Q: What is the most dangerous external threat facing Israel today?A: The most grave and real threat to Israel is Iran and the Shi’ite Axis. Leaders of this axis repeatedly declare their wish to destroy Israel. They build up their military forces accordingly.

Q: What is the most dangerous internal threat facing Israel?A: I regard tensions within Israeli society, mainly center-periphery tensions and religious-secular tensions, as very dangerous to the unity of the State of Israel.

Q: What was your first experience with the Atidim program?A: When the program was founded, I was a Lieutenant Colonel in the IDI (Israeli Defense Intelligence). The program didn’t affect me directly, but the connection between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and strengthening Israeli society spoke to me greatly. As the years went by, and I served in more senior posts in the IDI, including my current post as Chief of the IDI, I am

astonished by graduates of the Atidim program and their achievements.

Q: What is the importance of the Atidim program?A: The importance of the program lies in helping Israeli society to be more robust in two main aspects: allowing better and wider opportunities for citizens of the periphery, and creating technological excellence in Israel. This excellence plays a decisive role in keeping us one step ahead of our rivals in the Middle East, Iran first and foremost.

Q: What impact are Atidim graduates having on Israeli society?A: Atidim graduates play major roles in highly sensitive posts in the IDI. By doing so, they help the IDI become a much more excellent organization. Graduates of the program serve as an example and are involved in influencing newcomers to the program, thus allowing us to continue and enjoy the future harvest of Atidim, an exemplary program in Israel.

Israeli Defense Intelligence ChiefMajor General Herzl Halevy Speaks Out About Atidim

AtidimEducation. Excellence. Enrichment. Equal Opportunity.

Spring 2017 / Vol 45

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Tova Tatiyana Hanimov, 23, is a brilliant young woman. Yet without the financial resources to go to college this rising star on Israel’s booming high-tech scene could easily have been working in a low-tech job.

Tova was born in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Her father, an accomplished musician, was a music professor and her

During her two years of national service Tova returned to her high school to tutor new immigrant and low-income students in math, science and English. “I received so much support, I wanted to give back,” says Tova. “And I knew how these kids felt. I had been there.”

Tova Hanimov receives Intel’s Prize for Women in Science.

A Rising Star - Tova Tatiyana Hanimov

“We were a religious Jewish family living in a Muslim country,” says Tova. “My parents decided to make aliyah in 1999, when I was six, to give my brother and me a better future.”

The family settled in a very difficult neighborhood in Netanya. Tova’s parents, unfamiliar with the language, the culture and the norms of Israel, had a very difficult time adjusting. Unknowingly, they sent Tova to an ultra-Orthodox elementary school.

In middle school Tova transferred to a different school, and it is here that her brilliance in physics was noticed. By the time she was in tenth grade, Tova had completed her matriculation in physics. In eleventh grade she started a university research project, and took first place in a number of national science and physics competitions.

This led to Tova representing Israel, and placing first, in the global “First Step Nobel Prize in Physics” Competition. “This was a great honor for me,” says Tova.

mother was a midwife. Tova grew up in a warm Jewish home, but anti-Semitism was on the rise following Uzbekistan’s independence from the former Soviet Union.

Now in her fourth year of an electrical engineering and electronics major at Tel Aviv University, Tova credits much of her current success to Atidim.

“I knew that I needed a scholarship to go to college,” says Tova. “But what I received from Atidim was so much more. The people there believed in me. They gave me that first push forward when I didn’t have any support. I always had someone to speak with, to ask questions of and to turn to. I was never alone.”

Tova benefitted greatly from Atidim’s focus on giving students work opportunities at major companies while still in college. This experience recently landed Tova a managerial position as Product Manager of Razor Technologies. “I could never have received such a great offer, at such a young age, without Atidim,” says Tova.

Since receiving the First Noble Prize, Tova has gone on to win many others. This year, she was awarded Intel’s Prize for Women in Science.

“People with potential can get lost because they don’t have the money to go to college and get out of the cycle of poverty,” says Tova. “I hope that one day I will have the ability to support young people just as Atidim’s donors did for me.”

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“I would be so far from where I am today if it wasn’t for Atidim and the people who support this program.”

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“I thank Atidim and all the people who support this program. You make the impossible possible.”

Technology’s (HIT) engineering faculty, Israel knew that he had to give his all to his studies. He turned to Atidim in Industry and was accepted to the program. “Atidim was a lifesaver for me,” says Israel. “They gave me so much support, including tuition assistance, a monthly living stipend, tutoring when I needed it and an academic counselor who was always there for me.” Israel, who is 30-years-old, and now in his senior year at HIT, is majoring in electrical engineering. Through Atidim, he is working in production management at Dalia Energy, Israel’s largest private power station.

“I recently got married, and I am excited about my future and starting a family,” says Israel. “I hope to continue to work at Dalia Energy and to contribute to this great country.”

