A Rotary Visit

The School for Peace and Primary School were honored to receive a visit today by members of local Rotary Clubs, including the clubs in Modiin-Macabiim-Reut and Ramle, together with Rotary Governor for Israel, Moshe Yonai.

The visit followed a generous donation from Rotary District 2120 in Italy, which teamed with the Rotary club in the nearby city of Modiin, to deliver new equipment, furniture and books to the Primary School and the School for Peace. The Italian club’s donation was matched by Rotary International in Evanston Illinois, and the Modiin club worked with our educational institutions to ensure the maximum benefit from the donation.

The morning’s activities began with a meeting at the School for Peace. Primary School vice-principal Hezzie Schuster chaired the proceedings. Principal Anwar Dawood explained the work of the Primary School. School for Peace Director Nava Sonnenschein spoke about her institution’s work. Members of Rotary, including Gov. Yonai and Rochelle Fisher, President of the Modiin-Macabiim-Reut club, explained the mission of Rotary International and the intention behind their support for Wahat al-Salam - Neve Shalom. Both Nava Sonnenschein and Rotary members mentioned the long connection between WAS-NS and Rotary, beginning with Wellesley Aron. Aron, one of the earliest members of the community, was a prominent Rotary man.

After refreshments, the Rotary group visited the Primary School. There, on the steps at the school entrance, all the pupils gathered for a special ceremony in honor of the visitors. The pupils sang and played recorder music, and then were presented with a final gift from Rotary; a radio-disk for every classroom. The school reciprocated with small gifts for the Rotary representatives.

Members of the Italian Club intended to attend today’s ceremony too, but will delay their visit to Spring 2013.

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