Hadassah members and guests gathered on Thursday, May 22, at Meir Shfeyah Youth Aliyah Village to celebrate the dedication of the first new dormitory to be built since 1989. The Albert and Victoria Naggar Dormitory is a beautiful new building, designed in deep earthy tones to create a soothing environment — a deep contrast to the tumultuous times endured by the students who are experiencing ongoing war.
The dormitory, made possible by the guided gift of Miri Levine and Fifi Goodfellow, trusted guardians of the Albert & Victoria Trust, overlooks the picturesque Wadi el Maleh, the ancient salt route leading to Tiberias. Part of a pastoral complex with buildings that date back to the times of Baron Rothschild, the new dormitory becomes the keystone of the campus, a jewel in the crown of the little village our students call home.
Guests were warmly welcomed by the village and enjoyed the songs performed by the student members of the Meir Shfeyah Orchestra.
Miri and Fifi, honored guests and dear friends of the village, spoke about their Uncle Albert Naggar. Albert and his wife, Victoria, did not have children of their own but loved children. “It was an easy decision,” says Fifi. Miri and her husband, Jeffrey, visited the village, not knowing what to expect, and “fell in love within minutes.”
Eli Wagner, chairman of the board of directors of the village, called it “a moment of joy and a moment of pride.” He went on to speak about Hadassah’s strong support of the village: “Thousands and thousands of children went through this village, and without your support we couldn’t do it.”
Other guests of honor included Hadassah Youth Aliyah Chair Michele Rubin, immediate past chair Marcie Natan and Hadassah Offices in Israel Executive Director Suzie Patt Benvenisti.
Twenty students will move into the cozy complex at the beginning of the new school year. We are positive that these students will enjoy this new campus home for many years. Thank you, Miri and Fifi, for the generosity you have shown the students of Meir Shfeyah
