The dark clouds of war, in the land of rebirth and hope, were dispelled by the light of knowledge, which was kindled in the first days of September with the start of the school year in the Christian schools of Israel.

Br ABDEL MASIH FAHIM, ofm Director of the Terra Santa School Ramla Hope, by which we live, is what will open the way to a bright future for us, God willing.

Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land and Director of the Schools of the Holy Land Let us educate our children in peace, forgiveness, tolerance, love and acceptance of others, this is the message of the Custody of the Holy Land. The biggest challenges of this school year are war-related, the same as last year, especially in the north of the country, where warnings are constantly being heard.

Dean JERIES MANSOUR Inspector of Religious Educational Institutions at the Department of Education We in the Department of Education are working hard to ensure safety and security for students. We started by providing safe spaces within the school and now students have a safe environment during school hours.

Br ABDEL MASIH FAHIM, ofm Director of the Terra Santa School Ramla The second type of challenge is the rapid evolution of technology, in particular artificial intelligence (AI), which is frighteningly evident in schools. This can reduce human feelings and emotions to impotence to the point of turning the human being into a mere electronic device, but we are also preparing ourselves on this front. This year the Terra Santa School Ramla has been thoroughly renovated. On 3 September, the kindergarten classrooms were opened with new teaching equipment, toys and play areas. Brother Ibrahim Faltas, vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, cut the inaugural ribbon and opened the new classrooms for the children who, with baby steps, have entered the endless world of education.

SHIREEN NATOUR HAFI Director of Arab Education at the Ministry of Education I strongly believe in the vision of Brother Abdel Masih, it is very important to inculcate solid concepts, values and educational foundations in our children, right from infancy, from kindergarten. The roots of the ‘Terra Santa School’ in Ramla date back to the year 1728 and it is a history that continues uninterrupted to this day.

RONEN AZARIA General Director of the Municipality of Ramla The contribution of the Holy Land school is not only in the level of education, but also in the level of peaceful coexistence in a city that welcomes diverse populations and groups. The education train set off peacefully despite dark clouds and difficulties, aiming to advance, prosper and hope for a better future.

Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land and Director of the Holy Land Schools We wish them a school year full of prosperity, peace and a better future than the present in which we live.