Hila Levy
What causes a young man to board an airplane and volunteer in France only one day after completing his term of service in the IDF, during a wave of anti-Semitism, no less? This is exactly what Haggai Hammami did for three months until his return for entry into university studies.
Haggai, a grandson of immigrants from Yemen, was influenced by the stories he heard from his parents about the programs that helped them reach academic achievements and successfully integrate into Israeli society, and even travel abroad as emissaries for the Jewish Agency. These stories shaped his identity, along with the values he learned at home as well as in the Alliance – Kol Israel Haverim Raymond Leven French-Israeli School in Mikve Israel.
Haggai completed school, where he learned French and heard about new immigrants from France, with highest honors. During Haggai's last year in the army, waves of anti-Semitism of increasing intensity swept through France. This strengthened his resolve to fly to France to help the Jewish community. Haggai was determined to "enrich their knowledge of the Hebrew language and of Israel as a society and country." He turned to the people of Kol Israel Haverim, who were glad to connect an Alliance graduate with the George Leven School in Paris.
After thoughtful reflection on the community's needs during this sensitive period and an assessment of his abilities, two central areas were chosen in which Haggai was to invest his efforts: student mentoring, and reinforcing the Israeli identity and affinity of the school's students.
He devoted most of his time assisting students in Hebrew studies, math, English and physics. "My reward was the students' success", tells Haggai. "It was especially exciting for me when students that had faced difficulties thanked me after significantly improving their achievements".
As a released soldier, Haggai also served as an unofficial ambassador for questions on the Israeli army. "Many students and parents who were on their way to immigrate to Israel turned to me with questions about serving in the IDF. Compared to high school students in Israel, they have relatively little knowledge about the options available in the army. Through our conversations they learned for the first time that there are various possible courses army service can take".
One of the leading values felt by Haggai during his encounter with members of the community was mutual responsibility. Haggai represents the solidarity Israelis feel toward the Jewish community in France, just as the people of the Jewish community he met feel the need to take action for the sake of the "shared destiny" of all the people of Israel. "This was a once in a lifetime experience" says Haggai, summing up his stay in Paris. "It was a privilege for me to go on such a mission".
