ORT Psagot Jerusalem Holds Memorial for Sgt. Yosi Hershkovitz
The ORT Psagot Jerusalem school marked the memorial for Sgt. Yosi Hershkovitz, killed in November 2023 in northern Gaza. Students volunteered with farmers near Jerusalem and ended the day with a ceremony at Mount Herzl cemetery beside his widow, Hadass.
ORT Psagot Jerusalem marked last week the memorial for Sgt. Yosi Hershkovitz, z"l, the school’s manager, who was killed in November 2023 while fighting in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Hershkovitz’s “hineni” — a vow of readiness and responsibility — shaped his daily life as an educator, and it also guided him on 7 October, when he went to fight at the front without waiting to be called.
Students continued his path
As part of the school’s tribute, the entire campus paused its routine to carry his message forward. Students — including those who had known him and those who had not — joined a volunteer effort to help farmers in the Jerusalem area.
The day concluded with a ceremony at Mount Herzl cemetery, where the school gathered alongside his widow, Hadass Hershkovitz.
Widow and school leadership speak
In a statement, Hadass Hershkovitz said, "Yosi’s ‘hineni’ shows that his kindness has no expiration date. Seeing the students walk in his footsteps and choose to stand up for others is proof that his giving continues to echo. I’m sure this is the way Yosi would have wanted to be remembered."
Micha’el Ziskin, the manager of ORT Psagot Jerusalem, added, "Even students who did not have the chance to know Yosi Hershkovitz, z"l, grow up in the values he instilled. Love of the land and giving are not just slogans; they are an inseparable part of the school’s character. On ‘hineni’ day, when students go out to volunteer and do good — even when it’s difficult and they’re sweating — they cultivate hope, continue the path, and ensure that the next generation will keep doing more good in the world."
