Education/Empowerment
The ESRA/Meyer Shapiro Skateboard Project
Description of the Project :
Youngsters from the distressed areas of Netanya find themselves with nothing to do in the afternoons and spend more and more time on the streets, often getting into trouble. We provide these youngsters with a sport, a skill, discipline training and self-confidence building, all through the enjoyment of one of the most popular sports – skateboarding.
How the Project Works :
Two groups of youngsters are taken to the Netanya Skatepark at the Winter Pond Park and given lessons in the art of skateboarding by two young adult skateboard experts.
The children are taken to the park from their homes in Neot Shaked and Nordau, escorted by two scholarship students from ESRA’s 'Students Build a Community' Project. The children are provided with all the equipment including helmets, knee and elbow guards, shoes and skateboards and learn self-control and self-discipline.
As they gain more control of their boards and learn to fall and get themselves up again, their self-confidence grows. And all this while having a wonderful time.
About the Participants :
26 teenagers, specially chosen (many of whom are pupils in ESRA’s Students Build a Community Projects),
2 group leaders.
The Partners :
Private donors
Additional Information :
If you would like to help fund, or be involved in any way, in ensuring the continued operation of this
worthy project, please contact: Herzliya Office - herzliyaoffice@esra.org.il or 09 9508371
The Costs :
The total cost for the 2 groups is: NIS 118,000 - this sum covers equipment, transport and teachers.
Tags: Education/Empowerment
JOURNEY TO IDENTITY
Description of the Project :
Ethiopian teenagers growing up in Israel today face a real identity crisis. They do not feel Israeli, they do not feel Ethiopian, and as a result they tend to be ambivalent towards both cultures.
We aim to create a sense of belonging and pride, both in their Israeli home and in their Ethiopian heritage, and to build self-confidence and leadership skills.
How the Project Works :
Participants are chosen from the many applicants. An eight-month course of weekly meetings teaches leadership skills, patriotism, Zionism, pride in their heritage and hope for the future.
The course culminates with a one week heritage trip to Ethiopia where they visit the villages their parents came from, experience the rural life they had led, and understand the very difficult route their parents took walking through Sudan to reach the holy Jerusalem.
They will also be able to meet family members who may still be there and whom they have never known.
The experience gives these teenagers an insight into their heritage, a sense of pride in the centuries of Judaism practiced in Ethiopia, a new regard for their parents’ difficult paths and a new feeling of belonging not to the past, but to Israel and the present.
About the Participants :
15 teenagers, specially chosen (many of whom were pupils in ESRA’s Students Build a Community Projects), 5 group leaders and escorts for the trip to Ethiopia.
The Partners :
The Umbrella Organisation of Community Centers
The Hefzibah and Neot Ganim Community Centers
Additional Information :
If you would like to help fund, or be involved in any way, to help ensure the continued operation of this
worthy project, please contact: Herzliya Office 09 9508371 or email herzliyaoffice@esra.org.il ?subject=Journey%20To%20Identity%20Project">herzliyaoffice@esra.org.il
Or just click on the link to make an online donation http://www.esra.org.il/donations-esra
The Costs :
Required funding for the trip to Ethiopia: NIS 90,000
Weekly activities: NIS 12,500
The pupils work during the summer holidays and each pay NIS 2,500 = NIS 37,500
The Community Centers Organization NIS 30,000
ESRA Funding NIS 35,000
Tags: Education/Empowerment
'Volume' Music Center, Netanya
Description of the Project :
This project provides an opportunity for young people to develop their musical talents through listening and playing music, receiving professional training and strengthening their connection to Israeli music culture.The world of music plays a key role in the world of youth and is a significant expression of their attitudes and emotions. The identification of "What music I hear" is often the identification of "which group I belong to."
Our aim is to provide a creative educational framework, attractive and meaningful to youth, thereby reducing their involvement in and exposure to violence and vandalism.
The center is an open house for local teens for learning, recreation and leisure.
How the Project Works :
The center operates 3 times a week (with the possibility of 5 times a week at a later date) from 15:00- 21:00 throughout the year, staffed by professional youth workers, teachers and volunteers.Musical talent will be developed alongside social and educational enrichment, teaching values of patience, empathy, teamwork, cooperation and community involvement.
