Empowering Communities: Elbit’s Volunteer Initiative Inspires Peripheral Youth
After joining forces to repaint an old Skyhawk jet plane located outside Amal high school, the bond between Cyclone's employees and the students has just begun
“There’s no greater satisfaction in life than there is in giving to someone else,” said a Cyclone employee, reflecting on the rewarding experience of helping rejuvenate and repaint the iconic Skyhawk jet plane stationed near the classrooms of the Israeli Amal High School in Ramat David, a campus dedicated to aviation studies. “Seeing the plane restored to its former state makes me happy. It looks fantastic.”, he added.
In this heartwarming initiative, among many others every year, Cyclone’s passionate employees volunteered their time to guide and support junior-year students from Amal High School. The mutual connection is clear: Cyclone is a company that specializes in designing and making aviation parts, whereas the students study aviation and engineering fields in hopes to professionalize someday in the exact same industry. Thus, their mission went beyond preserving the old Skyhawk jet; it aimed to forge a powerful bond with the younger generation, offering them a glimpse into future career possibilities.
“We conduct numerous mentoring programs throughout our company and subsidiaries,” explains Liron Shapira, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Diversity, and Inclusion at Elbit Systems. “These programs are designed to create strong connections between our employees and high schoolers from the peripheral areas of Israel – both geographical and cultural.”
Exploring “Elbitov” Week
Elbit’s community involvement strategy extends evenly across each worksite, from the most northern point in Tel-Hai to the southern city of Arad in the Negev. Over 30 Elbit employees stationed at more than 20 company sites collaborate to create an annual volunteering schedule tailored to their colleagues’ geographic proximity, focusing their efforts on supporting local communities.
During “Elbitov” week – a fusion of the company name and the Hebrew word for “good” (“Tov”) – over 1,500 Elbit workers participated in more than 100 diverse volunteering activities nationwide. Their collective dedication and over 3,000 hours of volunteering positively impacted the lives of more than 5,000 people.
“On Elbitov week, our community leaders ensured that the activities were diverse and catered to the specific needs of each local population,” Shapira explains. Voluntary acts ranged from assisting Holocaust survivors, packing and delivering essential food packages, and cleaning hiking areas, to providing aid in agriculture and renovating shelters for at-risk women and youth.
Empowering Youth Through Technology
However, Elbit’s employees’ most significant contribution to the community, especially its youth, lies in their vast technological expertise and knowledge. Alongside the activities of Elbitov week, volunteers held classes and group meetings with young students, introducing them to technical concepts, learning materials, and potential career opportunities in various fields.
Moreover, to address the unfortunate reality that youth from Israel’s geographical and cultural periphery face limited opportunities to join technological units in the IDF, Elbit workers actively participate in “Acharai-Tech,” a project aimed to encourage high schoolers to pursue these promising positions in the army.
Additionally, a project called “Babushka” focuses on empowering female high school students, helping them excel in technological subjects and nurturing their interest in becoming engineers in the future. Through this initiative, young girls are paired with female university student mentors, supported by experienced Elbit female employees as supervisors.
“This approach is one of our company’s strengths and an integral part of our strategy,” adds Shapira. She further explains that the collaboration between Amal High School and Elbit’s workers is an ongoing process aimed at deepening their bond – a bond that has already flourished in a different school in Haifa. The painting and renovation of the Skyhawk plane served as a heartwarming prelude to a more meaningful and long-lasting relationship that will include mentoring and guidance.
Reigniting the Spark
A ray of positive energy filled the air as the final brushstrokes were applied to the old jet plane. “It turned out absolutely incredible,” joyfully shared a student from the school.
Yoav Barabi, the headmaster of Amal High School, also reflected on the project enthusiastically. “It was a truly remarkable experience. The plane has been revitalized to perfection, and everyone involved had an incredible time. Elbit’s workers are not only highly skilled but also hold qualities of patience, respect, and overall – they are true professionals. This renovation has reignited the spark within our school.”
Undoubtedly, the collaboration between Cyclone’s devoted employees and the students at Amal High School has started an inspiring connection. Through their shared efforts, this transformative journey has left a major mark on the spirit of unity that now radiates throughout the school. It is a testament to the profound impact that can be achieved when a community comes together with compassion, dedication, and a shared vision for a brighter future.
