Pessach Letter

Dear Friends,

At Pessach we tend to think about journeys: about the journey of our forefathers – their Exodus from Egypt – the journey of the people of Israel through the desert, their journey from slavery to freedom.

The children in our Youth Villages, as well, are on a journey. Theirs is one from being victims to survivors and then from survivors to becoming leaders. Every child in our Youth Village has their own, hard and sad journey from a past beset by poverty and neglect to a future full of promise. It is thanks to your help that they have been able to travel on this journey with more ease and with more confidence. With your continued support they will most certainly reach their goal: a fulfilled future.

Thank you all very much for your generous help and I extend to each and every one in our family of donors my warm wishes for a very happy Passover

Nelly Ebert
Executive Director

Dr. Eli Shetrit

The sadness felt by the Talpiot Youth Village community about Dr. Shetrit’s untimely death is deep.

Thanks to his creative and visionary leadership, he transformed Talpiot into one of the country’s most advanced therapeutic centres for at-risk children and families. It became, under his guidance, a regional force, which offers a model for modern and forward- thinking treatment programs that empower the at-risk population and strengthen the wider community. Whilst most villages typically focus on removing the children from what is all too often a bad home environment, and on providing their needs away from their homes, Dr. Shetrit’s philosophy stipulated that it is in the best interest of the at-risk child to grow up at home with his natural family. This perception crystallized into the Talpiot model, which focuses on the entire at-risk family. Dr. Shetrit understood that only by treating both child and family can the problems be solved to a degree that will enable the child to remain at home. His motto was to never treat a child in isolation, but rather work with his parents, in order to generate the change that will permit the child’s return back home as swiftly as possible – and benefit in the long run siblings and the extended family.

Dr. Shetrit always sought to see the larger picture and plan for the long-range. Problems were interrelated and needed to be tackled on various fronts, he felt. Confronting the issues of poverty, dysfunction, unemployment, domestic abuse, drug abuse or alcoholism, Dr. Shetrit initiated a wide spectrum of programs, implemented in the Village and in the community, which address these social ills with community-oriented holistic responses. When necessary, the treatment programs were even implemented at the homes of the families themselves. Through his deep commitment and quiet assetiveness, he succeeded in establishing such working relations with the local authorities, a feat which afforded both efficiency and pooling of resources.

Dr. Shetrit was only 53 years old. He is survived by his wife Tova, four children, five grandchildren, the large and mourning Village family and numerous colleagues and friends. Talpiot mourns the loss of a unique, warm and inspiring leader and high-class professional, who leaves behind him a thriving Village and many highly-accredited programs in the region, which will continue his legacy of dedication and commitment to the future wellbeing of the unfortunate children and families in Israel.

From Africa to Israel and back

The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda is based on Dr. Chaim Peri’s philosophy of a “community of meaning”

“I feel like it’s a miracle to come to the Village to live, because I was in a bad life. I don’t have parents. I don’t have a family. I was a street child living on the streets. Now I have hope for my life,” said Marcel whose mother, father, brothers and sister were all killed in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.

Marcel is one of the 1.2 million children robbed of their families, of their homes, and of their communities, but also of their hope for a viable future. Marcel, along with presently 250 children, whose ranks will eventually grow to 500, have at long last found a home in the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village.

Modeled in its philosophy and educational methodology after Israeli Youth Village Yemin Orde which was founded and is supported by British Youth Aliyah Child Rescue, the Village is the initiative of Mrs. Anne Heyman-Merrin of New York, whose vision, consistency and total devotion have brought about its existence. Agahozo Shalom has one primary aim: to heal the traumatized youth. Dr. Chaim Peri, Director of Yemin Orde Initiatives, who had been invited to Rwanda to give a training seminar says that “our philosophy and methodology were chosen by the founders as an inspiration and applicable model, with the hope that it will bring about a revolutionary change in child care in Africa and will contribute to elevating the collective public image of the Ethiopian community in Israel.”

“We mend the world by raising kids who believe
they can change the world. We try to instill in
their hearts that they are destined for leadership,
for greatness.” – Chaim Peri, Director of Yemin Orde Initiatives

Shimon Solomon, Ethiopian born graduate of Yemin Orde, is on site, playing a major role in the implementation of the Israeli youth village methodology in Rwanda.

Agahozo is the Kinyarwanda word for “a place where tears are dried,” and Shalom is Hebrew for “ peace.” The Village is situated on 143 acres of land that overlooks Lake Mugesera in Rwanda’s Eastern Province and includes group homes, a high school, science and computer labs, land for organic farming, a reforestation program, dining hall, counseling and medical facilities, and recreational fields. This comprehensive living and learning community provides security, structure, and unconditional support for young people who desperately need a healing environment.

The Power of Nature

The generous bequest left by Harold Goldwater z”l has transformed the entrance to the Talpiot Youth Village into a green oasis.

