March 21, 2007 / 2 Nissan 5767

Education. Excellence. Enrichment. Equal Opportunity. The pillars of a strong society. The foundations for a bright and prosperous future, shared by all citizens of Israel. This is the mission we at Atidim, together with you, are striving to fulfill.

“I never heard of a program that supports motivated kids in development towns. Here in Lod, there is so much energy spent on keeping kids off the streets, that there’s not much left to help those of us who want to succeed.”

With his dark wavy hair and natural good looks, Yossi Lahiany (16) epitomizes the cool, native-born Israeli teenager. But beneath this façade, is a teenager, fast approaching adulthood, who wants to succeed.

Yossi attends Lod’s High School for Science, where he excels in biology and chemistry. When he encounters difficulties with his studies however, he has no one to turn to for help.

When his guidance counselor told Yossi that the Pre-Atidim Program was coming to his school, Yossi was eager to sign up. “Atidim is helping me to advance,” says Yossi. “I am receiving help in math and
English, and this has given me more confidence. I know that if I don’t understand something, I can go to my Atidim teachers and they will explain things to me.”

Yossi wants to graduate from high school with Honors, serve in the army and then continue his studies at university. He is very self-motivated and plans to be a doctor.

The Pre-Atidim Program gives extra assistance to students like Yossi. Each student receives individualized assistance in order to help them achieve an advanced high-school diploma. Additional enrichment activities such as university lectures, volunteer work, summer camps, and challenge activities, provide further opportunities for social and personal development.

In its first year (2002), the Pre-Atidim Program operated in 40 schools in 20 development towns, reaching approximately 2,000 high school students. The program has been so successful that it is now operating in 110 schools in more than 50 towns, reaching 8,000 students. The goal is to reach 20,000 students per year over the next few years.

The average cost to support one student is $1,100 per year.

For more information: ask@jewishagency.org.il

Atidim is a joint partnership of Friends of Atidim Association, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Israeli government ministries, the private sector and non-profit organizations.