Back to school
Former Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett has visited Jewish day schools in Sydney and Melbourne meeting students and staff.
Sydney’s Masada welcomed Naftali Bennett to the college. Kindergarten to Year 2 students greeted the 13th Prime Minister with a guard of honour followed by a whole school assembly. Proceedings included an address from Mr Naftali Bennett and Mrs Mira Hasofer (College Principal) as well as performances from the IDF Ensemble and talented Masada College students.
Masada College Junior School students greet Mr Naftali Bennett. Left to right: Mr Naftali Bennett, Rebecca Jaches and Ross Greenberg
Mrs Hasofer urged students to relish in the unique nature of the assembly and spoke of Mr Bennett’s innovative vision for education in Israel. “Education has always been close to Mr Bennett’s heart. His focus on placing greater attention on each individual student was so vitally important and something that we subscribe to at Masada College,” said Mrs Hasofer.
Mr Bennett’s inspiring insights on Jewish identity deeply resonated with students and staff. “Our purpose as the Jewish people is to shine light, is to do good. Whenever we see something broken, we fix it. That’s what we are about. That’s what the Jewish state is about,” Mr Bennett told students. He encouraged students to lead a meaningful life. “It means you are never silent if someone is being bullied. Never. You always stand up, even if it is not the popular thing to do,” said Mr Bennett. He reminded students to never apologise for being Jewish and that they always have a second home. “The State of Israel is always waiting for everyone of our brothers and sisters because we love you,” he said.
Masada College Senior School Captains grab a selfie with Naftali Bennett. Left to right: Hannah Toynton, Naftali Bennett and Leah Reinhardt
Mr Bennett’s spontaneity throughout the visit captivated students and ultimately led to him dancing with students and the IDF Ensemble to “Mishemamin”, a song about faith and belief.
The visit left the College buzzing with positivity. Mrs Hasofer said she hoped her students would be inspired to pursue their own dreams and to work towards a brighter and more just future for all. She was incredibly thankful to Mr Bennett for taking the time to address the College. “Mr Bennett, we are truly grateful, humbled and honoured,” she said.
He also visited Sydney’s Moriah College, which had invited contingents from the Emanuel School and Kesser Torah College. Joining Naftali Bennett was Israeli signing sensation Ishay Ribo
Moriah President Stephen Jankelowitz, Yr 12 Captains Daniel Fihrer and Ariella Cappe.Naftali Bennett, Rose Filler, Naftali Joshua and principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler Photo: Nadine Saacks
Adina Roth, Head of Jewish Life at Emanuel School, said: “It was so special for students from Emanuel, Kesser Torah, Masada and Moriah to gather together to listen to a strong political leader. Bennett emphasised that Israel belongs to all the Jewish people and iterated that it is a home for all Jewish people. The crowd was also treated to a surprise performance by Israeli music sensation Yishai Ribo. It was heart-warming to see the Emanuel students dancing by the stage and enjoying the festivities of the day”.
In Melbourne, students from King David, Yavne and Bialik joined students and staff at Mount Scopus to greet the former prime minister.
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett was the keynote speaker at UIA’s major appeal functions in its 2023 campaign.
