Israeli politicians’ first day of school

As Israel’s schools launched the educational year to much fanfare Monday, some of the leading Knesset members waxed nostalgic, taking to social media to post baby-faced photos of their early years and offering wistful comments along with some advice.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni posted a picture of herself in a school play, alongside a message urging the students embarking on their first day to never give up.

“And in the most difficult moments — and there will be some — remember what my mother told my math teacher, who complained about my grades: ‘The most important thing is that she is a [decent] person.’ Remember that if someone, a teacher or anyone else, says you can’t — he’s wrong. The sky is the limit, if you will it,” she wrote.

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Labor) weighed in with a black-and-white photograph of his own, and wrote: “The boys and girls beginning the school year today are those who will inherit the state. For them we must build a just and equal society, to give hope for peace and a vision for a better future.”

Some, like Welfare Minister Meir Cohen, kept it short and sweet, pointing to the date and place where the picture was taken (Morocco, 1961), and stating: “Pleasant to remember.”

Labor MK Hilik Bar posted a photo, noted it was from 33 years ago, and said: “How young and innocent we were then.”

Yesh Atid’s Adi Kol and the Jewish Home’s Ayelet Shaked follow suit.

“Everyone talks about September 1st. I actually remember the night before. A night of tossing and turning. Of thoughts. Of questions. Of uncertainty,” Kol wrote.