About the Participants :
The “Volume” Center in the Hefzibah neighbourhood will provide a social & educational music center for the teenagers of the Hefzibah and Neot Ganim communities, bringing together different cultures through their common interest in music.
The Partners :
Cellcom“Chevra Lematnasim” (Community Center Society)
East Netanya Community Center
Hefzibah Community Center
ESRA
Additional Information :
Starting in 2006, Cellcom and the Community Center Society have opened 21 'Volume' centers in the country. ESRA is very proud to be a partner in the newest Center.
The Costs :
Details to come
Martin's Men
Description of the Project :
This project, conceived in 2013 to honour the memory of Martin Peled ז''ל , takes pupils from an ORT school in Kfar Saba and gives them the tools (literally and figuratively) to brighten up their world a little, as well as helping their neighbours.
How the Project Works :
Renovations expert, Philip Symon, (Martin's brother-in-law) first teaches pupils the techniques they will need, and then takes them into Kfar Saba to spruce up public and private buildings (of disadvantaged communities.)
About the Participants :
Youth aged 14 - 17 from an ORT school in Kfar Saba, who are happy to learn a new trade and to contribute to the community they live in.
The Partners :
ESRA, ORT Kfar Saba and the Kfar Saba Municipality
Additional Information :
"Martin's Men" was born from his family's wish to honour the memory of Martin Peled, who died much too young from pancreatic cancer.
Click here to view a YouTube film of the project made by ESRAvision volunteers.
The Costs :
Purchasing paint (in addition to the paint donated by companies)
Purchasing other equipment such as brushes, ladders
Organising an end-of-year special day for the pupils (for example at a water park, or an outing of their choice).
Paying painters to supervise teams of our pupils so that they can get to more buildings.
NIS 100 buys brushes
NIS 350 buys a ladder
NIS 500 buys paint
NIS 1000 pays for professional supervision
To donate online please click on this link, or call our Gan Rashal office 09-950 8371. Thank you for your generosity
Neve ESRA After School care centre
Description of the Project :
Neve (Oasis) is an aptly descriptive term for an afternoon care center for a group of 15 high-risk children in the city, who need to be kept out of the home but not entirely away from the family hearth.
The underlying aim of Neve ESRA, which has a permanent staff of 3 adults, is to protect these children from potential and irreversible harm by providing them with a warm, secure and supportive environment.
They are further empowered through an array of enrichment activities funded by ESRA Modiin that includes support groups, didactic evaluations, remedial teaching, therapeutic programs, outings, and purchases from furniture to computers, and from indoor games to an all-weather outdoor football table.
How the Project Works :
Neve ESRA is open 11½ months a year, 5 days a week from 12:30 - 17:00.
Children are bussed in from school, receive a hot, nutritious meal at midday, alongside schoolwork assistance and afternoon enrichment programs.
Once a week they have bi-lingual volunteers running fun activities in English as a way of learning the language. Now also includes an Excellence Program where children attend institutions of higher learning; Once a week kids are transported to a local Ecological Farm and given lunch.
About the Participants :
17 children from 9-12 years, from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Each child in Neve ESRA is hand-picked by a professional committee due to difficult conditions at home affecting his/her emotional and physical well-being.
The Partners :
The Welfare Department in the Modi’in Municipality.
Additional Information :
ESRA Modi’in is indebted to the Galinson Advised Fund for their generous donation which enables a facilitator for the parent’s support group, evaluations and remedial teaching for all the children, furnishings in the Therapy Room, a new computer and a range of other items.ESRA Modi’in sponsors ongoing needs such as enrichment programs, household items and gifts for the children. ESRA Modi’in initiated an English enrichment program where three professional English teacher volunteers regularly assist children with their English homework and promote spoken English through games and other activities.
The Costs :
Midday meals, facilitator for parent support group, professional evaluations, remedial teaching, special ed teachers, transportation, enrichment activities, outings.
Neighborhood Computer Centers
Description of the Project :
Innovative teaching of computer skills to underprivileged children, youth and adults.
Anyone growing up in a home without a computer is at a huge disadvantage, placing them at the wrong end of the educational and cultural gap. With teachers increasingly emailing students and parents regarding assignments, children without computer skills, as well as their parents, are left behind.
