Throughout his four years as a BTJ instructor, Avichai Charizi has sparked transformations, both as an innovative Hebrew Language teacher and a champion volunteer inspiring and guiding students to become volunteers for life. At the start of the 2024-25 schoolyear, he was named principal of Boys Town Jerusalem High School.
Charizi spearheaded change at BTJ
Charizi, who holds a B.A. in Jewish Education and an M.A. in Hebrew Language studies, was commended last year by the Israel Education Ministry for transforming his Hebrew Language classes to popular, experiential lessons scoring record popularity. At the same time, Boys Town Jerusalem was named by the Education Ministry as one of Israel’s leading schools for volunteering and community service efforts, spearheaded by Avichai Charizi.
First project was to clean the campus
As principal, his first broad challenge to the student body – a campus cleanup campaign – has quickly changed the face of the now nearly-spotless classes and hallways. The school’s walls feature vivid posters of students’ volunteering efforts, compliments of graphic artist Avichai Charizi. In the academic sphere, the new principal proudly notes the introduction of a Spoken Arabic course for grades 9-11. “The war has augmented this critical need for communication and awareness,” he emphasizes.
Respect and communication are key
Principal Charizi stresses the mutual commitment of respect and communication between him and all BTJ High School students. “My door is open to a constant stream of students,” he shares. As for his renowned passion for involving students in volunteering, he takes tremendous pride in their remarkably expanded efforts to help the needy. “I’m now blessed to see boys – many who face very difficult homelives – not only lending a helping hand, but enthusiastically accepting ‘the other’ at school and in everyday life.”