Ochs Foundation Scholarship for Outstanding Students

By Rabbi Dr. Yohanan Kapah,
Dean of Students, Rechovot Campus

On Monday,March 6, 26 Adar I, two students from the College were awarded prestigious scholarships from the Ochs Foundation, at a ceremony for the conferring of degrees for outstanding students in the field of education. The Ochs Foundation, which was established in memory of Rabbi Dr. and Mrs. David Ochs, annually awards scholarships to education students. This year, the foundation’s administration decided to award a number of scholarships to outstanding students, and these were ultimately awarded to two students from Orot Israel College, as well as one more student from another college.

The two students chosen from Orot Israel College were Idan Caravani, from the Rechovot Campus, and Avital (Hertz) Weinstock, from the Elkana Campus. The scholarship was awarded on the basis of academic diligence and achievement, demonstrated pedagogic skill, conducting an educational project, and leadership abilities.

The ceremony was held before an impressive audience at Bet Shalom in Tel Aviv, in the presence of the foundation’s officers; the Ochs family; Rabbi David Boskila, the representative of the Ministry of Education; the winners of the scholarships and their families. The speakers at the event spoke in praise of Rabbi Dr. Ochs and his wife, emphasizing the importance of education, which they held so dear. Rabbi Ochs dedicated his life to education and the dissemination of Torah in his community, such that his family considered it naturally fitting to establish a memorial fund to assist exceptional students in their development as educators. The event also featured a fascinating lecture by Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom, on the topic of “Identification and Identity.”