How the Project Works :
ESRA Computer Centers offer children courses in basic computer skills and help them with online learning of mathematics, science and English. Some advanced computer skills, including competence in digital photography, are also taught through games and use of the Internet.
Courses for adults include basic computer skills and use of the Internet, particularly Facebook, to enable them to keep abreast of their children's and grandchildren's activities.
About the Participants :
40 children and teenagers from pre-school to matriculation.20 Ethiopian adults.
The Partners :
Netanya:Neot Shaked Community Center
Heftzibah Community Center
Neot Ganim Community Center
Additional Information :
The Costs :
Required annual funding:For professional staff, equipment, maintenance and administration:
Neot Shaked Computer Center: NIS 60,000
Heftzibah Computer Center: NIS 40,000
In addition, we we need to replace our old, outdated computers so any help you can give will be appreciated.
Tags: Education/Empowerment
Programmes of Excellence
Description of the Project :
Encouraging talented underprivileged teenagers to fulfill their potential by providing them with a challenging program of enrichment and leadership training at the Ruppin Institute of Marine Science. Two programs have been running since September 2011. The programs choose talented children in the 7th grade from lower socio-economic levels. The programs run for 2 years each and are today fully integrated, choosing children from all backgrounds of Israeli society.
How the Project Works :
The teenagers are given courses in biology, chemistry, computer skills, marine science and ecology once a week for 3 hours. They are collected from school and given lunch on the way. ESRA has established a community garden in the Institute as a way for the children to "give back" into the community that is enriching them. Two Students from ESRA's Students Build a Community Projects receive extra scholarships to lead these two groups.
About the Participants :
7th & 8th grade highly motivated children from underprivileged areas in Netanya's schools are taken to the Ruppin Marine Science Institute in Mevuoth Yam, Mikhmoret
The Partners :
Private Donors
Additional Information :
ESRA provides these two groups with a 2 year course which gives them not only academic advancement, but also leadership and life skills.
The Costs :
Transport, Professional Staff, Food, Equipment and Administration. 
Right Track Centers for Youth
Description of the Project :
Right Track Centers are part of ESRA's 'GIVE A CHILD A FUTURE' group of projects and provide a 'home away from home' for teenagers at risk.
4 centers provide afternoon social activities and help with homework, for children aged 13 - 17. ESRA is currenttly working in 3 of the centers
ESRA pays for 8 teachers who give supplementary lessons.
4 centers provide afternoon social activities and help with homework, for children aged 13 - 17. ESRA is currenttly working in 3 of the centers
ESRA pays for 8 teachers who give supplementary lessons.
How the Project Works :
The centers operate from Sunday to Thursday 17:00 - 20:00 throughout the year, staffed by professional teachers and youth workers, and aided by ESRA volunteers.
ESRA's funding of professional teachers in Hebrew, English, Mathematics, Bible & History Tuition provides tuition to ensure that each youngster will attain the best test results possible, right through to matriculation level.
In addition, the children receive counseling and courses such as preparation for the army, navigation, drama and computer activities. There are also films and lectures on a variety of topics.
ESRA's funding of professional teachers in Hebrew, English, Mathematics, Bible & History Tuition provides tuition to ensure that each youngster will attain the best test results possible, right through to matriculation level.
In addition, the children receive counseling and courses such as preparation for the army, navigation, drama and computer activities. There are also films and lectures on a variety of topics.
About the Participants :
Over 240 participants in total attend these centers from the Netanya neighborhoods of Kiryat Nordau, Neot Shaked, Neot Herzl & Neot Ganim (including Hefzibah)
ESRA participates in tutoring of over 80 of these children.
ESRA participates in tutoring of over 80 of these children.
The Partners :
The Municipality of Netanya - The Department of Youth AdvancementThe Hefzibah Community Center
ESRA
Additional Information :
ESRA also helps financially with outings, trips and snacks for the youngsters from time to time.Donations of TV’s, sports equipment, computers and monitors are welcome.
The Costs :
8 professional teachers, on a daily basis throughout the year: NIS 150,000Summer trip for the participants: NIS 3,000
Snacks: NIS 2,000
Please follow the link to donate to this project - Thank you.
