Over one hundred toys were donated to the children living at The Beit Canada-Barnea Absorption Center in Ashkelon on Monday, January 8, at the Chen Hotel in Jerusalem when the first ever Project Yeledim took place. The toy drive was made possible by participants from Project OTZMA, a ten-month volunteer program for North American college graduates, and Canadian birthright israel participants whose communities helped to establish the absorption center.

Project OTZMA participants Brett Schor and Lauren Rosenberg, both from the Washington, DC-area, initiated the project in an effort to improve the quality of life for a segment of young new immigrants entering Israel.

"We were lucky enough to live at the absorption center for three months at the beginning of the OTZMA year," Rosenberg explained. "We really got to know the people living with us and were able to see what was needed to make improvements for the children. In addition, it is so important for birthright travelers who are coming here for the first time to learn about the new immigrants, such a significant aspect of modern Israeli society."

After months of planning, organizers say Project Yeledim was a huge success. At today's event, Rosenberg and Schor spoke briefly about their experiences living at Beit Canada-Barnea. Their remarks were followed by a slide show presentation depicting life at the center. Finally, a short thank you was given by the director of the absorption center, Yafik Zarka. Approximately 150 children living at The Beit Canada-Barnea Absorption Center will benefit from the donations.

"Each year Otzmanikim come and live at the center for a few months," Zarka explained. "And each year they manage to make a difference. I think this is one of the best examples yet. It really was a beautiful display of Diaspora-Israel relations."

"We would eventually like to see the scope of the toy drive expanded to all Birthright participants so that toys can be distributed to schools, hospitals and absorption centers around the country," Schor said.

Rosenberg and Schor are planning to collect more toys this February when another group of Canadian birthright travelers arrives.

OTZMA is a joint program of the North American Jewish Federations, represented by United Jewish Communities, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Israel Forum.

Tevet 5761 - January 2001