For the first time since the Disengagement: A kindergarten reopens in Homesh
In Homesh, 20 years after the Disengagement, the Samaria Regional Council inaugurated a new kindergarten. In an emotional ceremony, council head Yossi Dagan unveiled the sign together with the kindergarten teachers and recited the Shehechiyanu blessing with the children.
Ayelet Levi, who was the last kindergarten teacher in Homesh before the evacuation, will now lead the new kindergarten. “I taught in Homesh for five years. I started with five children and finished with twenty-five. The expulsion was very difficult, but thank God we merited this moment. I never dreamed I would one day return to the kindergarten of Homesh,” she said.
Atara, another teacher joining her, recalled: “For years we came here with children in tents, on holidays and Shabbat. Now to open an official kindergarten of the Ministry of Education is a great privilege. The kindergarten will be the sweetest and most beautiful place in the world.”
Education Minister Yoav Kisch sent his congratulations: “Twenty years after the uprooting of Homesh, we are planting new roots of education and future. This is not just an educational act — it is a Zionist act of building and settlement. I salute the pioneering settlers who strengthen sovereignty on the ground.”
Cities and towns welcome pupils with celebrations and security
Across Israel’s major cities, festive ceremonies marked the first day of the Hebrew school year of תשפ”ו. In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, children arrived to decorated schools, with parents and mayors present to greet them.
In Kfar Saba, the municipality invested 55 million shekels over the summer in upgrading schools and kindergartens with new protected spaces.
Rishon Lezion deployed a reinforced security presence around its 50,000 pupils, with armed guards, police, and city inspectors stationed at schools and kindergartens.
Herzliya welcomed 20,888 pupils back, including more than 1,400 first graders.
On the northern border: Renewal in Moshav Zar’it
After 20 years without a kindergarten, and after difficult months of war and loss, Moshav Zar’it near the Lebanese border reopened its kindergarten this morning with 13 children. Residents described the reopening as a sign of resilience and determination to continue life along the border.
In Kibbutz Nitzanim, the first day was marked by releasing yellow balloons into the sky, symbolizing hope for a better year.
Children’s voices: Excitement, prayers, and courage
Across the country, children shared their feelings as they entered the new year.
Naama Edri, entering first grade in Haifa, said: “I’m very excited, waiting to meet all the nice friends. I hope the soldiers will win and that this will be a good and happy year.”
Ella, a fourth grader from Dolev, said: “It’s very hard and challenging. But everyone helps each other. I wish for victory in the war, success in studies, and good for all of Israel.”
Yuval, a sixth grader from Talmon, expressed his hopes in one word: “Courage. We went through very difficult things in the war, and we are trying to go back to normal with strength.”
Teenagers also looked forward to routine and friendships. Zohar Cohen, a 10th grader from Maale Adumim, said: “It’s exciting to return to school and meet friends. I hope the year will be relaxed and fun, and that we’ll reach our goals.”
From Samaria to the northern border, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the start of תשפ”ו reflected both resilience and optimism. Despite the challenges of recent months, Israel’s children returned to their schools today with hope, excitement, and faith in a better year ahead.
