Dear Friend of Athena,

Happy Passover to you and your family!

At the time of the Passover Seder one year ago, we were in the middle of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Israel was on lockdown, including the education system that was not ready for this unimaginable scenario.

Teachers from all over Israel gathered their strength to continue teaching – about half of them without essential tools like a personal laptop computer. Nevertheless, these teachers succeeded wonderfully, adjusting quickly to the new circumstances. In spite of the educational gaps among many students during COVID-19, Israeli teachers have accomplished the almost impossible. Fighting on the “frontlines,” they have earned the appreciation and respect they are due even during routine times.

Working together with our strategic partners – the Teachers Union, Bank Massad, the Ministry of Education, and our many other wonderful donors – we at Athena Fund are continuing to distribute our "digital toolbox." During this year in the shadow of the pandemic, we are providing school and kindergarten teachers with the advanced tools needed to teach in the 21st century.

During the month of February, 71 elementary school teachers from Karnei Shomron joined our "Digital Toolbox for Every Teacher" program. Later this year, many more school and kindergarten teachers will receive a laptop computer (or an iPad), 120 hours of professional training and other tools for their empowerment and advancement. And, of course, the main beneficiaries will be Israel’s students, who will enjoy more effective and interesting learning suitable for our times.

Athena Fund's vision to provide every teacher with a laptop computer and professional training has been proven as especially vital during the pandemic. Yet even now, when we're slowly getting back to normal life, it's important to continue equipping pedagogical teams with these tools, which have become an integral part of the future of education.

We at Athena Fund continue “full speed ahead” towards fulfilling our vision. I invite you to join us. Your gift today, of any amount, will allow us to provide laptop computers and training to additional teachers, who are helping to raise up the next generations of this land.

On behalf of the entire Athena Fund team, I want to wish you and your loved ones a meaningful and healthy Passover holiday!

Uri Ben-Ari
Founder & President
Athena Fund