It was a poignant moment when Meir and Anna Weksler met Eden Samuel at the graduation ceremony of the Communication’s Department at Sapir College.

This year’s commencement exercise, held on June 8th, had added significance, as the Wekslers presented Samuel with the college’s first, annual scholarship for outstanding academic achievement, in memory of their son, Yoav. Yoav Weksler, of blessed memory, holds a special place in the hearts of graduates and faculty at Sapir.  Before passing away at the age of 28, Yoav was an aspiring photographer, invited to display his work at exhibitions in different locations. A graduate of Sapir’s Communications Department, Yoav was a talented and charismatic artist who left his mark on all who knew him. His brother, Michel and his wife Orit conceived of the idea to commemorate Yoav’s life by helping other students to fulfill their own professional dreams.

Eden Samuel is now one of those students. Inspired by the celebrated television personality Oprah Winfrey, Eden’s dream is to pursue a career in journalism, starting as a field reporter. Both Eden and the Weksler family were visibly moved by the ceremony.

Dr. Moti Gigi, Chair of Sapir’s Communications Department, sees this as another milestone in the growth of Sapir Academic College. “We want Sapir to be a magnet for the most talented and dedicated young people in communications and the arts” he says. “We offer them a rigorous program of academic studies, theory and research. But above all, we want them to dream. The generosity of the Weksler family, and Yoav’s abiding memory, will help make this happen.”

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