“Israel is my country, and the land that God gave His people,” Matalon said. “This is my people, and I am proud to have been given the privilege to be involved in what’s happening here.”
The KKL-JNF House is part of a
planned network of educational centers where youth from Israel’s disadvantaged peripheral regions can access tutorials and enrichment activities, with the goal of developing excellence and young leadership. At the KKL-JNF House in Upper Nazareth, the recently dedicated auditorium will house a number of activities such as lectures, workshops and movies. The auditorium is capable of sitting up to 120 people, and the local residents report that many of the events that took place there already were packed to full capacity.
The KKL-JNF House includes classrooms, a computer laboratory, the auditorium and an open space for social activities. The building was designed with a young and innovative spirit, and the multipurpose auditorium is fully integrated into this atmosphere, with colorful walls and an advanced multimedia system.
“In fact, we have actually created a university for youth with the goal of bringing excellence to Israel’s peripheral regions,” said
Shimon Abuchasira, the director of the center. “Our activities uncover the hidden talents in everyone and enable them to realize their potential.”
Since the KKL-JNF House was established, hundreds of youth from the city and the surrounding area have come to study, excel and
get exposure to a number of technological fields. The establishment of the houses and their daily maintenance are possible thanks to the support of friends of KKL-JNF throughout the world, including from
France and
Italy.
“This is a unique place, unlike anything else in Israel, and maybe even in the entire world,” said KKL-JNF Houses for Excellence Director
Avi Moussan. “Our goal is to help the young people to be achievers and to realize their potential. We speak the language of the twenty-first century and aspire to make it possible for everyone to realize their dreams.”
Matalon, who is 92 years old, established the KKL-JNF office in Milan in 1947. From then until now, for more than 70 years, she has been active on behalf of the state of Israel. The multipurpose auditorium was dedicated to the memory of her parents – Alberto Matalon and Rachel Modai, and her brother, Beniamino Matalon.
“We have a
longtime connection with Giuditta, and whenever she is called, she reports for duty,” said KKL-JNF French, Italian and Belgium Desk Director
Etty Lankry. “She is involved in all KKL-JNF’s fields of activities. She can be found wherever Israel is in need of her assistance.”
Nave Arieli, KKL-JNF Emissary to Italy, accompanied Matalon during her visit.
“Our connection with Giuditta makes it possible for us to advance various programs for the future of the state of Israel, to promote education and to invest in the younger generation,” Arieli said. “By means of these activities, we are also strengthening the bond between the Italian Jewish community and Israel.”
As someone who is very interested in subjects related to education, Matalon was happy to meet some of the young people who came to study at the KKL-JNF House.
Hodaya, a tenth-grader from Upper Nazareth, said that she had come in order to improve her skills in mathematics and English. “KKL-JNF House helps me and enables me to make progress,” she said.
“I am very happy to see the young people learning and succeeding, and it’s important for me to help as much as I can,” Matalon said, her eyes shining with excitement.
The Upper Nazareth House is the first of ten similar houses that KKL-JNF is planning to build in Israel’s southern and northern peripheral regions. The goal is to narrow the social and educational gaps between these regions and central Israel, and encourage excellence specifically in those places where young people usually have fewer opportunities. The second house has already begun to be
built in Kiryat Malachi in the south.
At the conclusion of the visit, Matalon planted a tree in the
yard of the KKL-JNF House. Coming generations will enjoy its fruit, just as they will benefit from the fruits of the important educational work taking place within the structure.