus on my academic studies. I searched for solutions, until I heard about KKL-JNF and the
Mireille and Edi Saiovici Foundation. I am here to say thank you to you for giving us the economic support that gives us inner quiet and enables us to make progress with our studies. Thanks to you, I can continue on my way, be successful and excel in my study of medicine. Thank you for making our dreams come true in Israel”, she concluded. .
Twito was representing eighty new immigrant students from France who were awarded scholarships at the ceremony. The students study in universities and colleges all over Israel. Each one was awarded an annual scholarship of 8,500 ILS for a three-year period or until they complete their degrees. The scholarship money was being distributed this year for the first time, thanks to a donation of the Mireille and Edi Saiovici Foundation. The Saiovicis, of blessed memory, people of letters who sponsored a number of theaters in Paris, bequeathed funding in their will to KKL-JNF, for the purpose of creating a fund that would award scholarships to new immigrant students from France studying in Israel, students from peripheral regions, and students who served in the Israeli army as lone soldiers.
The scholarship awards ceremony took place in the presence of
KKL France representatives
Fino Edri and
Haim Cohen, Netanya Academic College President Prof.
Yaakov Hart, Eti Lankri of KKL-JNF’s French Desk, KKL-JNF Foundations and Scholarships Coordinator
Rivka Ray, Francophone Campus Coordinator
Nicolle Farhi (who supports new immigrant students from France at the college), and the Chairperson of the Francophone Campus Ms.
Claude Breitman. The ceremony was moderated by KKL-JNF Chief of Protocol
Andy Michelson, who himself immigrated to Israel many years ago from Australia. He related how the scholarship he had received had been a great help to him at the beginning of his new path.
Michal Dahari, who recently finished studying law at the Netanya Academic College, performed as part of the evening’s artistic interlude.
The ceremony began with greetings by Professor Yaakov Hart, President of the Netanya Academic College: “You came to Israel in order to be part of our country and to get a sense of what it means to live in Israel for yourselves. Some of you have left your families, friends and homes, coming to Israel on a spiritually enriching journey, which has benefitted you and also benefitted us. You learned Hebrew, improved your language skills, and invested in a study program that was especially suited to your needs, and we are certain that this spiritual treasure will stay with you all your lives. You are our strength and our support.
“A year ago, KKL France established a fund to award scholarships to immigrant students from France. This is a unique fund that transfers stipends directly to deserving students. This is a very significant and essential means of support for young immigrant students, who face large expenses. I would also like to mention the College’s Francophone Campus, which, in cooperation with foundations and private donors, awards significant annual tuition scholarships to eligible immigrant students. People from the Francophone Campus also provide the new immigrants with pedagogic and academic support and accompaniment.
“It is also my honor to note KKL-JNF’s main fields of activity:
forestry and caring for the
environment,
water and
river rehabilitation, supporting new
communities and road building,
education and youth,
tourism and recreation activities in
parks and forests, and
research and development. KKL-JNF contributes to the education of thousands of young people in Israel and abroad, and also helps strengthen their connection to our homeland.”
Haim Cohen, who represented KKL France, noted:
“I was asked to come here and represent KKL-JNF World Chairman
Daniel Atar, who was unable to attend. This evening I would also like to extend our condolences to the community of Pittsburg, where eleven people were murdered in cold blood last Saturday.
“KKL-JNF invests a great deal in the field of education, in many different projects such as
Schools for Excellence that are being built in a number of communities throughout Israel, with the goal of doubling the number of students who successfully complete their matriculation exams. In Upper Nazareth, for example, the number of students who completed their matriculation exams increased by 30%, and the KKL-JNF School for Excellence played an important part in that achievement. Supporting students is nothing unusual for KKL-JNF. We have been active in this field in Israel and throughout the world. The Saiovici Foundation was the first blossom, and at the present time we are working on establishing additional foundations that will focus on helping students who come from Israel’s social periphery.”
KKL France Representative Fino Edri added: “The fund for awarding scholarships to new French student olim was established with the goal of French students to choose to study in Israel. We are fully aware that you had the possibility of studying in leading universities such as the Sorbonne, Marseilles or Toulouse, without even having to pay tuition. Most of the immigrant students were educated in France at Jewish schools and youth movements, and I am happy to see that the Zionist message was successfully transmitted. I would like to express my appreciation to all the students for choosing to come and study in Israel. Please stay here, we will always be there for you.”
Ms. Claude Breitman, Chairperson of the Francophone Campus at the Netanya Academic College, also spoke at the ceremony. “The Francophone Center was built here fifteen years ago, and it serves as a home for the French immigrants. I would like to take advantage of this occasion to say thank you to all of you. Your contribution makes it possible for young people to realize their dreams.”
After the speeches and congratulations were concluded, the students were awarded the scholarships by Netanya Academic College President Professor Yaakov Hart and KKL France representatives Fino Edri and Haim Cohen.