Sam receiving certificate of appreciation from Karni Ballas (center). Right: Taly Sukenik

Youth Club Dedicated in Kiryat Bialik Through generous donation from a Bar-Mitzvah boy and his family

Sam Harris from Boca Raton, Florida, and his family donated a significant amount of his bar-mitzvah gifts to purchase games, computers and equipment to a youth club in Kiryat Bialik, their partnered community within the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000. Sam is a grandson of Stewart Harris, Chair of the Board at the Jewish Federation of SPBC. The generous donation was dedicated to the memory of Stewart's father, Pinchas, who passed away recently.

The youth club was dedicated in a ceremony attended by Sam and his parents, Jodi and Jeffrey, his grandparents, Gloria and Stewart, and many more family members. Mrs. Karni Ballas, Head of Culture Dept in KB, presented Sam with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of Mayor Rafi Wertheim, who was unable to attend the event.

Taly Sukenik, head of the Youth Advancement unit, thanked Sam and his parents for this generous donation that helps make the youth club homey and pleasant for its users. She explained that the place is open 3 times weekly for youths aged 13-18, providing for them a valuable, cultural environment with the guidance of experienced professional counselors. Also attended the event Shosh Sukenik, head of the Welfare Dept in KB, Eshel Fram, Partnership Director for the Jewish Agency, and Gidi Shilo, P2K steering committee chair for KB. Many of the kids who visit the club regularly came to thank Sam for his generosity and to share a game of foozball with him.

Jodi Harris told P2K staff about a program she is promoting these days in Boca called Club 13. The program aims to encourage more Bar/Bat Mitzvah kids to follow Sam's lead and share their gifts with kids from their partnered community in Israel.

The Harris family next to the honor plaque in memory of Pinchas Harris

Sam (right) enjoying one of the items he donated with his new friends