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‘When a Door Slams, Open a Window’(5:16)
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Barkai, who was born and raised in Israel, nevertheless says she was surprised to discover — when she became a commander for new recruits in the IDF — a yawning socioeconomic divide between different sectors of society. It was then that she realized what a critical role upbringing plays in a soldier’s status in the army and future career. After pursuing a law degree at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, she decided to dedicate her life to social services. In 2013, she founded the Alma Preparatory School for Female Leadership, to provide girls from more disadvantaged households the very opportunities for broadening their horizons that she had seen was missing during her early years in the military. She shares the story of how she received support from the Jewish Agency; the wise words of Gandhi she took to heart; the success of her school and its trickle effect on her personal life that led to her marriage.