Alumni Residence in Memory of Debbie Avraham z"l

The Ort Netanya Educational Residence is launching a campaign to memorialize police officer Debbie Avraham z"l, a graduate of the residence who fell in battle on October 7th while protecting the Nova partygoers. In her memory, we will establish a unique alumni residence, for graduates who need support during the transitional phase between graduation and the next stage in their lives: military service, higher education or employment. Debbie Avraham z"l, a Class of 2001 graduate, resident of Talmei Yosef in the Eshkol Regional Council, a beloved daughter, sister, and aunt, was only 40 years old when she fell in the line of duty as a hero policewoman providing security for the Nova party in Re'im on October 7, 2023. She fought courageously against the terrorists, saved hundreds of civillians, and was killed after hours of fighting.  The devotion that characterized her in protecting civilians in the line of duty, also characterized her throughout her life. She was always looking to see what she could give, whom she could help. With great dedication and humility, she served for ten years as a patrol officer in the Ofakim police force, volunteered to serve in the Border Patrol, volunteered at a soup kitchen in Ofakim, and, each winter, saved animals and collected equpiment and blankets for them. With great love and appreciation, we wish to honor her memory via a project supporting other alumni of the educational residence.     About the project Among the alumni of the residence there are many immigrant youth of the Na'ale program, who came to Israel before their parents and are often alone in the country, as well as others who lack family support when they graduate. The time period betwen graduation and the next life stage of these alumni (higher education, military service or employment), is a difficult one, full of stress and with the potential for severe mental issues. Even during military service, many of these young adults feel that they are at a crossroads, and require social and psychological support, assistance and advice. Tragically, three years ago there was even a case of suicide by a Na'ale alumna due to such issues. The new alumni residence will serve up to four alumni each time, during this sensitive period in their lives and up to three months each. It will keep these young adults on campus, providing them with access to our team and the support they need, as well as freedom from worrying about how to make rent. The residence will in fact be a re-purposed "Egged" bus, which will be refurbished to include two bedrooms, a kitchen, a shower and a toilet, surrounded by a well-kept yard and a pergola. Your donations will help us renovate, furnish and install the necessary infrastructure for the bus residence itself, as well as revamp the yard.       About the Ort Netanya Educational Residence The residence, established in 1968 by the Society for Advancement of Education Jerusalem and Ort Israel, seeks out talented students who made aliyah on their own via the Na'ale program, as well as youth from other areas in Israel, and provides them with an excellent education that facilitates them in fulfilling their potential, alongside enrichment activities and socio-emotional support. The residence is also the home of a sports academy that offers athletic youth diverse tracks such as football, basketball, athletics, tennis, and airgun shooting. At the end of the process, they receive a high quality matriculation certificate, which helps them fully integrate into Israeli society.