Courtesy of JTA. Photo credit: Courtesy of Amal
At the Holtz Interdisciplinary Air Force High School in Tel Aviv, young Israeli study avionics, drone technology, computer engineering and other aircraft-related fields for future careers in air force technology
(JTA) — When in June the Israeli Air Force launched a high-stakes mission to bomb elements of Iran’s nuclear arsenal, many of the technical crews behind the pilots who executed the operation shared a surprising detail.
They all graduated from the same high school: Holtz Interdisciplinary Air Force High School in south Tel Aviv. The school is part of the Amal Educational Network, an association of 50 schools in Israel including vocational schools that have educated some of young people behind the country’s key strategic defenses.
On its modest campus, Holtz trains high schoolers and graduates who spend two years after high school studying avionics, drone technology, computer engineering and other aircraft-related fields for future careers in air force technology. Despite its relatively aged facilities, Holtz offers one of Israel’s most advanced technical education programs, preparing teens from all walks of life for high-stakes military service in the Air Force’s elite units.
Many alumni play key roles keeping Israel’s Air Force aloft as it continues to monitor Hamas activities in Gaza, respond to threats from Yemen, and carry out occasional operations in such places as Lebanon and Syria.
Founded in 1954, Holtz is one of only three Israeli high schools dedicated to direct Air Force preparation. What makes it exceptional is not only the curriculum, but also its ethos. It is a regional magnet school that draws students from across the country: religious and secular, Jewish and Arab, from development towns and central cities. Many come from families facing serious financial hardship, housing insecurity or trauma. Holtz offers them a structured, supportive environment — and a path to excellence.
“We start in ninth grade with the goal of creating equity,” said Sarit Melamed, 60, Holtz’s principal and an alumna who has worked at the school for nearly four decades. “Some students arrive with gaps in learning and self-confidence. That first year is about leveling the playing field. Our job is to help every child believe they can make it to the top.”
Melamed’s ties to Holtz run deep: Her sister, nephew, and a cousin all studied at the school. After graduating, Melamed trained in avionics and worked on military aircraft and drone systems. She later returned to Holtz as an educator, driven by a passion for helping young people reach their potential. More than technical excellence, Melamed said the school gave her a sense of belonging and mission.
“This school changed my life. It gave me confidence and direction,” she said. “Now I try to give that back to every student who walks through these gates.”
Ofek Nissan, an alum who now works on the school’s educational staff while serving in the Air Force reserves, said this sense of commitment is deeply felt in the Holtz community.
“When you walk through these halls you feel it — the teachers, the graduates, the younger kids, everyone is connected. It’s not just a school; it’s a family, and you carry that with you even when you’re in uniform,” he said. “It was always a place I could come back to for advice, support or just to feel like I belong.”
One of Holtz’s most distinct qualities is the strong ties between the school and its alumni. Years after graduating, many alumni maintain a relationship with the school, visiting to guest lecture or participate in other events while they’re still serving in the Air Force. Still others return to the school as staff or become donors.
