Now more than ever, Benjamin Netanyahu belongs in Cheltenham High’s Hall of Fame
As a Cheltenham alum now living in Israel, I’ve seen firsthand how the prime minister deserves this honor from our alma mater.
EFRAT, Israel — I’m the third generation in my family to graduate from Cheltenham High School, and for most of my life, I have been honored to hold that diploma. It represents an education steeped in moral conviction, ethical clarity, and personal integrity. But recently, that sense of pride was dented a bit.
Roughly 200 Cheltenham students have signed a petition calling for the removal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Class of 1967) from the school’s alumni Hall of Fame.
“When students see these alumni on the wall of fame as we walk past every day, we understand that these are people we should look up to, and we strive to be like them one day,” two of the authors of the petition wrote.
As a Cheltenham alum (Class of 1996) now living in Israel, I have probably followed this story closer than most, and I’ve seen firsthand how — now more than ever — Netanyahu belongs in our alma mater’s Hall of Fame.
Throughout my life, I’ve often touted how I attended the same high school as two of Cheltenham’s most famous alumni: Reggie Jackson and Netanyahu.
Jackson (Class of 1964), of course, went on to become “Mr. October” and win five World Series titles during a 21-year, Hall of Fame career in Major League Baseball.
Jackson’s success in baseball during a time of civil unrest epitomized the diverse student body I experienced at Cheltenham schools.
And, especially for Jewish alums of Cheltenham, Netanyahu represented a different kind of hero.
Years ago, when my wife first met my family, we stopped by the local Target. “Would you like some holiday photographs?” a saleslady asked. I thanked her but demurred, referring to the logistics of having them delivered to our home in Israel.
“I know Benjamin,” she replied.
My wife was mystified.
Afterward, I explained that, even after all these years, there’s only one “Benjamin” in our neighborhood: Benjamin Netanyahu. His time spent in the Philadelphia area has always been a point of local pride.
My mother’s class (Class of 1966) was between Benjamin and Yoni Netanyahu. When their father, Benzion, came to the U.S. to teach at a local college, the brothers attended Cheltenham High.
Yoni courageously fell in battle rescuing more than 100 hostages from a hijacked airliner during Operation Entebbe in 1976, and, after 17 years in office, Bibi (as he’s affectionately called) is now the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history. In 1999, during his first term, Netanyahu was inducted into the Cheltenham Hall of Fame. His picture hangs alongside Jackson.
Even after all these years, there’s only one “Benjamin” in our neighborhood: Benjamin Netanyahu.
But the respect high schoolers once held for Netanyahu as a world leader has dissipated among the student body of Cheltenham as of late.
For the last 20 months, especially during the war with Iran, my family and I have spent many nights in our bomb shelter. Thousands of rockets have been fired at Israel from Hezbollah to our north, the Houthis to our south, and Iran to the east.
A couple of Fridays ago, as we kissed our 8- and 10-year-olds goodnight, I realized it had been some time since we’d had to take shelter.
It was almost as if the Houthis read my mind, because moments later, the air raid sirens began wailing. As we made our way to the shelter, we had the sinking realization that our eldest was outside with her friends, a 10-minute walk away. There was no way she’d make it home in time. Thank God, neighbors we’d never met rushed her and her 13 friends into their shelter.
In the end, the ballistic missile was intercepted, and no one was hurt. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. During the Iran war alone, 28 civilians died and more than 3,000 were injured.
Our day-to-day reality in Israel isn’t simple. We struggle with how best to end the war and bring the hostages home. There’s no consensus at this point.
The same can be said for the national feeling here about the prime minister. When asked in a poll last month who they would prefer as prime minister, the respondents narrowly chose Netanyahu (38%) over former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (35%). (About 21% of respondents said neither man should hold the office.)
None of this is to say Netanyahu is faultless — no politician is. I understand those who have concerns about his ongoing corruption trial, and the arrest warrant that has been filed against him in the International Criminal Court due to the war in Gaza.
But there’s one thing I’m certain of: The prime minister is doing everything in his power to protect us and the entire free world. And for what he’s done to make us all safer from threats by Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran, he deserves the highest praise, not the shame that removing him from Cheltenham’s Hall of Fame would bring.
If the Cheltenham Alumni Association caves to the pressure of the vocal minority, as so many others have, then I’m tearing up my diploma.
Hayim Leiter is a rabbi, freelance writer, and podcast host based in Israel. He can be followed at @ravhayimohel or read more at www.saferhabrit.com/blog.