A Special Occasion to Remember: Alumnus Nadir Hovav

BY LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZI

AMIT Ramle Technological High School knows its students need extra support to thrive, regardless of the background that led them to the vocational school. For AMIT Ramle alumnus Nadir Hovav, that history includes cerebral palsy, which he was born with, and which has presented many challenges in his young life.

Nadir, who gets around exclusively in a wheelchair, spent much of his youth in and out of surgeries and hospitals, forced to transfer to numerous schools because they could not accommodate his special needs.

“I studied in special education and then integrated into the regular school system,” he said. “I went through many schools. One year I studied at a technological school but couldn’t continue because of a lack of accessibility.”

Shortly after he transferred to the AMIT Ramle School in 10th grade, Nadir had to undergo complex surgery on his legs and was unable to attend school for three months.

“Of all the schools I studied at, and I studied at a lot, I received the best treatment at AMIT — warm and caring,” said Nadir. “From the principal to the teachers to the guard at the gate and the other students, they all came to visit me in the hospital.”

In addition, Nadir says when he first arrived at AMIT Ramle, the school was not wheelchair-accessible — but that soon changed.

“The principal and all the administration ensured that the entire school became disabled-friendly — the entrance, the bathroom, the yard, and all the classrooms,” he said. “They ensured that all my classes would be on the first floor so I could access everything.”

Nadir expressed his amazement and gratitude for the decision.

“I know that making the entire school accessible costs a lot of money — thousands or maybe even millions of shekels. I went to many schools, and nobody has ever given me this kind of support,” he said.

That includes his parents, from whom Nadir is unfortunately estranged.

“I have not been in contact with my parents for many years. You can even say that I am an orphan,” he said. “AMIT is like my family.”

Now 25, Nadir recently married the love of his life.

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The two met through the charity organization Haverim LeRefuah, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people who cannot afford life-saving medicine.

“I took part in some of the activities at the organization due to my disability, and she was a volunteer,” Nadir said. “We met and the rest is history.”

But with little family support, Nadir wasn’t sure how he and his fiancée could afford their wedding — an expensive endeavor even in the most ideal circumstances.

“Everyone at AMIT [Ramle] knew that I had proposed and was going to get married,” he said. “They knew that a henna is very expensive, and they just said, ‘We are throwing one for you.’”

In an incredible show of care and support, the AMIT Ramle High School hosted the pre-wedding traditional henna ceremony for the bride and groom. It was an extremely moving ceremony for everyone in attendance — especially Nadir.

“AMIT Ramle took care of everything, including the DJ, lighting, and presents to start our life together, and everyone pitched in — the teachers and even the students who decorated and set everything up,” Nadir recounted. “It was so moving; I never thought I would experience such a joyous occasion. There was so much food, and I couldn’t believe that so many people came to celebrate with us.”

Today, Nadir considers himself truly blessed.

“Every child needs an adult to believe in him. I think this is very important, and AMIT is doing G-d’s work in every aspect, whether physical, financial, and so on,” he said. “I will never be able to count how much they provided and gave to me. There are really no words to describe it. They are my family, not just my school.”

Nadir also has a message to share with Israeli society: “Integrate people with disabilities and remove the barriers they face in society,” he said. “There can be a lot of growth if you provide them with the right tools, like AMIT Ramle did for me.”

BY CHEF MEIR GABBAI