Jonathan Matityahu aged 14 from the Gutwirth High School, Sderot, won first place in the National Debate Competition in English. His subject was Should every pupil receive a laptop?  Two of his arguments against were that it lowers your educational achievements and the connection with your teacher – and he won. He competed against 13 school teams in this project which is under the auspices of the American Embassy and other organizations. ESRA supports Herb Levine's Student Youth Leaders project which is centered at Gutwirth High School, in this case employing a new immigrant lawyer from the States who runs a debate course at the school once a week. This is only one of the aspects of the SYL program.

Adele Rubin