“When I was 17; It was a very good year …

But now the days are short; I’m in the autumn of the year

And now I think of my life as vintage wine

From fine old kegs; From the brim to the dregs

It poured sweet and clear; It was a very good year”

Lyrics: Ervin Drake

Singer: The one and only Frank!

The Herzlia High School graduation class of 1965, those of us who live in Israel, celebrating 60 years since we matriculated from a then tiny, unknown school at the tip of Africa. Sadly, there are those of our classmates in Israel who are incapacitated, or who have passed, but they are very much in our thoughts as we honor our school, and the huge impact it made on our lives.

In our year group, almost 50% made Aliyah, heavily influenced by the strong Zionist ethos embedded in our school, and together with the more than 700 Herzlians who over the years, similarly decided to make their home in Israel, each in our own way, hopefully made and are continuing to make a meaningful contribution towards the on-going building of our cherished country – through thick and thin.

But more than that, some 200 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of our graduating class, are a thriving and dedicated part of the beautiful tapestry of people and backgrounds that comprise the State of Israel today. The powerful effect of a Herzlia education – together with the influence of my late parents z”l, who gave to the annual community Israel fundraisng  campaign when they barely had  a red cent to their name, and the role that Habonim then, played in my life, all aligned to make us lifelong Zionists and lovers of Israel.

Solly Kaplinski