Mr. Yossi Krothammer, the village director, Jewish Agency officials, teachers, guests and students,

My son Nathanel studied at the village from 8th grade. When he arrived at the village, to begin with my husband and I were concerned because we were not familiar with the place. However, as the months passed we saw our son was progressing in all areas.

When Nathanel started 9th grade my husband and I deliberated about to which high school we should send him. It was at this point that Mr. Krothammer suggested that he stay on at the village while attending the TOM (Torah and Profession) School at Herev Le'et, and studying in the electronics stream.

After much hesitation we decided to accept Mr. Krothammer's proposal and today we know, and are delighted, that we made the right decision for our son Nathanel. He has progressed and is doing very well in his studies.

After high school Nathanel continued his studies at the college at Hispin in the Golan Heights, once again in the electronics department, and was very successful there too.

Today our son Nathanel is in the army, in the air force, and is doing an electronics course and will subsequently work in the field in the army. It is because of this that, unfortunately, Nathanel was unable to be present at this very important event.

I would like to point out that Ben Yakir is not just a boarding school, and not just a school, it is also a home and a family for the children.

It is important for me to say that, today, after Nathanel completed high school and college, and is already a soldier, that my son still feels that he belongs here, and that this is a second home for him. Even after the students grow up the Ben Yakir youth village does not forget its students, as they travel along their road through life, and the village deserves great praise for that.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Jewish Agency for its generous help, for caring for all the students' needs here at the village, the educational staff and the management, and particularly Mr. Yossi Krothammer who has also cared for the students and has spared no effort in seeing to their every need.

I know that Nathanel's success is your success, and thanks to you.

May you continue with your welcome work. Thank you.

And a Happy New Year to you and to all Jews.