JNF UK heads reunite with former hostage

Former hostage, Sagui Dekel-Chen, was reunited with colleagues “in an incredibly emotional moment”, as JNF UK announced the establishment of a new education centre in Northern Israel.

JNF UK project manager Dekel-Chen, who spent almost 500 days in Gaza, reconnected with trustees and colleagues at the charity's ‘2048’ conference in Israel, where he lives.

CEO of JNF UK Elan Gorji, commented that “being reunited with Sagui was an indescribably emotional moment for all of us. We had all hoped and prayed for this moment, but nothing could prepare us for the emotion of standing beside him, hearing his voice, and witnessing the strength that has always defined him. Sagui's fierce determination and inner resilience carried him through the unimaginable”.

Sagui Dekel-Chen and JNF UK chairman Samuel Hayek (Photo: Dana Bar Siman Tov)[Missing Credit]

The conference, labelled as a “forward-looking vision towards Israel’s 100 years of independence”, was highlighted by the opening of JNF UK’s Akko House of Excellence. The educational centre will give the young people of Northern Israel “a chance... and reduce inequality in Israeli society”, according to the chairman of JNF UK, Samuel Hayek.

The centre stands at over 8,500 sq. ft and the mayor of Akko, Amichai Ben Slush said it was “one of the most impressive excellence centres I’ve ever seen”. The mayor elaborated that the centre’s establishment underlined a grander vision of investment into Israeli youth, boldly declaring: “We will keep investing in them.”

Unveiling of the JNF UK House of Excellence (Photo: Rabia Basha)[Missing Credit]

According to recent research, Israel today has one of the highest levels of disposable income inequality among developed countries. Tim Kendall, JNF UK trustee, suggested this can go some way to helping those poorest in Akko, “a place for young people...whose families could never afford such facilities or services”.

The centre is another example of a JNF UK project designed to serve the most disadvantaged communities in Israel.

The JNF UK delegation in front of the House of Excellence (Photo: JNF UK)[Missing Credit]

Delegates at the conference also visited Shlomi, a Northern border town affected by rocket fire from Lebanon, hearing first-hand from residents, harrowing experiences of evacuation and damaged properties. The conference concluded at the president’s house with the delegation meeting Isaac Herzog, reportedly discussing Israel’s great challenges and the importance of global Jewish unity.