ynetFifteen years ago Avichai Roitman met officer Chen Bareket, who asked him to promise he'd become an officer himself. When he graduated, Chen showed up to surprise him at the ceremony.
Quotes by Chen Bareket
Selected excerpts from the interview.
I remember the spark in his eyes when we talked; a special connection was formed. There are moments in life that are hard to explain. I grew up in Maccabim-Reut, where the exhibition was held. I volunteered to be there, so that whole day was special for me.
When he sent me the message it was amazing. I was on cloud nine all day. Today I'm a father to girls roughly the age Avichai was, and it's crazy to think how we sometimes do small things that touch and influence so many years later.
Today I help businesses, government ministries and the third sector advance and realize social-impact goals, so I work a lot with social organizations, and this was like a reminder from the past that I'm on the right path today.
I was truly moved when he walked toward me.
The story is a reminder that lasting impact can begin with a small human gesture whose value is impossible to measure at the time. For us, technology should extend connection and influence like this — never replace them.