'Bayit Cham' Clubhouse for Girls
Description of the Project :
A clubhouse in Netanya creates a 'home away from home' in the afternoons for 13-17 year old girls at risk, offering a safe, warm environment of social and counselling activities.
How the Project Works :
NETANYA: The center operates daily Sunday to Thursday from 12:30 – 18:30 throughout the year, staffed by professional social workers.
- Hot lunches supplied by ESRA
- Individual and group counselling
- Lectures on a variety of topics
- Assistance with homework (ESRA volunteers help with English homework)
- Arts and Crafts, baking, games and other activities
- Television and computers for use by girls
About the Participants :
NETANYA: 40 teenage girls, mainly of Ethiopian origin.
The clubhouse is in the Nordau area - where ESRA also has a 'Students Build a Neighborhood Project', a 'Right Track Center' and a Sewing Center.
The Partners :
The Municipality of Netanya - Welfare Department of Girls at Risk
Additional Information :
Translation of Letter from The Netanya Municipality, Welfare Dept (Teenage Girls Division)
To: ESRA
18.12.2014
Subject: Thank You for Your Participation in “Bayit Cham”.
We would like to thank you and express our appreciation for your participation in our Bayit Cham over the last several years and in several different areas.
First of all, we would like to thank the wonderful volunteers who come on a daily basis to help the girls with their English. The volunteers have improved the grades and motivated the girls of Bayit Cham to succeed.
We would also like to thank ESRA for the very important donation of hot lunches for these girls, which is the only hot meal they get all day.
And we’d like to mention the special activities that were provided by ESRA over the past year, including kickboxing, a trip to the movies during the summer holidays, and more.
The highlight of the activities was inviting the girls to participate in the ESRA Netanya Crafts Fair in November where the girls prepared their own handiwork and were given a stand at the Fair to sell their wares. The stall was a great success. The girls learnt the value of preparing and selling their own crafts, the value of their investment and respect for the money they earned.
It is very important for us to thank especially Esther Tolkin, the wonderful ESRA volunteer who works with us all the way through.
With great appreciation
Yaffa Cohen – Manager of the Service to Teenage Girls Department
Staff of Bayit Cham
Welfare Dept – Netanya Municipality.
The Costs :
Professional Staff, Equipment, Meals and Administration.
NIS 100 pays for 8 meals for one week.
NIS 500 pays for art therapy for 1 girl for 3 months.
NIS 1000 supports an activity for all the girls for a month.
Sewing Courses for Ethiopian Adults and Pensioners
Description of the Project :
5 centers provide sewing courses for adult Ethiopian men and women providing skills, social meetings and work!
How the Project Works :
ESRA pays for instruction by qualified teachers and purchases material, accessories and sewing machines. Volunteers assist in teaching, maintaining the machines and collecting donated material and machines.
The adults - men and women, young and pensioners - are taught the skills to make and repair clothing. They are given sewing machines to take home, enabling them to sew for profit. The project also serves as a social activity for the participants.
About the Participants :
Instruction and practice in small groups (some of whom are physically handicapped) once or twice weekly.
Total number of participants: 70-80 adults in the 25 - 70 age bracket.
The centers are in Netanya, Kfar Saba and Sderoth.
The Partners :
Neot Shaked Community Center
Hefzibah Community Center
Youth Advancement Dept of Netanya Municipality
Kfar Saba Ethiopian Community Center
Sderot 'Atzmaut' Ethiopian Community Center
Additional Information :
Netanya: Once weekly in each of 3 centers
Kfar Saba: Once weekly
Sderot: Once weekly
The participants are also given an annual day trip to places of interest in Israel.
The Costs :
Professional Staff, Equipment and Administration.
NIS 100 provides 2 pairs of scissors
NIS 500 provides 6 months of thread and needles
NIS 1000 provides professional staff for 1 group for 1 month
Please donate generously and help these communities to help themselves. Click here to donate
Five centers in Netanya, Sderoth and Kfar Saba provide sewing courses for adult Ethiopian men and women providing skills, social centers and work!
ESRA supplies sewing machines, fabric and pays for instruction by a qualified teacher and volunteers are on hand to assist.