Independence Day Triumph! All Israeli Students Win Medals at International Chemistry Olympiad

A historic accomplishment was achieved by the six members of Israel’s student delegation, all of whom won medals at the International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad held in Moscow. The 60th anniversary of the Mendeleev Olympiad was marked this year with a particularly impressive event, featuring 35 countries and 165 participants. The six students were trained at the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry at the Technion.

Members of the delegation:

• Itamar Ben Shmuel (Ramat Gan), a 12th-grade student at Hakfar Hayarok – Gold Medal (5th place in the world!)
• Daniel Granovsky (Holon), an 11th-grade student at Pinhas Ayalon High School – Silver Medal
• Yehonadav Marienberg (Mazkeret Batya), an 11th-grade student at Yeshivat Har Etzion for Young Men, Alon Shvut – Silver Medal
• Yogev Cohen Ben Zaken (Tzoran), a 12th-grade student at Hakfar Hayarok – Bronze Medal
• Yoav Pripaz Cohen (Ramat Gan), a 12th-grade student at Ohel Shem High School – Bronze Medal
• Noam Margulies (Petah Tikva), an 11th-grade student at Moshe Arens High School – Bronze Medal

The delegation was accompanied by Itamar Steinitz, head of the delegation, an Olympiad medalist and instructor in Israel’s Chemistry Olympiad team, who holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and linguistics; and Guy Zimmerman, an Olympiad medalist, an outstanding instructor in the national team, who holds a dual bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics, and is a master’s student in chemistry.

Prof. Zeev Gross, academic director of the program, who joined the delegation, said: “It is hard to imagine a more moving event at this time than a competition that began the day after Holocaust Remembrance Day and concluded at noon on Independence Day, with the announcement that all six members of the Israeli delegation had won medals and their ascent to the stage with the Israeli flag.”

The closing and medal ceremonies were attended by two representatives from the Israeli Embassy in Moscow: political advisor Shir Hasson and embassy spokesperson Alexandra Zakhary.

The students underwent intensive training during this challenging year under head coach Dr. Reut Shapira and the dedicated coaching team: Dr. Yuri Andreev, Dr. Slava Kutuzov, laboratory manager Dr. Idan Avigdori, educational advisor Shir Kagan, and past Olympiad medalists Asaf Moadah, Guy Zimmerman, Sean Hantz, Maxim Sevostyanov, Omer Ben Ami, Noya Dishon, and Yonatan Gontmacher.

The high school Olympiad project is a joint initiative of the Future Scientists Center (Maimonides Fund) and the Ministry of Education. The Technion was selected as the academic institution responsible for selecting and training the students who form the core of the delegation. Training takes place at the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry in close collaboration with the faculty’s academic and administrative staff.