As the ORT family joins global Jewry in marking the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks, we are inviting our students, teachers, and all across our schools network to join us in a special ORT project.
In June we shared our collective grief following the death of Eyal Shynes, son of Mirav Shynes, manager of World ORT Kadima Mada’s YOUniversity program in northern Israel.
Eyal z”l was killed in Gaza while serving as a sergeant in the IDF’s 931st Battalion of the Nahal Brigade. He was just 19 years old.
Eyal z”l and his mother, Mirav
In his memory we are launching a campaign encouraging the ORT family worldwide to come together as one community to support an initiative at Eyal’s former school.
A distinguished and popular Jewish Philosophy student, Eyal left a deep impression on his friends and teachers at the Beit Yerach school on the banks of the Kinneret, Sea of Galilee, in the Golan.
To create a lasting link between Eyal, the ORT network and the school he loved so dearly, we are supporting Beit Yerach in a memorial project which will:
- Establish a memorial to Eyal, telling his story and inspiring future generations
- Renovate Eyal’s former classroom, turning it into a modern and inspiring learning place
- Support the Jewish Philosophy department with new technology, furniture, and modern learning tools
Together, as an international educational community, the ORT Family can demonstrate our unity and commitment to the values that were so important to Eyal. We extend our thoughts and condolences to his parents, Mirav and Itay, brother Noam and the Shynes family.
Mirav said: “Eyal was a man of values, moral, he had a strong sense of justice, he was a charmer. Eyal respected everyone and every opinion. He was very smart and loved sports, especially soccer, and spending time with his friends. He was a good son.
“To fight for his country, his family, it was his calling. I am sure he didn’t think he would lose his life. We are taking it one day at a time, but it is hard. I cannot bring him back.”
How can you help?
We are asking everyone across the ORT schools network to make a small contribution towards the costs of the memorial project. Students and teachers can donate within their schools. ORT supporters can also contact their local ORT organization to make a donation.
