OUI Chancellor Dorit Beinisch and AFOUI President Ingeborg Rennert.

American Friends of the Open University of Israel hosted a back tie gala last Monday, raising funds for scholarships and educational programs.

The institution’s liberal acceptance policy makes it a favorite of ultra-Orthodox men and women, Israeli Arabs, full-time workers, women with families at home, soldiers on active duty and new immigrants. More than 45,000 students attend the school.

One of those students, Nicole Menaged, told guests how the school had helped her after her sister committed suicide, her parents divorced, and her mother deteriorated.

“Only at the Open University of Israel could I combine a full-time job and support myself and my mother. I got financial aid scholarships and merit scholarships along the way, and I do not need to say how much it helped me,” she said. “Today I can say with certainty that I know what my greatest dream is:  I want to be the one to show others who have confronted hardships and obstacles in their youth that they can get beyond those difficulties and overcome them.”

Philanthropists Kim and Larry Heyman were honored with the group’s Yigal Alon Award, and Nina Rosenwald, received the Tzedek Award. Former Israeli Supreme Court President, Dorit Beinisch, also addressed the gathering.

AFOUI President Ingeborg Rennert, Yigal Alon Award recipients Larry and Kim Heyman, Gala Chair Mimi Hass-Perlman.

Boaz Nol, OUI Chancellor Dorit Beinisch, OUI President Professor Kobi Metzer, OUI alumna Nicole Menaged and AFOUI President Ingeborg Rennert.

AFOUI President Ingeborg Rennert, Tzedek Award recipient Nina Rosenwald, Gala Chair Mimi Hass-Perlman.