Italians Get Israeli Diploma

By COLlive reporter

The Joe Nahmad High School in Milan, a branch of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch – Chabad of Italy, held its first graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 26, with the assistance of Israel’s government.

Graduating students received a Te’udat Bagrut, Israel’s matriculation certificate that will allow them to pursue higher education in Israel, in an event that was attended by representatives of the Italian Jewish community and local authorities.

It follows an agreement between the Israeli Ministry of Education and Merkos to formally recognize the Bagrut project in Italy, finalized in an April meeting of Minister Rabbi Shai Piron and Shliach Rabbi Avraham Hazan.

At the event, Renzo Gattegna, President of the Italian Union of the Jewish Communities (UCEI), expressed his encouragement to the girls for their future and to the whole project.

Moshe de Calo, director of the examination department of the Israeli Ministry of Education, underlined his appreciation for Merkos’ courage in undertaking this important project which will enable students in diaspora to obtain for the first time ever the bagrut diploma outside of Israel.

The 4-year bagruiot curricula stands out for its feasibility yet excellence of the studies which can be tailored by students according on their own needs and interests.

School principal Rivka Hazan said the program gives special emphasis to math and English, for which Israeli Schools are known to excel in and that are pertinent to the academic future success.

As per tradition, the smiling girls celebrated this important moment tossing their mortar boards in the air. Congrats!

Enrollment for the academic year 2014-2015 are now open. For any information please contact highschool@merkos.it