‘We want to celebrate everything that is Herzlia. The contribution of our alumni and teachers, to Cape Town, South Africa and in fact the world, is remarkable. Wherever Herzlians are, they have become involved in their community. To sum it up – Jewish Education on the Southern tip of Africa has benefited the world. Our alumni are doctors, published authors, photographers, painters, judges, musicians, artists, rabbis, human rights activists, scientists – in fact we have made a contribution to all spheres of life for Herzlia is far more than merely an educational institution of the highest standard – it is actually a way of life’, says Eddy Oblowitz, the current chairman of the Herzlia Foundation.
‘Herzlia has travelled some rocky roads and only through the continued dedication and generosity of many of our community members is Herzlia on a relatively sound financial footing. However, we still place a continuing heavy burden and reliance on the United Communal Fund for funding.
The time has come to ’future-proof‘ Herzlia for the next 70 years and beyond.
“To this end, Marco van Embden has agreed to serve as Project Director for our 2010 campaign. Our aim is to raise the capital value of the Herzlia Foundation from its current R70 million to R120 million over a 5-year period.
Marco is a well-known personality in Cape Town Jewry and comes with a wealth of leadership experience and communal service. In fact, he served as the chairman of the UHS from 1997 – 1999 and was deeply involved in the 60th anniversary Millennium Campaign that laid the basis for growth of the Herzlia Foundation to the level it is today. Marco’s experience underpinned by his intimate knowledge of communal workings and having a personal connection to Herzlia spanning from the 60’s to date, makes him an exceptional incumbent”.
Marco has already set the parameters for the campaign. “The 2010 celebrations will take place over the course of the entire year,” We are taking a two-pronged approach – our 70th celebrations, which will take place at all levels within the school system and our community at large, and a fund raising campaign which will include our alumni worldwide.”
Tracy Klass from the Herzlia Foundation has made the following details known: “Our celebrations will take place throughout 2010 culminating in a Herzlia Celebration Week from the 2 – 9th August. Some of the events planned for that week are an alumni golf day and Shabbat services led and hosted by our pupils, until the weekend culminating in a gala dinner dance on Sunday 8th August (diarise now) amongst other special activities. We would love for as many of our alumni as possible to celebrate with us by coming to Cape Town for that long weekend.)
We will encourage our overseas alumni to hold reunions in their cities. We will assist by sending them archive photos, schools magazines and even a video clip or two. They also can host virtual 70th reunions on Facebook. Of course a very exciting aspect with be the school celebrations. Geoff Cohen and the principals will be planning a range of exciting activities some of these will be a interschool soccer tournament, mounting a the Herzlia 70th Anniversary Argus Cycle Tour Team, and a celebration of Herzlia talent, past and present in the Night of the 70 Stars. We invite the community to come together, to celebrate and acknowledge the role Herzlia has played in all our lives. Children, parents, grandparents AND ALUMNI ALL OVER THE WORLD, we all have much to celebrate and be proud of.
Herzlia needs your help!