Sunday, November 21, 2010

sports Day 2010


Sports Day 2010 in Jerusalem was again a great hit.

The students didn't want to leave the learning behind, but after remembering the good times of our past trips, decided to make the treck down to the park.

At the park our Social Workers took the time to welcome the new students and to play a friendly name memory game. It was great to see how the students are united and care about each other in a deep way.

After the social acitvity we came to the important stuff -Soccer.
The Rabbis again showed off their abilities, and were by far the best our there, but some of the students, especially the goalies on both teams had flashes of genious.
Ariel the social worker proved to be a great addition to our soccer team. I think that when we finally have a tournament against Ramat Gan, Jerusalem will surely win the soccer part of it.

After all the games we had our traditional spread. Bread and hummus, cold cuts and soda... we were set!

The day ended as we layed exhusted on the grass, energized to take on the world.
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

One Year In Ramat Gan

I am so pleased! I am so excited!
These 2 weeks (between the Hebrew and English dates) mark our one year anniversary in Ramat Gan. We are definatly on the right track.
I must thank our staff, who are amazing and work together to achieve the most incredible things. We learned how to assist each other and use each one's strengths.
One month ago we had a great addition, Moshe, who's job is to help our students integrate back into society. In the past couple of weeks, he helped 4 of our students integrate in a most meaningful way. One is an assistant teacher, one is an assitant gardner, one works in a supermarket, and one is starting to learn in a regular Yeshiva a couple times a week and in the afternoons. And more are on the way.
I am happy to say WE ARE CHANGING THE WORLD, and I am so so proud.

Monday, November 1, 2010

English Speakers Program

After a very long time we finally took the plunge and opened an English speakers track. It was very hard for me to turn people away from the program, but language is the most basic tools that we need for rehabilitation and integration.

Finally, we decided to go for it. We took the amazing Rabbi Barry Rosen as the leader of the group. He sits with the students lifts them up and gives them hope. There are not enough words to describe his dedication and level of caring, and he is showing amazing results.

People who we thought were mute, are speaking. People who we thought did not believe in their ability to get up in the morning and keep a schedule are doing the unbelievable.

Thank you Rabbi and good luck to us all.