In 1984 Israel’s parents and nine brothers and sisters undertook a treacherous journey from Ethiopia to Israel. They walked through the desert to Sudan, where they lived in a refugee camp before being airlifted to Israel during Operation Moses.

For Israel’s parents, coming home to Israel was the culmination of a lifelong dream. When he was born two years after their aliyah, they named him Israel. “I am their only sabra (Israeli-born) child, and my parents are so thankful for that,” says Israel.

Growing up in Petach Tikvah, Israel was an outstanding soccer player. In high school he played for the Maccabi Petach Tikvah team, while also helping his mother to clean houses. When he graduated high school Israel needed to choose between continuing his soccer career and serving his country.

“When I got my army papers in high school I had a real dilemma. But I decided to join the army and to go to a combat unit,” says Israel. “This was not an easy choice, but it was the right one.”

As a ground forces soldier, Israel served in the Lebanon War and carried out operations in Hebron and Gaza. He continues to do reserve duty and is proud to serve his country.

Israel worked in security to save money for college. When he was accepted to the Holon Institute of

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UJA-Federation of New York’s Wall Street Mission Meets with Atidim

Israel and his Atidim supporter.

Israel Fantasible possible ”

After three years of intensive and challenging university studies, 24 outstanding Kimel Cadets for Municipal Service will be graduating in June. These students, who are majoring in different fields at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, have immersed themselves in Atidim’s unique academic course on public policy and local government.

They have led social activism projects, interned at local municipalities, engaged in empowerment training workshops and explored the critical issues facing local government in outlying areas.

Upon graduating, these students will take their place in upwardly mobile management positions in peripheral municipalities. Inspired, committed and prepared, they are the future of more professional and effective municipal leadership. They are ready and energized to address local challenges and begin the process to innovate new and different solutions.

The fourth cohort of the Cadets program thanks Warren and Debbie Kimel for their generous support.

Kimel Cadets Approach the Finish Line

Digital Starter

will take theirent positions insitio

Atidim Founder and former Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, (second from left), Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (back row second from right) and Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel (first row, second from right) attend the launch of “Digital Starter”.

tech only,” Google Israel CEO Meir Brand said at the program’s launch at Google’s Tel Aviv Campus.

In the first phase of the project, 250 volunteers from Atidim will work with small businesses in 44 towns, from Kiryat Shmona in the north to Eilat in the south. The Atidim volunteers, both undergraduates and graduates, are all majoring in science and engineering and received specialized training from Google and Wix.

Atidim Founder and former Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel attended the launch and expressed their appreciation for this program.

Atidim is partnering with Google and Wix to provide 75,000 hours of volunteer work for the new “Digital Starter” project.

Digital Starter is a national program that aims to bridge economic gaps between Israel’s periphery and the center by offering digital services and support for small businesses.

Wix is providing 10,000 premium subscriptions to its website services and Google is investing millions of shekels in the project. Some 600 Atidim students and graduates will train thousands of businesses as they learn to integrate digital tools into their companies.

Atidim students will work with small businesses to build their websites, train them on maintaining these sites, develop social media presence and increase online visibility. The businesses will receive both professional training and long-term support.

“We all know that Israel is a world leader when it comes to technological entrepreneurship, but the use of digital tools should not be the legacy of high

Atidim Australian Friends are hosted by Brigadier General Leehu Hacohen, former Head of one of Israel’s largest and most strategic Air Force bases.

A Visit from Melbourne Partners

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Atidim is a non-profit organization supported by donations in Israel and around the world.

Friends of Atidim

Tel: +972 9 950 5027

danaf@atidim.org.il www.atidim.organd othersd h

With the support of:

A Happy and Healthy Passoverto our Friends Around the Worlde ds ou d t e

חג פסח כשר ושמח!

“I know that my investment in this program pays off,not just for one year, but for generations.”

Ben Kirshner, Mission participant

Men’s Mission in Memory ofIra Saligman Embraces Atidim

“My favorite causes are those that give people the tools for independence for the long run - the fishing pole rather than the fish,” says Kirshner. “And this is exactly what Atidim does. It helps really smart young people who don’t have opportunity, to walk away with invaluable skills and enter competitive job markets that pay very well.”

“Tzedekah is very personal. It touches you down to your soul,” continues Kirshner. “When I see Atidim training engineers in an economy that is starving for engineers, I see economic impact on the national and family levels. I see the graduates leading meaningful lives. And I know that my investment in this program pays off, not just for one year, but for generations.”

This year’s Men’s Mission from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia was in memory of Ira Saligman, a committed friend of Atidim. Sponsored by Mark Fishman, a prominent leader in the Jewish community, the participants embraced Atidim students, including a special event with San Disk for over 100 Takeoff students with featured speaker Dov Moran, inventor of the Disk-on-Key.

Ben Kirshner, who was inspired by Fishman to join the mission last year, returned this year as mission chair. He sees Atidim as one of the most “amazing, professional and impactful” programs he has come across.