Gil Pereg

CEO of Darca Schools

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

Dear friends, 

Five days into this nightmare, the shock persists, but on some levels, there’s the sense that Israel is starting to just barely breathe, look forward, and plan how to restore even a small semblance of normality for the weeks ahead.

Darca’s leadership is participating in crisis forums led by the MoE’s senior-most executives, and the status right now is that schools will be closed for the remainder of this week, and that in contrast to the original plan, students will return to distance learning only as of Sunday. At Darca, our teams are in close contact with school principals, or substitute principals, brushing them back up on remote learning, and guiding them through the unique challenges each is encountering. More than a handful of school principals and dozens of school educators have been called-up to reserve duty, and many are consumed by stress or deep grief over close relatives either injured or even killed. Balancing all these can be tremendously difficult, and Darca is serving as their anchor through this devastating period.   

Darca is committed that each of its school communities serve as a critical source of support to its students, teachers and all their families. The Emergency Fund we have established is already in action, meeting emotional needs and welfare needs with immediacy and strength. Good education relies on holistic well-being, and the Emergency Fund is ensuring our communities stay resilient. 

On a national level, the full picture continues to unfold, and the facts are unbearable. The count of Israelis killed is up to more than 1300, simply impossible to grasp. And estimates are that 130 Israelis are being held captive – we pray they will be returned to their families in full health. Israel’s central cities continue to be interrupted and threatened by Hammas rocket fire, while tensions in the North are escalating at a rapid pace, with rocket fire disturbing the North as well.

***

I ask that we take a moment and commemorate a brave Darca graduate, Guy Simchi z”l, killed by Hammas terrorists while saving fourteen of his childhood friends. Guy served in the elite paratroopers unit, and when Hammas terrorists closed in on the apartment he was staying in with his friends in Kibbutz Re’im, he chose to stay outside the safe room with another friend, and with one firearm between the two of them, to protect their other fourteen friends. In the seconds before Guy and his friend managed to put down the terrorists, grenades had already been thrown into the apartment and Guy was killed. His bravery will be forever remembered, as one of his friends he saved posted afterwards, “Brother, you are my best friend. I will forever remember you. Thank you for saving mine and all our friends’ lives.” Guy was a graduate of Darca’s Ramon high school in Gedera. To take a moment and commemorate, please click on this link for a photo of Guy. May Guy’s memory be a blessing.  

***

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your words of encouragement and most generous support, giving us the strength and ability to navigate these very challenging times. 

Let us pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel, and we will of course continue updating you going forward.

Gil

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

Look at our people. Lining up to give blood.

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

Dear friends, 

Almost three full days into this brutal nightmare, we remain speechless, and consumed with grief. The “defensive” stage persists, with fear of terrorists still on Israeli soil, limiting many of Darca’s communities near the Gaza border, to their homes. My heart aches to update that the count of Israelis killed stands right now at 900+.  

In parallel, Israel’s Defense Forces launched a massive offensive operation in response, with targeted attacks from the air, and the largest call-up to reserve duty in our history, equaling 300K reserves. Every single Israeli has a relative, a friend, and more often multiple relatives and friends, who have been called-up. This includes Darca school principals, teachers, staff, and their relatives.   

While Israel is nothing short of shell-shocked, it has found resolve the likes that have not been seen in a long time. We are as united as ever, and the enthusiasm to volunteer and help however possible is palpable. We are continuously witness to stories of such unimagined bravery, both on behalf of soldiers and citizens, whose heroic acts to save lives will be recounted for many years to come. Alongside deep grief, therefore, there is optimism and belief.

And yet, we nervously monitor Israel’s Northern border, which in recent hours is showing signs that offer reason to worry, and which could likely affect Darca’s schools up North very soon.

