When war erupted in October 2023, the quiet town of Betzet, near Israel’s northern border, was thrown into chaos. With rocket sirens blaring, the town’s residents were forced to evacuate, leaving behind homes, memories, and their community. ICEI’s Shalom Aleichem Elementary School suddenly found itself scattered, its teachers facing the challenge of reaching their students even as they grappled with their own fears and uncertainty. But for Principal Yifat Shayet Meshulam and the ICEI team, the students’ wellbeing remained paramount, no matter where they were located.
ICEI Support During Times of Crisis
During this turbulent time, Meshulam found vital support in ICEI Principal Mentor Mira Pinchas, who became more than just a mentor—she was a lifeline. From October 7th onward, Pinchas maintained constant communication with Meshulam, providing not only professional guidance but also a reassuring presence amid the fear and uncertainty. Pinchas regularly visited the school’s temporary sites, where Meshulam worked tirelessly to address the evolving needs of displaced families and communities. Together, they formed a strong support network, reminding students, teachers, and parents alike that they were not alone.
Rebuilding a School Amid Chaos
Because many displaced Betzet residents were housed in a hotel on Kibbutz Ginosaur near the Kinneret, Meshulam set up the school’s activities there, even though she was staying with family more than an hour away. Over the following year and a half, the school relocated several times, using makeshift classrooms in an archeological museum and a former plastics factory. ICEI staff visited regularly, bringing crucial supplies and moral support.
ICEI staff visits Betzet elementary school’s temporary location in Ein HaMifratz. ICEI Pedagogical Supervisor Orly Dochin (far left); ICEI Principal Mentor Mira Pinchas (second from left); ICEI literacy coach Michal Hershkovich-Lazarof (5th from left); Principal Yifat Shayet Meshulam (6th from left).
With ICEI’s support, Meshulam cobbled together a team that included literacy coach Michal Hershkovich-Lazarof, a few of the school’s staff, displaced teachers from other schools, parents, soldiers, and teenage volunteers. “Every week felt like September 1st, with new students and teachers arriving all the time,” Meshulam shared, “We had students we didn’t know, from other towns, and our own students leaving to stay with family around the country. And our staff of teachers and volunteers was constantly shifting.”
At the start of the 2024-25 school year, renewed rocket attacks from Lebanon forced the school to shift to remote learning. For weeks, students in temporary housing or crowded in with relatives joined their classes on screen, with regular interruptions as they ran for safe rooms. Yet, the team persevered, driven by their mission to provide a sense of normalcy for Betzet’s students.
Keeping the Community Together
Principal Meshulam understood that teaching the students in front of her wasn’t enough, and ICEI helped her ensure that families scattered across the country stayed connected to the school. ICEI hired a Parent & Community Coordinator, who worked with former school staff members to check in with parents and help them navigate challenges at home, and conducted a parent questionnaire to make sure families received the support they needed.
“At first, we didn’t even know what to ask for,” Hershkovich-Lazarof admitted. “But ICEI made sure we had everything we needed–books, buses, places to stay, emotional support for the teachers.” ICEI reimbursed staff travel expenses, provided holiday gifts for teachers, and provided therapists for those in need.
A Coach With an Ever-Changing Role
Michal Hershkovich-Lazarof, the ICEI literacy coach, faced her own battles as she supported the school. “I have two sons in combat units serving in Gaza” she said. “In a situation like that, you want to hide in your bed and never come out. But you’re needed, so you keep moving.” Although Hershkovich-Lazarof expected to focus on coaching teachers in ICEI’s model, she instead had to adapt to an ever-changing reality, serving sometimes as a classroom teacher, a special-ed teacher, coordinating social programs, or providing support for parents.
“I’ve learned so much about myself as a mom, a coach, a teacher, a team member, and a citizen,” says Michal. “I’m sorry these had to be the circumstances, but I’ve learned my own strength.”
Looking Ahead
Today, the Shalom Aleichem School is implementing intensive interventions focused on closing the educational gaps left by months of disruption. With the help of ICEI staff and Medida, ICEI’s data-tracking system, teachers are zooming in on the needs of each student, determined not to leave anyone behind.
“The challenges aren’t over, but we’ve done more than just survive,” says Hershkovich-Lazarof. “Our kids have kept learning and growing. We hope to return home to Betzet soon, but in the meantime, we’re still building—and now we know that nothing can stop us.”
