(Courtesy of AMIT) Seventeen-year-old AMIT student Reut Amichai was honored with lighting a torch at this year’s Israeli 75th Anniversary Independence Day Opening Ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on the eve of April 25. She did so in honor of Shomer HaChadash, an organization she has volunteered with for more than three years and whose mission is to protect state-owned lands.
Reut is the youngest person to have been awarded such an honor. This year there was a particularly large pool of candidates recommended for their contributions to Israeli society. Only 30 candidates from 1,600 applicants were chosen by a special committee. Minister Miri Regev and the Prime Minister’s office made the final choices for those to light the 12 torches, of which Reut was one.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected to be part of the monumental ceremony and only hope I can live up to my expectations to support my country and inspire other young people,” said Reut.
Reut Amichai is a 12th-grade student at Midreshet AMIT Kama in Yeruham. She resides with her family in the settlement of Neta in the Lakish region. This community was founded by the displaced individuals from Gush Katif along with families who joined subsequently, including Reut’s parents. In addition to her involvement as a madricha in Bnei Akiva, she also volunteers for the Shomer HaChadash. When asked about her motivation to join, Reut explained, “I aspired to make a difference and contribute, while being surrounded by good people.”
“We are so proud to have one of our AMIT students selected to light the torch at this year’s celebration,” said Audrey Axelrod Trachtman, AMIT’s national president. “Our goal is to inspire our students to become world leaders, and Reut is one example of our many extraordinary students.”
The torch-lighting ceremony ushers in Independence Day celebrations and signifies the end of Yom HaZikaron. The ceremony is held annually at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem and is led by the speaker of the Knesset. Among those in attendance are government ministers, Knesset members, IDF veterans, members of the diplomatic staff and citizens. The ceremony is broadcast live on national television and radio channels, and the focal point is the lighting of 12 torches, which symbolize the Twelve Tribes of Israel. These torches are lit by individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society. In addition to the torch lighting, the ceremony includes music performances, dances, parades and fireworks.
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