Eli Bnei David Mechina head Rabbi Yehuda Sadan tells of his yeshiva graduate who will receive his pilot's wings at the Hatzerim Air Force base on Wednesday.
Y. is the first Ethiopian to become a pilot in the air force.
"We are happy and proud of Y," says Rabbi Sadan, "a graduate of our dear and beloved yeshivah who has just completed a pilots course. Of course, the success is his, but we feel connected and loving."
He adds that "Y. has studied with us for two-and-a-half years. He's always very serious and dedicated to helping the Ethiopian immigrants and promoting the youth of his community, and he's confident and knows how many strengths and talents there are in his community and he goes with it as part of the Jewish People.
"He has a long way to go as a pilot in the Air Force of the State of Israel, and we hope that the Torah and the dimensions he acquired at the yeshiva, together with his wonderful personality and values from home will help him do many more good things in heaven and on earth."
By the way, Y. will not the only Eli graduate on the parade ground Wednesday: The ceremony will be led by Major A., a graduate of the 12th class in the preparatory program, and Lieutenant Colonel Y., a pilot of the 13th graduating class, will be present at the ceremony. Today, there are seven graduates of the Bnei David preparatory program in various stages of the pilot course.