The institution was quickly established by the head of the studio, Hani Goldman, for the children of Sderot and the surrounding area who were staying in a hotel in Tel Aviv following the war. Despite the difficult circumstances, the studio staff and the students managed to create a bit of a routine for the displaced students. All the equipment, from pencils to textbooks, came from donations, and the educational staff taught voluntarily.
On the opening day, about 100 male and female students arrived, and their number increased later. The official launch ceremony was attended by the mayor of Sderot, Alon Davidi, the mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, the CEO of the chain Elhanan Galt, and of course the students and their parents. The atmosphere was mixed – excitement alongside complex emotions in view of the situation. The school staff offered a prayer for the new students to feel at home.
For the studio staff and students, this initiative was a practical lesson in the values of loving Israel. The ‘Spirit Responder’ school illustrates the ability of a network and community to mobilize quickly and efficiently during a crisis, while creating creative solutions to complex challenges. It reflected the spirit of volunteering and mutual guarantee that characterizes Israeli society in general, and the Bnei Akiva network in particular.”
