It was an honor and a pleasure to welcome Member of Knesset Tzipi Hotovely to the Joel Braverman High School last week. A member of the Likud party and the youngest member of the Knesset (now 33 years old), she took time from a busy schedule to meet and speak with about 60 of our students from the Israel Awareness Commission, members of the administration and some faculty. She discussed what makes a good leader, seeking answers through Biblical models as well as modern day examples. She also discussed that for Israel to succeed, it needs to follow its vision, not bow to the will of the world. She stressed her view that all Jews, particularly Jewish youth, should be making aliyah now.
A doctoral candidate in Law, an orthodox woman serving as the Chairperson of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women, she proudly represents a fervent and unapologetic Zionist platform, firmly based on Jewish principles and values. MK Hotovely engaged the students and faculty in open and lively conversation, and was truly interested in what they had to say. In turn, for our students and faculty, it was an opportunity to meet a unique woman on the path of playing a significant role in Israel's future.
MK Hotovely was in the United States as a guest of the Israel Independence Fund, and was accompanied on her NY visit by its Executive Director Aharon Pulver. Her visit to the High School was coordinated through Rabbi Nissim Elnacave, Jack Mann, Morris Benun, Abe Beyda and Solomon Bendayan. She also spoke over Shabbat at three community synagogues: Beth Torah, Sephardic Synagogue and Mikdash Eliyahu.
YOF Vice President Jack Mann, at whose home MK Hotovely had Shabbat dinner, commented, "She is fearless, honest and straightforward. Driven only by principle, she is not afraid to stand alone for what is right."