Whilst children’s emotional and educational needs are being met by Talpiot’s highly qualified professionals, until now, not enough resources have been spent on the appropriate environment in which children , who are burdened at such an early age, would be able to take reprieve from their daily routine and simply enjoy the natural beauty of their surroundings, of nature and all it can offer.

The recently laid landscaped garden enhances the therapeutic environment that is so much needed by Talpiot’s community – young and old. The project includes play areas, a green house, paved paths and lamp posts. Sometimes nature can provide healing where words and methods fail. The opportunity to take walks surrounded by shrubbery and flowers will now allow time for reflection, discussion and human exchange, expand horizons and allow thoughts to dwell for a while on the beauty of nature.

The plaque was erected in gratitude to the donor Harold Goldwater, in memory of his parents, Jack and Ada Goldwater and is embedded in a beautifully hewn rock which complements the garden design.

Preparing For Leadership – the Youth Aliyah Way

A new Village Programme in Hatzor prepares Youth Aliyah Village graduates in a gap year type programme for their future challenges.

The goals of the Mechina Program are manifold and go beyond preparing immigrant teens for service in the army and future leadership roles in the community. The programme teaches essential skills for military service as well as important leadership skills such as basic economics and financial management, understanding the democratic process, public speaking, and decision making. It also includes navigation and orienteering skills. The participants volunteer in the local community, with the elderly, new immigrants and youth-at-risk.

Your Unwanted Jewellery Can Give a Golden Future to a Child in Need

Every so often we all come across the odd gold earring, broken broach, unwanted bracelet or necklace, cast-away coin or cuff-link sitting at the bottom of our chest of drawers. They may not be worth a huge amount or they may no longer be fashionable and that’s probably why they’re sitting where they’re sitting! However, we at Youth Aliyah have a great way of ‘tidying up’ and turning an old find into a new benefit – a child’s golden opportunity!

All you have to do is call up or e-mail us, to get a Youth Aliyah jiffy bag, chuck the items in and send it back to us – easy peasy! info@youthaliyah.org.uk, or 020 8371 1580

Forthcoming Events

Comedy Night

Humour, the doctors say, is one of the best remedies. Taking medical advice to heart, Youth Aliyah Child Rescue, Young Professionals Together with JNF Future, is organizing a fabulous evening of comedy, entertainment and excellent company.

30th May 2010 at Highlight in Camden . For information please contact Nicola on 020 8371 1580 or email nicola@youthaliyah.org.uk

An Israeli Love Story

This play at the New End Theatre, Wednesday 2nd June 2010 at 20:30 is a monument to “all the wonderful young men who were prepared to die so that the State of Israel could be born” It begins in the summer of 1942 through a chance meeting at a bus stop between Margalit, young and vibrant, and Eli, an idealistic kibbutz pioneer and soldier in the Palmach (the unofficial army pre–state of Israel). Despite the many hardships and dangers of the times, their relationship develops. This innocently–told love story is interwoven with the values and problems of an era gone by, vividly capturing the characters and atmosphere of pre–state Israel. Winner of Best Israeli Actress 2009.

Wine & Cheese and Meet the Writer and Actress. For tickets (£27) please call 020 8371 1580 or email eva@youthaliyah.org.uk

Sponsored Walk/Run

Summer is Around the Corner: Keep Fit and Help Others!

Maccabi and Langdon! Here we come! To receive further information on how to join two fun runs and get sponsored, please call us on 020 8371 1580, email: info@youthaliyah.org.uk

Past Event

From Weimar to Tel Aviv – A Youth Aliyah Child Rescue Event at Ivy House

The programme of the Tel Aviv 101 event was entirely the accomplishment of Youth Aliyah Child Rescue donors: architect Lisette Khalastchi deliverd the Bauhaus presentation and Miriam Blum exhibited her private collection of Tel Aviv photographs.

This dream of building a city in a style both simple and functional, was based on ideas developed by Corbusier and other great architectural masters of the period, “said Khalastchi. Her talk – using splendid archival film footage and stills – interwove social and historical developments with the architectural ambitions of the time.

Miriam Blum’s beautiful photographic collection of Tel Aviv’s early social and cultural life contributed to an enriching and moving experience enjoyed by more than 150 guests, including representatives from the Imperial War Museum and the Israeli Embassy.

Turning dreams into reality is, of course, also the mission of the Youth Aliyah Villages. Here, thousands of children ‘at risk’ make the journey from victims to survivors, then with the help of Youth Aliyah’s educational and emotional guidance and inspiring professionals, their journey continues leading these survivors to become leaders. The evening event raised a total of £12,000.

“Tel Aviv 101”, the photographic exhibition is shown free of charge at the Ivy House, LJCC, 94-96 North End Road, NW11 til 6th May 2010. Please phone for times 020 8457 5000