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Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky is taking on a different role as Israel’s public schools prepared to open for the 5778 school year; on 1 September. Sharansky has decided to address eating healthy lunches and snacks during the school year.

As Sharansky tells kids how to make the perfect Israeli sandwich, with a base that’s “hard on the outside and soft on the inside. Just like all of us Israelis,” with “olives, a symbol of peace,” and of course, “a little salt” symbolizing “a little Israeli chutzpah,” there’s a deeper message from the Jewish Agency head, requesting that new immigrants to Israel from all over the world are welcomed and embraced:

Dear parents and children,

We’re starting a new school year and we’re all excited.

I have a request:

In your classrooms, you’ll meet many new immigrants from different countries.

Sometimes their Hebrew isn’t good.

They are a little nervous and a little shy . . .

Open your hearts and your homes.

Embrace them with love as the Jewish people embraces them with love.

They will succeed, because there is no better integration than integration into a loving family.

Have a successful school year and bon appetit to us all.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)