September 2, 2009 / 13 Elul 5769

For the 142 boys and girls studying at the Kiryat Yearim Youth Aliyah Village, September 1st was not just the first day of another school year. For these young people, the fact that they are enrolled in school and attending classes is extraordinary. The students, in grades 7-12, are all considered to be youth at-risk and have not done well in other regular school environments. They rely on the attention and intervention of the Jewish Agency’s network of Youth Aliyah Villages, like Kiryat Yearim, for the care they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
 
It was also the first day of Kiryat Yearim’s first 12th grade. The class’s scholastic achievements from the previous year were outstanding: 100% of the students who took the matriculation exam in computers passed; many others received high scores that they themselves say would be impossible if not for Kiryat Yearim. As one student says, “[I] achieve high results because I get the help I need to do well in school and in life. I know that I can count on my teachers and counselors, friends and classmates for support…”

A special back-to-school evening event was held on the campus. Activities included a performance of the famous Kiryat Yearim choir as well as presentations by students and teachers.

This year, one-third of the student body is new to Kiryat Yearim. 60% of the students are of Ethiopian descent, 20% are from the former Soviet Union, 4% are from Latin America, and the remaining students are native Israeli youngsters.

To hear and see the Kiryat Yearim choir’s latest hits visit http://www.youtube.com/QYearim

To learn more about Kiryat Yearim and other Jewish Agency Youth Aliyah Villages, please click here.