Educator Moves From West Bank To Southern Israel For Diverse Community
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Odelia Alexelsi, an educator with 20 years of experience in West Bank settlements, has moved with her family to southern Israel to become the principal of a school in Nitzan. She cited a desire for her children to experience a more diverse society and to foster greater national unity.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Educator Odelia Alexelsi moved from West Bank to southern Israel.
- She will lead a school in Nitzan, Hof Ashkelon region.
- The move was motivated by a desire for diverse community experience.
- Alexelsi also cited recent national events as a factor.
- Regional council head welcomed her as a symbol of unity.
After two decades in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, educator Odelia Alexelsi has relocated with her husband and five children to the western Negev region of southern Israel. Alexelsi, 40, who previously managed a school in Ofra and co-founded one in Har Bracha, has taken on the role of principal at a school in the community of Nitzan, within the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.
Alexelsi stated that the desire to move had been developing for years, but recent events in Israel, particularly the October 7th Hamas attack, prompted the decision. She expressed a wish for her children to experience a truly diverse society, not through artificial encounters but through daily life in shared spaces like supermarkets and neighborhoods, fostering genuine connection without prejudice.
Her career in education began after pursuing degrees in psychology. Initially aiming for a therapeutic role with children, she transitioned to school-based education. After completing a Ministry of Education leadership program with honors, she managed the Ofra school and helped establish the Har Bracha school. Her new position involves leading a religious, Torah-oriented school.
Beyond academic excellence and preparing students for a changing world, Alexelsi emphasized the importance of resilience and inter-societal connection. She believes that simple human interactions, like those between school principals from different backgrounds within the regional council, build a strong society. She also stressed the need for students to develop advanced skills for the AI era and strive for academic excellence, but most importantly, to cultivate emotional resilience and the ability to listen to others.
For Alexelsi, who was born and raised in Ashkelon, the move represents a full circle. She recalled her youth, remembering friendships between girls with different lifestyles who maintained their bonds. She aims to provide this experience to her children and new students in Nitzan, believing that genuine connection happens when people are authentic. She stated that children need to know their values while also being able to connect deeply with all segments of the Israeli people.
Itamar Revivo, head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, welcomed Alexelsi, calling her move a symbol of true Israeli unity and praising her leadership and values.