On Saturday, June 7th, 320 citizens of Mazkeret Batya gathered for a special ceremony honoring Lenny and Faigel Shapiro and four local residents for their volunteer contributions to the community.

Lenny and Faigel, Calgary natives, have been involved in Mazkeret Batya since the beginning of Project Renewal, almost 20 years ago. Over the last four years, they have supported scholarships for higher education, which leverage additional funds from the local municipality and the Rotary Club.

At the ceremony, Lenny and Faigel were awarded honorary citizenship in Mazkeret Batya. The municipality had previously named a street in the town after Calgary, celebrating the warm relationship between the Shapiros, their community, and the town. Lenny Shapiro has also pledged a generous donation for educational equipment for Beit Yad LeBanim, a memorial site for fallen soldiers, which is currently being built.

Saturday’s ceremony included moving performances by the Mazkeret Batya children’s jazz dance troupe and the adult choir. In addition, a presentation of photographs of the Shapiros’ numerous visits to the town was screened, showing Lenny, Faigel, their daughters and their grandchildren in Mazkeret Batya throughout the years. Lenny spoke at the ceremony, greeting the audience in English and sharing his memories of the day that a large group from Calgary marched in the main street of Mazkeret Batya to celebrate the dedication of the Calgary-Mazkeret Batya Community Center and the adjacent sports hall. He also praised Mazkeret Batya for its absorption of a large group of Ethiopian Olim. Lenny reiterated his commitment to the students of Mazkeret Batya, mentioning that the future of the town and of Israel is dependent upon their opportunities for higher education. He concluded by expressing his hope that the students of the community continue to excel at their studies and proceed toward second and third degrees.

The audience was genuinely touched by Lenny, as he addressed them as a true friend, one who cares about Israel, its people and its soldiers.

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