‘Formula’ for Success

PROUDLY DEFENDING
D
A NATION…
uring her junior year at Albany Academy for Girls, the Israel Defense
Forces (IDF) contacted Keren Engoltz ’06 to inquire about heading to
Israel to serve in the military. She was a bit hesitant to go to Israel but
ultimately decided that she felt a strong connection to the country as a
Jewish person and wanted to follow in her family’s footsteps of serving
in the IDF.
“I cannot convey how happy and fulfilled I feel after my service in
Israel,” said Keren. “The training and my job as a combat hummer
operator proved very strenuous and difficult, yet I would do it all over
again if I had the chance. Serving in the army greatly helped me
assimilate into Israeli culture.”
After graduation from AAG, Keren joined the IDF to serve as a
combat hummer operator – one of the few positions for females that
require reserve service. She was involved in training regular and reserve
tank crews and attained the rank of sergeant.
Most young Israelis go abroad after serving and Keren was no
exception, visiting Australia, New Zealand, Nepal and the U.S. In
addition, Keren was selected to receive the prestigious Heseg Scholarship
for young people who come to Israel to serve in the IDF and plan to
remain in Israel. Eighty out of 800 applicants received the scholarship,
which includes full tuition payment and a monthly stipend.
As part of the scholarship, winners are expected to do volunteer
work with an organization of their choice; Keren chose to work with
the Israeli organization Or Yarok (Green Light) to educate young
drivers about safe driving habits and the dangers of drinking and
driving. She is especially qualified as her position in the army was
as a professional driver.
She has already begun participating in archaeological digs and plans
to continue her studies through a Ph.D. degree in the University of
Haifa’s world-renowned Marine Archeology program. Keren is currently
participating in an underwater excavation at Dor Bay, south of Haifa.
She says she learned how to balance
her time, take a leadership role and about
the benefit of service to others during her
time at AAG. A student at the school from
8th grade through 12th grade, Keren has
a variety of fond memories of her time at
our school.
“My favorite AAG memories include
people rather than specific occurrences,”
said Keren. “My teachers were unforgettable,
especially Sénor Conway, Ms. Lawson and
Dr. Allman. I also made great friends that
although I no longer reside in the U.S., I
am still able to keep in touch with. The
Academy’s high level of education allowed
me to excel and receive high grades with
which I was able to easily be accepted to
university without an entrance exam.”
Spring/Summer 2010 7