Israeli Television Puts Spotlight on Friedel
By Annette van de Kamp-Wright
When the families of two little boys, Michael and Ba’sem, traveled from Israel to Omaha for an extended stay, they needed help. Both Michael and Ba’sem needed transplants, but their families needed much more than medical care; Michael’s older sister, Ortal, needed schooling and friends. She found that at Friedel Jewish Academy, where she received education, and a warm welcome from the community of students and Teachers. Tal Margalit, Ruti and Eyal’s daughter was instrumental in absorbing Ortal into the school and easing her way into the English speaking environment in Omaha.
Ruti, whose daughter Doron attends Kindergarten at Friedel, has been heavily involved with both families, and has lately been coordinating the help that was needed from the community: “Being aware of the financial difficulties of the family moving out of their context and half- way across the world, and the tremendous expenses involved with the transplant I was thinking of ways to help. My sister-in-law, Amit Goldenberg-Margalit is an editor for Channel One, the Israeli Public Television channel, where we thought to broadcast a story that will further help with fundraising. I asked her if she could help. She suggested contacting Channel One’s correspondent in Washington DC – Nathan Guttman; it took a few weeks, many phone calls and late night emails and it was arranged.”
With camera man Joseph Tinnin in tow, Guttman came to Omaha on March 13, and visited the places that have been important during both Michael’s and Ba’sem’s stay in Omaha. “They went to Michael’s house, and spoke with his mother, Smadar, and sister Ortal; they visited Ba’sem’s house where they interviewed his parents, Ra’ek Shiek Sulliman and Radiya Grefat. A few community members from the many involved this year were interviewed as well, including Rabbi and Shani Katzman, Ophir Palmon, Nancy Wolf and Rabbi Azriel, and in conclusion they interviewed Dr. Sudan, the transplant surgeon.” Ruti Margalit, aware of how essential Friedel has been to Ortal’s well-being, also brought the crew into the school. “I wanted Nathan Guttman to include the school in the story, so people could see the wonderful environment that helped Ortal through her family’s struggles. I think it truly provided a respite for her after functioning around her brother with such great responsibility, even in the most difficult circumstances. It is great that Beth Israel, under the leadership of Rabbi Gross, made it possible for Ortal to attend Friedel. The support of Friedel teachers and students was very meaningful, including the help Helen Epstein provided with private English lessons.” Ruti and Eyal’s daughter Doron is not the first Margalit to enjoy a Friedel education. Their two older daughters, Noam and Tal, graduated from the school in the past 3 years. They continue to be very involved with the school. Currently, Ruti is heading the activity committee on the Board, for which she plans and organizes outdoor activities for the students, the next one coming up in Lag Ba’Omer 5/18/08.