As we zoom in to the Darca community, I’m beyond devastated to update that the list of dear students and graduates killed keeps mounting. As of this writing, it stands at 14. From the cities of Dimona, Hof Asheklon, Netivot, the Valley of Springs, Shitim, Gedera and Yad Mordechai. There is no solace to be found, so we recall the phrase from Job 1:16 – “While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said ‘The fire of God hath fallen from the sky’…”.
And please join me in prayer for the 12 additional students and graduates still unaccounted for. From the cities mentioned above, as well as from Lod, Miqve, and Ramat HaGolan. 

As we work to steady the ship, today we conducted a remote meeting with all of Darca’s school principals, HQ management and school supervisors, offering words of guidance and comfort during these challenging times. I announced to our principals Darca has opened a special urgent fund to serve Darca’s students, teachers and principals in the fields of welfare support, emotional and psychological counseling, and technological infrastructure for remote learning for families in need. I invited each and every principal to centralize and prioritize requests, and assured assistance will be provided swiftly and with no bureaucratic hassle. I expressed that our friends and supporters from Jewish communities across the world share in Israel’s sorrow, and that our dear, generous partners are making this special fund possible for them. 

The principals were moved, and expressed heartfelt gratitude for this very strong show of solidarity.

We will of course continue updating you going forward, as we pray for peace and quieter days ahead in Israel.

Gil

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

Four Key Strategies That Have Helped Principals Transform Their Schools. | Teaching Times https://t.co/upoWKQTGq2

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

"לא רואה את עצמי מוגבלת": המורה העיוורת שחולמת להיכנס לפלייליסט שלכם https://t.co/B4Wys8JK5b via @YouTube

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

עושים בית ספר - ידיעות אחרונות https://t.co/uNpCqxTpAF

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

בפעם הרביעית ברציפות: התיכון הדרוזי בירכא הוא המצטיין בישראל
https://t.co/OstJS3uQCn

[דרכא @darcaschools]

Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh, the American Jewish community and the United States of America.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you

[דרכא @darcaschools]

שמחים לשתף את הרצאתה של גב׳ דנה עזריאלי, יו״ר קבוצת עזריאלי וחברת
הוועד המנהל של רשת דרכא בכנס GA שהתקיים השבוע בתל אביב
https://t.co/XAASs8g2JW

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

Darca’s innovation : Soccer and coding:
https://t.co/12OquBKW22 via @YouTube

[Youth Renewal Fund @YRFDarca]

The Darca Fellows Program was launched as an esteemed leadership program for the most promising young talents in Darca’s schools. To learn more about this opportunity and how it's fostering leadership and global skills, check out our latest blog post here! https://t.co/Gzxc3vQOh4

[Youth Renewal Fund @YRFDarca]

Monday night's gala raised over $1.5M for @darcaschools . Thank you to everyone who joined in honoring board member, Harlan Cherniak and to everyone who was a part of contributing to the incredible success of the evening! Change isn't possible without you!

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

https://t.co/x1jNJSBUOy

[Youth Renewal Fund @YRFDarca]

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT! Today is #GivingTuesday and our Board of Directors is matching dollar for dollar. Head to our donation page to double your impact for @darcaschools
https://t.co/qGIkNKHsjK

[Gil Pereg @PeregGil]

"לא בית ספר לעשירים": הסוד של התיכון הטוב בישראל
https://t.co/U59xVQmmHR

[Youth Renewal Fund @YRFDarca]

12 @darcaschools are among the Ministry of Education's Top High School List. Learn more on our latest blog post! https://t.co/f142vm4zLm

[דרכא @darcaschools]

הבוקר התקבצו 80 תלמידים ותלמידות מרשת דרכא בבית דני בתל אביב
בתחרות ברידג' ארצית בהשתתפות מאות תלמידים מבתי ספר... https://t.co/TVy9Le92fL

[Youth Renewal Fund @YRFDarca]

Innovation comes in so many forms @darcaschools. Most recently, it's teaching students the language of the future, code. Check it out!

[Youth Renewal Fund @YRFDarca]

An incredible increase in the number of students taking accelerated math & science classes in Netivot. Amazing work @darcaschools teachers! https://t.co/RT53Lwm15T