Daniel Ben-Simon (Ha'avoda) Mr. Chairman, Members of Knesset, today we celebrate an exceptional occasion – the 150th anniversary of "Alliance". It is not a coincidence that Herzl was also born the same year – 1860. These two events changed the lives of the Jewish people forever – Herzl paved the way to Israel for the Jews and "Alliance" helped shape their characters, first in the Diaspora and then also in Israel. As a result of the emancipation, the European Jews were facing a dilemma: to adhere to their Jewish tradition or integrate it with universal values that were considered accessible. To paraphrase Rabbi Saadiya Gaon, who said that our Nation depends on the study of the Torah, "Alliance" changed it so it would be "Torah and TRANSLATE Malacha". This is how "Alliance" made it possible for the Jewish children not to stay confined to the study of the Torah, but study and get out to know the world and conquer it. In its various institutions, "Alliance" taught the students to keep their Jewish heritage and become doctors, engineers, politicians and academics. Who could have talked proudly about the number of Jewish Noble Prize winners without this revolution in Jewish life? This was a great moment in the life of the Jews, one that connected them to the rest of the world. Sitting with us today are representatives of "Alliance" from both Israel and abroad and they continue to educate children and youth according to universal values as well as Jewish ones. In Israel, we cultivated a dichotomy between being religious and secular. I hope that we will be able to learn from the actions of "Alliance" to do it differently, and I wish you many more years of success and may we meet again on your next birthday in another 150 years. Thank you very much. Ruhama Avraham-Balila (Kadima) Mr. Chairman, Members of Knesset – all Jews are responsible for one another. This is one of the pillars of the Israeli society. Dear friends from "Alliance -- Kol Israel Haverim", you symbolize this responsibility and you continue to show willingness to offer support and assistance to those in need. It is true that in our small country we take things for granted; however, in non-democratic states that did not provide the Jews with civil rights you supported them morally, culturally and religiously. Mainly, you protected Jews who were being prosecuted due to their faith. I would like to take this special moment and say to you – “Bienvenue à Jerusalem” and thank you for all that you are doing. Michael Ben-Ari (Ha-Ichud Haleumi) Mr. Chairman, Members of Knesset. Yesterday when Member of the Knesset Ben-Simon told me that he was going to greet the "Alliance" representatives, I had tears in my eyes. My mother passed away six years ago, may she rest in peace, and she always remembered fondly the time she spent at the "Alliance" school in Teheran. It was there that she received her education and how I received my love for knowledge. On behalf of my mother who took part in this great piece of history, I would like to say - Bienvenue à Jerusalem. Ronit Tirosh (Kadima) Mr. Chairman, Members of Knesset. We are honored that you "Alliance" Board Members are here with us today to celebrate the organization's 150th anniversary. As my friends before me, I would like to share with you a personal story. My father, may he rest in peace, went to an "Alliance" school in Iraq. His demeanor and cultural richness was due to that school. You provided him with an establishment that was a place to acquire an education as well as culture. I would also like to share from my own experience as the former Director of Education and Culture of Jaffa and General Director of the Ministry of Education. All of the "Alliance" schools are a model for an excellent education. 50 years ago, Israel started an educational reform aimed at integrating children from all social classes – but we didn't always succeed. However, over the years, "Alliance" proved to us that it can be done by bringing together inner city children with children from wealthy families, embracing them as part of the community and making them feel as if they were at home. In closing, I would like to congratulate you and wish you all the best with your new school at Mikve Israel – may it be a shining example for many schools around the world. Yaacov Katz (Ha-Ichud Haleumi) Mr. Chairman, Members of Knesset, I, too, would like to congratulate "Alliance – Kol Israel Haverim". Even though Member of the Knesset Ben-Simon and I have our political disagreements, we can all appreciate the fine job that you are doing. I believe that your educational work is an exemplary model for what we have been achieving here in Israel for generations. Thank you and may you continue being as successful as you are. Ze'ev Bilsky (Kadima) Mr. Chairman, honored guests, representatives of "Alliance". I congratulate you for being here today at the Israeli Knesset. You are doing a wonderful job. Thank you so much for all that you are doing. Nissim Ze'ev (Shas) I would like to congratulate the directors of "Alliance". Both of my parents went to your schools – in Baghdad and Jerusalem. You always knew how to combine Judaism and values. I would also like to thank Member of the Knesset Ben-Simon for initiating this important day. Orly Levy Abecasis (Israel Beitenu) I would like to congratulate the "Alliance" representatives. My parents, of course, went to "Alliance" schools in Morocco and I, too, grew up with nostalgic stories and experiences that ended up shaping not only them but me as well. Nachman Shai (Kadima) Mr. Chairman, Members of Knesset, I would like to join my friends in congratulating our honored guests and thank them for their important educational work. Thank you very much. Chairman of the Israeli Knesset – Reuven Rivlin Dear Knesset Members, today we celebrate the 150th anniversary of "Kol Israel Haverim" also known as "Alliance". The organization was founded in Paris in 1860- the same year Herzl was born. Over the years, the organization became a powerhouse in the educational field and it became active around the world including Morocco, Haifa, Tel Aviv and many more places. In an age defined by short-term actions, it's impressive to find an organization that continues to re-invent itself, that was smart enough to renew its course of action and that invests resources in cultivating a Jewish and Israeli culture while integrating them. “Alliance—KIAH” is not resting on the laurels of past achievements but continues to cultivate the present generation for the future. That is why the organization is still relevant and important in this day and age. Today more than ever it is clear that the State of Israel needs to thoroughly examine the content of the Jewish culture it is based upon. In the Israeli society today you cannot ignore the growing divide between the secular and religious sectors. And it is sad that some Jewish cultural assets have become the exclusive property of several small groups. "Alliance – KIAH" is one of the main figures today working to overcome such divides. The organization cultivates Jewish values that emphasize the importance of a community and social activism. "Alliance--KIAH" is working on a Jewish renewal that is relevant to all of the Jewish people and to constructing a new Jewish identity here in Israel through a teacher training institute Batei Midrash, and a school network., Personally, I would like to share with you that my late father, Prof. Yosef Yoel Rivlin, once served in the Turkish army, but when he got sick they discarded him when they were at the outskirts of a Jewish neighborhood in Damascus. The local community took him in and cared for him. Once he was healthy again he stayed the next two years and volunteered to help spread the Hebrew language at an "Alliance" school. As a result of the Arabic that he learned while staying there, he went on to become a Professor of the Arabic language and translated into Hebrew the Koran and the stories of "Arabian Nights". I wish the organization and its students many more years of productivity and prosperity. Now you can't applaud us, but all of us can applaud you. (Applause throughout the hall) Ze'ev Boim (Kadima) Mr. Chairman, Knesset members, Mr. Prime Minister. I would like to say a few words to our guests. Ben Gurion writes in one of his books that in his opinion there are two pivotal events that symbolize the beginning of Zionism and the future State of Israel. One of them was the establishment of "Mikve Israel" in 1870 by “Alliance—KIAH”. It was discussed before how important this organization is and I would just like to join and congratulate our guests for this special day.
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